Isaiah 40:4
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:
Original Language Analysis
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
1 of 12
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
גֶּיא֙
Every valley
H1516
גֶּיא֙
Every valley
Strong's:
H1516
Word #:
2 of 12
a gorge (from its lofty sides; hence, narrow, but not a gully or winter-torrent)
יִנָּשֵׂ֔א
shall be exalted
H5375
יִנָּשֵׂ֔א
shall be exalted
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
3 of 12
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 12
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַ֥ר
and every mountain
H2022
הַ֥ר
and every mountain
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
5 of 12
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
יִשְׁפָּ֑לוּ
shall be made low
H8213
יִשְׁפָּ֑לוּ
shall be made low
Strong's:
H8213
Word #:
7 of 12
to depress or sink (especially figuratively, to humiliate, intransitive or transitive)
וְהָיָ֤ה
H1961
וְהָיָ֤ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
8 of 12
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
הֶֽעָקֹב֙
and the crooked
H6121
הֶֽעָקֹב֙
and the crooked
Strong's:
H6121
Word #:
9 of 12
(transitive) fraudulent or (intransitive) tracked
לְמִישׁ֔וֹר
shall be made straight
H4334
לְמִישׁ֔וֹר
shall be made straight
Strong's:
H4334
Word #:
10 of 12
a level, i.e., a plain (often used (with the article prefix) as a proper name of certain districts); figuratively, concord; also straightness, i.e., (
Cross References
Luke 3:5Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;Ezekiel 21:26Thus saith the Lord GOD; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this shall not be the same: exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high.Luke 18:14I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.Isaiah 45:2I 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:Ezekiel 17:24And all the trees of the field shall know that I the LORD have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish: I the LORD have spoken and have done it.Isaiah 42:11Let 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.
Historical Context
Ancient royal roads were literally prepared by leveling terrain before a monarch's arrival. This imagery would resonate powerfully with exiles anticipating their return journey from Babylon through wilderness terrain.
Questions for Reflection
- What mountains of pride or valleys of despair need leveling in your life to prepare for God's work?
- How does God's coming require preparation of the heart, not just external reformation?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
This verse employs dramatic topographical language to depict the removal of obstacles to God's coming. The leveling of mountains and valleys symbolizes the removal of all impediments—human pride (mountains) and despair (valleys)—that prevent encounter with God. John the Baptist applied this verse to his ministry of spiritual preparation for Messiah's coming (Luke 3:4-5).