Isaiah 40:9

Authorized King James Version

PDF

O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!

Original Language Analysis

עַ֣ל H5921
עַ֣ל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 1 of 20
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַר mountain H2022
הַר mountain
Strong's: H2022
Word #: 2 of 20
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
גָּבֹ֤הַ into the high H1364
גָּבֹ֤הַ into the high
Strong's: H1364
Word #: 3 of 20
elevated (or elated), powerful, arrogant
עֲלִי get thee up H5927
עֲלִי get thee up
Strong's: H5927
Word #: 4 of 20
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
לָךְ֙ H0
לָךְ֙
Strong's: H0
Word #: 5 of 20
מְבַשֶּׂ֖רֶת that bringest good tidings H1319
מְבַשֶּׂ֖רֶת that bringest good tidings
Strong's: H1319
Word #: 6 of 20
properly, to be fresh, i.e., full (rosy, figuratively cheerful); to announce (glad news)
צִיּ֔וֹן O Zion H6726
צִיּ֔וֹן O Zion
Strong's: H6726
Word #: 7 of 20
tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem
הָרִ֙ימִי֙ lift it up H7311
הָרִ֙ימִי֙ lift it up
Strong's: H7311
Word #: 8 of 20
to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
בַכֹּ֙חַ֙ with strength H3581
בַכֹּ֙חַ֙ with strength
Strong's: H3581
Word #: 9 of 20
vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)
קוֹלֵ֔ךְ thy voice H6963
קוֹלֵ֔ךְ thy voice
Strong's: H6963
Word #: 10 of 20
a voice or sound
מְבַשֶּׂ֖רֶת that bringest good tidings H1319
מְבַשֶּׂ֖רֶת that bringest good tidings
Strong's: H1319
Word #: 11 of 20
properly, to be fresh, i.e., full (rosy, figuratively cheerful); to announce (glad news)
יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם O Jerusalem H3389
יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם O Jerusalem
Strong's: H3389
Word #: 12 of 20
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
הָרִ֙ימִי֙ lift it up H7311
הָרִ֙ימִי֙ lift it up
Strong's: H7311
Word #: 13 of 20
to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
אַל H408
אַל
Strong's: H408
Word #: 14 of 20
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּירָ֔אִי be not afraid H3372
תִּירָ֔אִי be not afraid
Strong's: H3372
Word #: 15 of 20
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
אִמְרִי֙ say H559
אִמְרִי֙ say
Strong's: H559
Word #: 16 of 20
to say (used with great latitude)
לְעָרֵ֣י unto the cities H5892
לְעָרֵ֣י unto the cities
Strong's: H5892
Word #: 17 of 20
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
יְהוּדָ֔ה of Judah H3063
יְהוּדָ֔ה of Judah
Strong's: H3063
Word #: 18 of 20
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
הִנֵּ֖ה H2009
הִנֵּ֖ה
Strong's: H2009
Word #: 19 of 20
lo!
אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃ Behold your God H430
אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃ Behold your God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 20 of 20
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

Cross References

Isaiah 12:2Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.Isaiah 25:9And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.Isaiah 61:1The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;Ephesians 6:19And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,Isaiah 41:27The first shall say to Zion, Behold, behold them: and I will give to Jerusalem one that bringeth good tidings.Isaiah 51:12I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass;Isaiah 51:7Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.Isaiah 58:4Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.Acts 4:29And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,Acts 4:13Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

Analysis & Commentary

Zion and Jerusalem, personified as messengers ('mevaser' - herald of good news), are called to proclaim God's coming with boldness ('lift up your voice with strength'). The message—'Behold your God!'—is the essence of the gospel: God Himself comes to save. This anticipates both the return from exile and Christ's advent.

Historical Context

The high mountain imagery recalls Moses receiving the Law on Sinai, now transformed into a place of proclamation rather than revelation. The herald announces not law but redemption.

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

Topics

People