Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. New Living Translation Fill in the valleys, and level the mountains and hills. Straighten the curves, and smooth out the rough places. English Standard Version Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. Berean Standard Bible Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill made low; the uneven ground will become smooth, and the rugged land a plain. King James Bible Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: New King James Version Every valley shall be exalted And every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight And the rough places smooth; New American Standard Bible “Let every valley be lifted up, And every mountain and hill be made low; And let the uneven ground become a plain, And the rugged terrain a broad valley; NASB 1995 “Let every valley be lifted up, And every mountain and hill be made low; And let the rough ground become a plain, And the rugged terrain a broad valley; NASB 1977 “Let every valley be lifted up, And every mountain and hill be made low; And let the rough ground become a plain, And the rugged terrain a broad valley; Legacy Standard Bible Let every valley be lifted up, And every mountain and hill be made low; And let the rough ground become a plain, And the rugged terrain a broad valley; Amplified Bible “Every valley shall be raised, And every mountain and hill be made low; And let the rough ground become a plain, And the rugged places a broad valley. Christian Standard Bible Every valley will be lifted up, and every mountain and hill will be leveled; the uneven ground will become smooth and the rough places, a plain. Holman Christian Standard Bible Every valley will be lifted up, and every mountain and hill will be leveled; the uneven ground will become smooth and the rough places, a plain. American Standard Version Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low; and the uneven shall be made level, and the rough places a plain: Contemporary English Version Fill in the valleys; flatten every hill and mountain. Level the rough and rugged ground. English Revised Version Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: GOD'S WORD® Translation Every valley will be raised. Every mountain and hill will be lowered. Steep places will be made level. Rough places will be made smooth. Good News Translation Fill every valley; level every mountain. The hills will become a plain, and the rough country will be made smooth. International Standard Version Every valley will be lifted up, and every mountain and hill will be lowered; the rough ground will become level, and the mountain ridges made a plain. Majority Standard Bible Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill made low; the uneven ground will become smooth, and the rugged land a plain. NET Bible Every valley must be elevated, and every mountain and hill leveled. The rough terrain will become a level plain, the rugged landscape a wide valley. New Heart English Bible Every valley will be filled, and every mountain and hill will be made low, and the uneven will be made level, and the rough places a plain. Webster's Bible Translation Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain. World English Bible Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The uneven shall be made level, and the rough places a plain. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionEvery valley is raised up, "" And every mountain and hill become low, "" And the crooked place has become a plain, "" And the entangled places a valley. Young's Literal Translation Every valley is raised up, And every mountain and hill become low, And the crooked place hath become a plain, And the entangled places a valley. Smith's Literal Translation Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the acclivity was for evenness, and the mountain ranges for a valley: Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleEvery valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough ways plain. Catholic Public Domain Version Every valley will be exalted, and every mountain and hill will be brought low. And the crooked will be straightened, and the uneven will become level ways. New American Bible Every valley shall be lifted up, every mountain and hill made low; The rugged land shall be a plain, the rough country, a broad valley. New Revised Standard Version Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleEvery valley shall be filled up, and every mountain and hill shall be made low; and the steep place shall be made straight, and the rough places smooth; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated All the valleys will be filled and all mountains and high places will be leveled, and the rugged place will be smooth, and the rough place a plain OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Every valley shall be lifted up, And every mountain and hill shall be made low; And the rugged shall be made level, And the rough places a plain; Brenton Septuagint Translation Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low: and all the crooked ways shall become straight, and the rough places plains. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Prepare the Way for the LORD…3A voice of one calling: “Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert. 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. 5And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all humanity together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”… Cross References Luke 3:5 Every valley shall be filled in, and every mountain and hill made low. The crooked ways shall be made straight, and the rough ways smooth. Matthew 3:3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’” Mark 1:3 “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’” Philippians 2:10-11 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, / and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Romans 14:11 It is written: “As surely as I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow before Me; every tongue will confess to God.” Malachi 3:1 “Behold, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple—the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight—see, He is coming,” says the LORD of Hosts. Psalm 68:4 Sing to God! Sing praises to His name. Exalt Him who rides on the clouds—His name is the LORD—and rejoice before Him. Zechariah 4:7 What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain. Then he will bring forth the capstone accompanied by shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’” Jeremiah 31:9 They will come with weeping, and by their supplication I will lead them; I will make them walk beside streams of waters, on a level path where they will not stumble. For I am Israel’s Father, and Ephraim is My firstborn.” Psalm 98:8 Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy Psalm 97:5 The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth. Psalm 114:4 the mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs. Psalm 114:6 O mountains, that you skipped like rams, O hills, like lambs? Job 12:22 He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings deep shadows into light. Ezekiel 36:4 therefore, O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD. This is what the Lord GOD says to the mountains and hills, to the ravines and valleys, to the desolate ruins and abandoned cities, which have become a spoil and a mockery to the rest of the nations around you. Treasury of Scripture Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: valley Isaiah 42:11,15,16 Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit: let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains… 1 Samuel 2:8 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S, and he hath set the world upon them. Psalm 113:7,8 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill; … every mountain Isaiah 2:12-15 For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low: … Job 40:11-13 Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath: and behold every one that is proud, and abase him… and the Isaiah 42:16 And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them. Isaiah 45:2 I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron: Proverbs 2:15 Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths: straight. Jump to Previous Broad Crooked Entangled Exalted Ground Hill Hilltops Low Mountain Places Plain Raised Rough Rugged Straight ValleyJump to Next Broad Crooked Entangled Exalted Ground Hill Hilltops Low Mountain Places Plain Raised Rough Rugged Straight ValleyIsaiah 40 1. The promulgation of the Gospel3. The preaching of John Baptist foretold 9. The preaching of the apostles foretold 12. The prophet, by the omnipotence of God 18. And his incomparableness 26. Comforts the people. Every valley shall be lifted up This phrase signifies a divine leveling, where God will exalt the humble and bring low the proud. In biblical context, valleys often symbolize lowliness or humility. This imagery is consistent with the theme of God's justice and mercy, as seen in Mary's Magnificat (Luke 1:52) where God exalts the humble. The lifting of valleys can also be seen as a metaphor for the restoration and redemption of God's people, preparing the way for the Lord's coming. And every mountain and hill made low The uneven ground will become smooth And the rugged land a plain Persons / Places / Events 1. IsaiahA major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah is the author of the book that bears his name. He prophesied to the Kingdom of Judah and is known for his messages of both judgment and hope. 2. Judah The southern kingdom of Israel, to whom Isaiah primarily directed his prophecies. During Isaiah's time, Judah faced threats from surrounding nations and internal spiritual decline. 3. Babylonian Exile Although not directly mentioned in this verse, the context of Isaiah 40 is a message of comfort to the Israelites who would later experience exile in Babylon. The promise of return and restoration is a key theme. 4. Messianic Prophecy Isaiah 40:4 is often seen as a prophecy pointing to the coming of the Messiah, who would prepare the way for God's ultimate redemption. 5. John the Baptist In the New Testament, John the Baptist is seen as the fulfillment of the voice calling in the wilderness, preparing the way for Jesus, as referenced in the broader context of Isaiah 40. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in TransformationGod has the power to transform the landscape of our lives, lifting us from low places and humbling the proud. Trust in His ability to change circumstances for His glory. Preparation for the Lord Just as valleys are lifted and mountains made low, we are called to prepare our hearts for the Lord's work. This involves repentance and aligning our lives with His will. Hope in Restoration Isaiah's message is one of hope and restoration. In times of difficulty, remember that God promises to make the rough places smooth, offering comfort and renewal. Spiritual Leveling The imagery of leveling speaks to the spiritual leveling that occurs in Christ, where social, economic, and personal barriers are broken down, and all are equal before God. Active Participation in God's Work We are invited to participate in God's transformative work by being agents of change, helping to "smooth" the paths for others to encounter Christ.(4) Every valley shall be exalted.--The figure is drawn from the titanic engineering operations of the kingly road-makers of the East, but the parable is hardly veiled. The meek exalted, the proud brought low, wrong ways set right, rough natures smoothed: that is the true preparation for the coming of the Lord, and therefore the true work of every follower of the Baptist in preparing the way. (Comp. Matthew 3:5-7; Luke 3:3-9.)Verse 4. - Every valley shall be exalted, etc.; rather, let every valley be exalted. The prophets are to see that the poor and lowly are raised up; the proud and self-righteous depressed; the crooked and dishonest induced to change their ways for those of simplicity and integrity; the rude, rough, and harsh rendered courteous and mild. "In general, the meaning is that Israel is to [be made] take care that the God who is coming to deliver it shall find it in such an inward and outward state as befits his... purpose" (Delitzsch, 'Comment. on Isaiah,' vol. 2. p. 142). Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Everyכָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every valley גֶּיא֙ (ge) Noun - common singular construct Strong's 1516: A valley shall be lifted up, יִנָּשֵׂ֔א (yin·nā·śê) Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take and every וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every mountain הַ֥ר (har) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country and hill וְגִבְעָ֖ה (wə·ḡiḇ·‘āh) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 1389: A hillock made low; יִשְׁפָּ֑לוּ (yiš·pā·lū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 8213: To be or become low, to be abased the uneven הֶֽעָקֹב֙ (he·‘ā·qōḇ) Article | Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 6121: Insidious, deceitful, tracked by footprints ground will become וְהָיָ֤ה (wə·hā·yāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be smooth, לְמִישׁ֔וֹר (lə·mî·šō·wr) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4334: A level, a plain, as a, straightness, justice and the rugged land וְהָרְכָסִ֖ים (wə·hā·rə·ḵā·sîm) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 7406: Perhaps roughness a plain. לְבִקְעָֽה׃ (lə·ḇiq·‘āh) Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 1237: A split, a wide level valley between mountains Links Isaiah 40:4 NIVIsaiah 40:4 NLT Isaiah 40:4 ESV Isaiah 40:4 NASB Isaiah 40:4 KJV Isaiah 40:4 BibleApps.com Isaiah 40:4 Biblia Paralela Isaiah 40:4 Chinese Bible Isaiah 40:4 French Bible Isaiah 40:4 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Isaiah 40:4 Every valley shall be exalted and every (Isa Isi Is) |
    |