Isaiah 52:7
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
Original Language Analysis
מַה
H4100
מַה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
1 of 16
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
נָּאו֨וּ
How beautiful
H4998
נָּאו֨וּ
How beautiful
Strong's:
H4998
Word #:
2 of 16
properly, to be at home, i.e., (by implication) to be pleasant (or suitable), i.e., beautiful
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
3 of 16
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הֶהָרִ֜ים
upon the mountains
H2022
הֶהָרִ֜ים
upon the mountains
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
4 of 16
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
רַגְלֵ֣י
are the feet
H7272
רַגְלֵ֣י
are the feet
Strong's:
H7272
Word #:
5 of 16
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
מְבַשֵּׂ֥ר
of him that bringeth good tidings
H1319
מְבַשֵּׂ֥ר
of him that bringeth good tidings
Strong's:
H1319
Word #:
6 of 16
properly, to be fresh, i.e., full (rosy, figuratively cheerful); to announce (glad news)
מַשְׁמִ֣יעַ
that publisheth
H8085
מַשְׁמִ֣יעַ
that publisheth
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
7 of 16
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
שָׁל֛וֹם
peace
H7965
שָׁל֛וֹם
peace
Strong's:
H7965
Word #:
8 of 16
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace
מְבַשֵּׂ֥ר
of him that bringeth good tidings
H1319
מְבַשֵּׂ֥ר
of him that bringeth good tidings
Strong's:
H1319
Word #:
9 of 16
properly, to be fresh, i.e., full (rosy, figuratively cheerful); to announce (glad news)
ט֖וֹב
of good
H2896
ט֖וֹב
of good
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
10 of 16
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
מַשְׁמִ֣יעַ
that publisheth
H8085
מַשְׁמִ֣יעַ
that publisheth
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
11 of 16
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
יְשׁוּעָ֑ה
salvation
H3444
יְשׁוּעָ֑ה
salvation
Strong's:
H3444
Word #:
12 of 16
something saved, i.e., (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity
לְצִיּ֖וֹן
unto Zion
H6726
לְצִיּ֖וֹן
unto Zion
Strong's:
H6726
Word #:
14 of 16
tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem
Cross References
Nahum 1:15Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off.Mark 16:15And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.Isaiah 40:9O 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!Psalms 93:1The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved.Isaiah 24:23Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.Ephesians 6:15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;Matthew 28:18And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.Psalms 68:11The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.Mark 13:10And the gospel must first be published among all nations.Luke 2:10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Historical Context
Runners brought news of Babylon's fall and permission to return - literally 'good tidings' to exiles. Spiritually, every gospel proclamation announces that 'thy God reigneth' - Christ's kingdom has come. The 'beautiful feet' honor humble messengers bearing glorious news.
Questions for Reflection
- How does viewing gospel witness as 'beautiful feet' bringing good tidings motivate your evangelism?
- What does it mean that the core gospel message is 'thy God reigneth' - God's sovereignty as good news?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The exclamation 'How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings' celebrates messengers announcing salvation. The progression of good news (publishes peace, brings good tidings, publishes salvation) culminates in 'that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!' Paul applies this to gospel preachers in Romans 10:15, showing that Christ's salvation is the ultimate 'good tidings.'