Isaiah

Isaiah 40:4–11

4Every valley shall be lifted up,

and every mountain and hill made low;

the uneven ground will become smooth,

and the rugged land a plain.c

5And the glory of the LORD will be revealed,

and all humanity together will see it.”d

For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

6A voice says, “Cry out!”

And I asked, “What should I cry out?”

“All flesh is like grass,

and all its glory like the flowers of the field.

7The grass withers and the flowers fall

when the breath of the LORD blows on them;

indeed, the people are grass.

8The grass withers and the flowers fall,

but the word of our God stands forever.”e

9Go up on a high mountain,

O Zion, herald of good news.

Raise your voice loudly,

O Jerusalem, herald of good news.

Lift it up,f

do not be afraid!

Say to the cities of Judah,

“Here is your God!”

10Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might,

and His arm establishes His rule.

His reward is with Him,

and His recompense accompanies Him.

11He tends His flock like a shepherd;

He gathers the lambs in His arms

and carries them close to His heart.

He gently leads the nursing ewes.

Footnotes

  • c 40:4 LXX Every valley shall be filled in, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low. All the crooked ways shall become straight, and the rough places plains.Cited in Luke 3:5|LUK 3:5
  • d 40:5 Literally and all flesh together will see it.Cited in Luke 3:6|LUK 3:6
  • e 40:8 Cited in 1 Peter 1:24–25|1PE 1:24-25
  • f 40:9 Or O herald of good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. O herald of good news to Jerusalem, lift it up,

Read all of Isaiah 40

Word by word

Each English word or phrase beside the Hebrew it translates, in the order of the English. Choose a number to open that word’s study.

Isaiah 40:4

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
Everyכָּל־kāl-Noun - masculine singular constructH3605 the whole, all
valleyגֶּיא֙geNoun - common singular constructH1516 valley
shall be lifted upיִנָּשֵׂ֔אyin·nā·śêVerb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularH5375 lift, take, carry
and everyוְכָל־wə·ḵālConjunctive waw; Noun - masculine singular constructH3605 the whole, all
mountainהַ֥רharNoun - masculine singularH2022 mountain, hill, hill-country
and hillוְגִבְעָ֖הwə·ḡiḇ·‘āhConjunctive waw; Noun - feminine singularH1389 hill
made lowיִשְׁפָּ֑לוּyiš·pā·lūVerb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine pluralH8213 be or become low, be abased
the unevenהֶֽעָקֹב֙he·‘ā·qōḇArticle; Adjective - masculine singularH6121 insidious, deceitful
will becomeוְהָיָ֤הwə·hā·yāhConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularH1961 fall out, come to pass, become, be
smoothלְמִישׁ֔וֹרlə·mî·šō·wrPreposition-l; Noun - masculine singularH4334 level place, uprightness
and the rugged landוְהָרְכָסִ֖יםwə·hā·rə·ḵā·sîmConjunctive waw, Article; Noun - masculine pluralH7406 ridge, tied
a plainלְבִקְעָֽה׃lə·ḇiq·‘āhPreposition-l; Noun - feminine singularH1237 valley

Isaiah 40:5

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
And the gloryכְּב֣וֹדkə·ḇō·wḏNoun - masculine singular constructH3519 abundance, honour, glory
of the LORDיְהוָ֑הYah·wehNoun - proper - masculine singularH3068 Yahweh
will be revealedוְנִגְלָ֖הwə·niḡ·lāhConjunctive waw; Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularH1540 uncover, remove
and allכָל־ḵālNoun - masculine singular constructH3605 the whole, all
humanityבָּשָׂר֙bā·śārNoun - masculine singularH1320 flesh
togetherיַחְדָּ֔וyaḥ·dāwAdverbH3162 unitedness
will see itוְרָא֤וּwə·rā·’ūConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common pluralH7200 see
Forכִּ֛יkîConjunctionH3588 burning, branding
the mouthפִּ֥יpîNoun - masculine singular constructH6310 mouth
of the LORDיְהוָ֖הYah·wehNoun - proper - masculine singularH3068 Yahweh
has spokenדִּבֵּֽר׃סdib·bêrVerb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singularH1696 speak

Isaiah 40:6

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
A voiceק֚וֹלqō·wlNoun - masculine singularH6963 sound, voice
saysאֹמֵ֣ר’ō·mêrVerb - Qal - Participle - masculine singularH559 utter, say
Cry outקְרָ֔אqə·rāVerb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singularH7121 call, proclaim, read
And I askedוְאָמַ֖רwə·’ā·marConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularH559 utter, say
Whatמָ֣הmāhInterrogativeH4100 what? how? aught
should I cry outאֶקְרָ֑א’eq·rāVerb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singularH7121 call, proclaim, read
Allכָּל־kāl-Noun - masculine singular constructH3605 the whole, all
fleshהַבָּשָׂ֣רhab·bā·śārArticle; Noun - masculine singularH1320 flesh
is like grassחָצִ֔ירḥā·ṣîrNoun - masculine singularH2682 green grass, herbage
and allוְכָל־wə·ḵālConjunctive waw; Noun - masculine singular constructH3605 the whole, all
its gloryחַסְדּ֖וֹḥas·dōwNoun - masculine singular construct; third person masculine singularH2617 goodness, kindness
like the flowersכְּצִ֥יץkə·ṣîṣPreposition-k; Noun - masculine singular constructH6731 blossom, flower.
of the fieldהַשָּׂדֶֽה׃haś·śā·ḏehArticle; Noun - masculine singularH7704 id.

Isaiah 40:7

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
The grassחָצִיר֙ḥā·ṣîrNoun - masculine singularH2682 green grass, herbage
withersיָבֵ֤שׁyā·ḇêšVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularH3001 be dry, dried up, withered
the flowersצִ֔יץṣîṣNoun - masculine singularH6731 blossom, flower.
fallנָ֣בֵֽלnā·ḇêlVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularH5034 be senseless, foolish
whenכִּ֛יkîConjunctionH3588 burning, branding
the breathר֥וּחַrū·aḥNoun - common singular constructH7307 breath, wind, spirit
of the LORDיְהוָ֖הYah·wehNoun - proper - masculine singularH3068 Yahweh
blowsנָ֣שְׁבָהnā·šə·ḇāhVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singularH5380 blow
on themבּ֑וֹbōwPreposition; third person masculine singular
indeedאָכֵ֥ן’ā·ḵênAdverbH403 surely, truly
the peopleהָעָֽם׃hā·‘āmArticle; Noun - masculine singularH5971 people
are grassחָצִ֖ירḥā·ṣîrNoun - masculine singularH2682 green grass, herbage

Isaiah 40:8

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
The grassחָצִ֖ירḥā·ṣîrNoun - masculine singularH2682 green grass, herbage
withersיָבֵ֥שׁyā·ḇêšVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularH3001 be dry, dried up, withered
the flowersצִ֑יץṣîṣNoun - masculine singularH6731 blossom, flower.
fallנָ֣בֵֽלnā·ḇêlVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularH5034 be senseless, foolish
but the wordוּדְבַר־ū·ḏə·ḇar-Conjunctive waw; Noun - masculine singular constructH1697 speech, word
of our Godאֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ’ĕ·lō·hê·nūNoun - masculine plural construct; first person common pluralH430 God
standsיָק֥וּםyā·qūmVerb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularH6965 arise, stand up, stand
foreverלְעוֹלָֽם׃סlə·‘ō·w·lāmPreposition-l; Noun - masculine singularH5769 long duration, antiquity, futurity

Isaiah 40:9

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
Go upעֲלִי־‘ă·lî-Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine singularH5927 go up, ascend, climb
onעַ֣ל‘alPrepositionH5921 height
a highגָּבֹ֤הַgā·ḇō·haAdjective - masculine singularH1364 high, exalted
mountainהַר־har-Noun - masculine singularH2022 mountain, hill, hill-country
O Zionצִיּ֔וֹןṣî·yō·wnNoun - proper - feminine singularH6726 Zion
herald of good newsמְבַשֶּׂ֣רֶתmə·ḇaś·śe·reṯVerb - Piel - Participle - feminine singular constructH1319 bear tidings
Raiseהָרִ֤ימִיhā·rî·mîVerb - Hifil - Imperative - feminine singularH7311 be high, exalted, rise
your voice loudlyקוֹלֵ֔ךְqō·w·lêḵNoun - masculine singular construct; second person feminine singularH6963 sound, voice
O Jerusalemיְרוּשָׁלִָ֑םyə·rū·šā·limNoun - proper - feminine singularH3389 Jerusalem
herald of good newsמְבַשֶּׂ֖רֶתmə·ḇaś·śe·reṯVerb - Piel - Participle - feminine singular constructH1319 bear tidings
Liftהָרִ֙ימִי֙hā·rî·mîVerb - Hifil - Imperative - feminine singularH7311 be high, exalted, rise
do notאַל־’al-AdverbH408 prohibition, do not . . ., let not . . .
be afraidתִּירָ֔אִיtî·rā·’îVerb - Qal - Imperfect - second person feminine singularH3372 fear
Sayאִמְרִי֙’im·rîVerb - Qal - Imperative - feminine singularH559 utter, say
to the citiesלְעָרֵ֣יlə·‘ā·rêPreposition-l; Noun - feminine plural constructH5892 excitement
of Judahיְהוּדָ֔הyə·hū·ḏāhNoun - proper - masculine singularH3063 Judah
Hereהִנֵּ֖הhin·nêhInterjectionH2009 lo! behold!
is your Godאֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃’ĕ·lō·hê·ḵemNoun - masculine plural construct; second person masculine pluralH430 God

Isaiah 40:10

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
Beholdהִנֵּ֨הhin·nêhInterjectionH2009 lo! behold!
the Lordאֲדֹנָ֤י’ă·ḏō·nāyNoun - proper - masculine singularH136 lord
GODיְהוִה֙Yah·wehNoun - proper - masculine singularH3069 Yahweh
comesיָב֔וֹאyā·ḇō·wVerb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularH935 come in, come, go in, go
with mightבְּחָזָ֣קbə·ḥā·zāqPreposition-b; Adjective - masculine singularH2389 strong, stout, mighty
and His armוּזְרֹע֖וֹū·zə·rō·‘ōwConjunctive waw; Noun - feminine singular construct; third person masculine singularH2220 arm, shoulder, strength
establishes His ruleמֹ֣שְׁלָהmō·šə·lāhVerb - Qal - Participle - feminine singularH4910 rule, have dominion, reign
His rewardשְׂכָרוֹ֙śə·ḵā·rōwNoun - masculine singular construct; third person masculine singularH7939 hire, wages
is with Himאִתּ֔וֹ’it·tōwPreposition; third person masculine singularH854 with
and His recompenseוּפְעֻלָּת֖וֹū·p̄ə·‘ul·lā·ṯōwConjunctive waw; Noun - feminine singular construct; third person masculine singularH6468 work, recompence
accompanies Himלְפָנָֽיו׃lə·p̄ā·nāwPreposition-l; Noun - common plural construct; third person masculine singularH6440 face, before

Isaiah 40:11

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
He tendsכְּרֹעֶה֙kə·rō·‘ehPreposition-k; Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singularH7462 pasture, tend, graze
His flockעֶדְר֣וֹ‘eḏ·rōwNoun - masculine singular construct; third person masculine singularH5739 flock, herd
like a shepherdיִרְעֶ֔הyir·‘ehVerb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularH7462 pasture, tend, graze
He gathersיְקַבֵּ֣ץyə·qab·bêṣVerb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singularH6908 gather, collect
the lambsטְלָאִ֔יםṭə·lā·’îmNoun - masculine pluralH2922 lamb
in His armsבִּזְרֹעוֹ֙biz·rō·‘ōwPreposition-b; Noun - feminine singular construct; third person masculine singularH2220 arm, shoulder, strength
and carries themיִשָּׂ֑אyiś·śāVerb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularH5375 lift, take, carry
close to His heartוּבְחֵיק֖וֹū·ḇə·ḥê·qōwConjunctive waw, Preposition-b; Noun - masculine singular construct; third person masculine singularH2436 bosom
He gently leadsיְנַהֵֽל׃סyə·na·hêlVerb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singularH5095 lead, guide to a watering-place (or station), and cause to rest there; bring to a…
the nursingעָל֖וֹת‘ā·lō·wṯVerb - Qal - Participle - feminine pluralH5763 give suck

Cross-references

Other passages that speak to the same thing. Point at one to read it.

Isaiah 40:4 Luke 3:5 · Ezekiel 21:26 · Luke 18:14 · Isaiah 42:15–16 · Isaiah 45:2 · Ezekiel 17:24 · Job 40:11–13 · Luke 1:52–53 · Isaiah 2:12–15 · Psalm 113:7–8 · 1 Samuel 2:8 · Isaiah 42:11

Isaiah 40:5 Habakkuk 2:14 · Isaiah 52:10 · Joel 2:28 · 2 Corinthians 4:6 · Luke 3:6 · Isaiah 60:1 · Acts 2:17 · Psalm 72:19 · Isaiah 6:3 · Isaiah 11:9 · Isaiah 58:14 · John 1:14

Isaiah 40:6 Psalm 103:15–16 · 1 Peter 1:24–25 · James 1:10–11 · Psalm 102:11 · Job 14:2 · Isaiah 58:1 · Psalm 90:5–6 · Psalm 92:7 · Isaiah 61:1–2 · Jeremiah 2:2 · Jeremiah 31:6 · Isaiah 40:3

Isaiah 40:7 Job 41:21

Isaiah 40:8 Mark 13:31 · Matthew 24:35 · 1 Peter 1:25 · Psalm 119:89–91 · Matthew 5:18 · Isaiah 55:10–11 · Isaiah 46:10–11 · John 10:35 · Isaiah 59:21 · John 12:34 · Zechariah 1:6 · Romans 3:1–3

Isaiah 40:9 Isaiah 52:7–8 · Ephesians 6:19 · Isaiah 12:2 · Isaiah 25:9 · Isaiah 61:1 · Acts 2:14 · Isaiah 41:27 · Luke 24:47 · Jeremiah 22:20 · 1 Peter 3:14 · Philippians 1:28–29 · Isaiah 51:12

Isaiah 40:10 Revelation 22:12 · Revelation 17:14 · Isaiah 62:11 · Matthew 28:18 · Isaiah 49:4 · Isaiah 9:6–7 · Philippians 2:10–11 · John 12:15 · 1 John 3:8 · Ephesians 1:20–22 · Zechariah 2:8–11 · Isaiah 59:15–60:22

Isaiah 40:11 Revelation 7:17 · Psalm 23:1–6 · Micah 5:4 · Ezekiel 34:23 · John 10:11–16 · 1 Peter 2:25 · Ezekiel 34:12–14 · Isaiah 49:9–10 · Ezekiel 34:31 · John 21:15–17 · Psalm 78:71–72 · 1 Peter 5:4

Cross-references from OpenBible.info, used under CC BY 4.0. The best-supported references for each verse are shown.

Scripture text: Berean Standard Bible.