Isaiah 2:19
And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.
Original Language Analysis
וּבָ֙אוּ֙
And they shall go
H935
וּבָ֙אוּ֙
And they shall go
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
1 of 13
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
צֻרִ֔ים
of the rocks
H6697
צֻרִ֔ים
of the rocks
Strong's:
H6697
Word #:
3 of 13
properly, a cliff (or sharp rock, as compressed); generally, a rock or boulder; figuratively, a refuge; also an edge (as precipitous)
עָפָ֑ר
of the earth
H6083
עָפָ֑ר
of the earth
Strong's:
H6083
Word #:
5 of 13
dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud
מִפְּנֵ֞י
for
H6440
מִפְּנֵ֞י
for
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
6 of 13
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
פַּ֤חַד
fear
H6343
פַּ֤חַד
fear
Strong's:
H6343
Word #:
7 of 13
a (sudden) alarm (properly, the object feared, by implication, the feeling)
יְהוָה֙
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
8 of 13
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וּמֵהֲדַ֣ר
and for the glory
H1926
וּמֵהֲדַ֣ר
and for the glory
Strong's:
H1926
Word #:
9 of 13
magnificence, i.e., ornament or splendor
בְּקוּמ֖וֹ
when he ariseth
H6965
בְּקוּמ֖וֹ
when he ariseth
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
11 of 13
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
Cross References
Isaiah 2:10Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty.Luke 23:30Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.Isaiah 2:21To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.Hosea 10:8The high places also of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed: the thorn and the thistle shall come up on their altars; and they shall say to the mountains, Cover us; and to the hills, Fall on us.Revelation 11:19And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.Hebrews 12:26Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.Haggai 2:6For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land;
Historical Context
Judah's mountainous terrain offered caves for hiding (1 Samuel 13:6), but physical concealment can't evade divine judgment. The imagery warns that no earthly refuge exists apart from covenant relationship.
Questions for Reflection
- What spiritual 'caves' do we seek when avoiding God's convicting presence?
- How does Christ transform God's terrifying majesty into approachable grace for believers?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Terrified humanity hides in caves and holes from God's majestic arising—reversing Eden where Adam hid from God's presence (Genesis 3:8). The 'terror of the LORD' and 'glory of his majesty' describe theophanic judgment when God manifests His presence to 'shake terribly the earth.' This anticipates Revelation 6:15-17 where earth-dwellers cry for rocks to hide them from the Lamb's wrath. The futility of hiding from omnipresent deity (Psalm 139:7-12) underscores that only refuge in Christ, not from Him, provides safety.