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Text -- Isaiah 40:4 (NET)

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Context
40:4 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.
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Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
JFB , Clarke , Calvin , Defender , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , PBC , Haydock , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
, Geneva Bible

Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , Maclaren , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Keil-Delitzsch , Constable , Guzik

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

JFB: Isa 40:4 - -- Eastern monarchs send heralds before them in a journey to clear away obstacles, make causeways over valleys, and level hills. So John's duty was to br...

Eastern monarchs send heralds before them in a journey to clear away obstacles, make causeways over valleys, and level hills. So John's duty was to bring back the people to obedience to the law and to remove all self-confidence, pride in national privileges, hypocrisy, and irreligion, so that they should be ready for His coming (Mal 4:6; Luk 1:17).

JFB: Isa 40:4 - -- Declivities.  

Declivities.  

Clarke: Isa 40:4 - -- Crooked - The word עקב akob is very generally rendered crooked: but this sense of the word seems not to be supported by any good authority. Lu...

Crooked - The word עקב akob is very generally rendered crooked: but this sense of the word seems not to be supported by any good authority. Ludolphus, Comment. ad Hist. Aethiop. p. 206, says "that in the Ethiopia language it signifies clivus, locus editus :"and so the Syriac Version renders it in this place, ערמא arama : Hebrew, ערמה aramah , tumulus, acervus . Thus the parallelism would be more perfect:"the hilly country shall be made level, and the precipices a smooth plain."

Calvin: Isa 40:4 - -- 4.Every valley shall be exalted He confirms and asserts the preceding statement; for he shews that no difficulties can prevent the Lord from deliveri...

4.Every valley shall be exalted He confirms and asserts the preceding statement; for he shews that no difficulties can prevent the Lord from delivering and restoring his Church whenever he shall think fit. These words might with propriety be rendered in the imperative mood, “Let every valley be exalted,” 111 so as to be placed in immediate connection with the command which God gives by his prophets to prepare and level the way for himself; but it makes hardly any difference in the meaning. Let us be satisfied with understanding the Prophet’s design, “that, although many and formidable difficulties are started to hinder the salvation of the Church, still the hand of God will be victorious and will prevail.”

And every mountain and hill shall be laid low It ought to be observed that many obstructions always arise whenever God makes provision for our deliverance, or wishes to aid the afflicted; and although his glory is more fully displayed by these obstructions, yet we suffer no loss; for we behold more clearly his wonderful power when no strength, or efforts, or contrivances of men can prevent him from gaining his object. He conducts his people through “mountains” and steep places in such a manner as if the road were perfectly level; and by the words mountains and hills, the Prophet undoubtedly intends to denote metaphorically obstructions of every kind; for Satan attempts in every way to hinder our salvation. When we come, therefore, to spiritual redemption, these words undoubtedly include both internal and external obstacles, — lusts and wicked desires, ambition, foolish confidence, and impatience, which retard us wonderfully, but the Lord will break them all down; for when he stretches out his hand, nothing can restrain or drive him back.

Defender: Isa 40:4 - -- A remarkable change in the very shape of the earth's surface will take place during the tribulation, preparing the earth for the glorious kingdom age....

A remarkable change in the very shape of the earth's surface will take place during the tribulation, preparing the earth for the glorious kingdom age. The terrible earthquakes (among other geophysical catastrophes) will destroy the great mountain masses of the world (Rev 16:20) and fill up the ocean depths, smoothing out the topography so that the earth's lands will all be pleasantly inhabitable, as in the beginning."

TSK: Isa 40:4 - -- valley : Isa 42:11, Isa 42:15, Isa 42:16; 1Sa 2:8; Psa 113:7, Psa 113:8; Eze 17:24, Eze 21:26; Luk 1:52, Luk 1:53; Luk 3:5, Luk 18:14 every mountain :...

valley : Isa 42:11, Isa 42:15, Isa 42:16; 1Sa 2:8; Psa 113:7, Psa 113:8; Eze 17:24, Eze 21:26; Luk 1:52, Luk 1:53; Luk 3:5, Luk 18:14

every mountain : Isa 2:12-15; Job 40:11-13

and the : Isa 42:16, Isa 45:2; Pro 2:15

straight : or, a straight place

plain : or, a plain place

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: Isa 40:4 - -- Every valley shall be exalted - That is, every valley, or low piece of ground, shall be filled up so as to make a level highway, as was done in...

Every valley shall be exalted - That is, every valley, or low piece of ground, shall be filled up so as to make a level highway, as was done in order to facilitate the march of armies. This verse is evidently designed to explain what is intended in Isa 40:3, by preparing the way for Yahweh. Applied to the return of the Jews from Babylon, it means simply that the impassable valleys were to be filled up so as to make a level road for their journey. If applied to the work of John, the forerunner of the Messiah, it means that the nation was to be called on to put itself in a state of preparation for his coming, and for the success of his labors among them. Vitringa, and others, have endeavored to specify what particular moral qualities in the nation are meant by the ‘ valley,’ by the ‘ mountain and hill,’ and by the ‘ crooked’ and ‘ rough places.’ But the illustrations are such as cannot be demonstrated to be referred to by the prophet. The general sense is plain. The language, as we have seen, is taken from the march of a monarch at the head of his army. The general idea is, that all obstructions were to be removed, so that the march would be without embarrassment. As applicable to the work of John also, the language means in general, that whatever there was in the opinions, habits, conduct, in the pride, self-confidence, and irreligion of the nation that would prevent his cordial reception, was to be removed.

Every mountain and hill - They shall be dug down so as to make the journey easy. All obstructions were to be removed.

And the crooked - The word used here, ( עקב ‛âqob ) is usually rendered ‘ crooked;’ but perhaps not by any good authority. The verb עקב ‛âqab usually denotes to be behind; to come from behind; or, as Gesenius supposes, to be elevated like a mound, arched like a hill or tumulus, and is hence applied to the heel from the figure (see Gen 25:26; Hos 12:4). According to this, the word would denote properly a hill, mound, or acclivity, which would put back those who attempted to ascend.

Shall be made straight - Margin, ‘ A straight place.’ The Hebrew word ( מישׁור mı̂yshôr ) denotes properly "evenness,"a level region, a plain. The hilly places would be reduced to a level.

And the rough places - Those which are hard, bound up, stony, difficult to pass. Such as abounded with rocks and precipices, and which presented obstructions to a journey. Such places abounded in the region lying between Palestine and Babylon.

Plain - Margin, ‘ A plain place.’ A smooth, level plain.

Poole: Isa 40:4 - -- This is only a more particular explication of that which was generally expressed Isa 40:3 . The sense is, All obstructions shall be removed, and the...

This is only a more particular explication of that which was generally expressed Isa 40:3 . The sense is, All obstructions shall be removed, and the way made in all respects convenient and easy for the passenger.

PBC: Isa 40:4 - -- See Philpot: EVERY VALLEY SHALL BE EXALTED Isa 40:4.

See Philpot: EVERY VALLEY SHALL BE EXALTED Isa 40:4.

Haydock: Isa 40:4 - -- Plain. For the captives, or the conversion of the world, Baruch v. 6.

Plain. For the captives, or the conversion of the world, Baruch v. 6.

Gill: Isa 40:4 - -- Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low,.... Which is not to be understood literally, but, as Kimchi says, parabo...

Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low,.... Which is not to be understood literally, but, as Kimchi says, parabolically and mystically: the meaning is, that in consequence of John's ministry, and our Lord's coming, such who were depressed and bowed down with the guilt of sin, and were low and humble in their own eyes, should be raised up and comforted; and that such who were elated with themselves, and their own righteousness, should be humbled; their pride and haughtiness should be brought down, and they treated with neglect and contempt, while great notice was taken of lowly minded ones; see Luk 14:11 and Luk 18:14,

and the crooked shall be straight and the rough places plain; what before was dark and intricate in prophecy should now become clear; and such doctrines as were not so well understood should now become plain and easy.

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Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

Geneva Bible: Isa 40:4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every ( g ) mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain...

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Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: Isa 40:1-31 - --1 The promulgation of the Gospel.3 The preaching of John Baptist.9 The preaching of the apostles.12 The prophet, by the omnipotency of God,18 and his ...

Maclaren: Isa 40:1-10 - --Great Voices From Heaven Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. 2. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare i...

MHCC: Isa 40:1-11 - --All human life is a warfare; the Christian life is the most so; but the struggle will not last always. Troubles are removed in love, when sin is pardo...

Matthew Henry: Isa 40:3-8 - -- The time to favour Zion, yea, the set time, having come, the people of God must be prepared, by repentance and faith, for the favours designed them;...

Keil-Delitzsch: Isa 40:4 - -- The summons proceeds in a commanding tone. "Let every valley be exalted, and every mountain and hill made low; and let the rugged be made a plain, ...

Constable: Isa 40:1--55:13 - --IV. Israel's calling in the world chs. 40--55 This part of Isaiah picks up a theme from chapters 1-39 and develo...

Constable: Isa 40:1--48:22 - --A. God's grace to Israel chs. 40-48 These chapters particularly address the questions of whether God cou...

Constable: Isa 40:1-31 - --1. The Lord of the servant ch. 40 Would the coming Babylonian exile prove that God could not del...

Constable: Isa 40:1-11 - --The comforting Lord 40:1-11 The first strophe of this poem (vv. 1-2) sets the tone for the rest of the chapter and for the rest of the book. It is an ...

Guzik: Isa 40:1-31 - --Isaiah 40 - Comfort and Strength for God's People A. The Word of the LORD prepares the way of the LORD. 1. (1-2) Comfort for the afflicted people of...

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Introduction / Outline

JFB: Isaiah (Book Introduction) ISAIAH, son of Amoz (not Amos); contemporary of Jonah, Amos, Hosea, in Israel, but younger than they; and of Micah, in Judah. His call to a higher deg...

JFB: Isaiah (Outline) PARABLE OF JEHOVAH'S VINEYARD. (Isa. 5:1-30) SIX DISTINCT WOES AGAINST CRIMES. (Isa. 5:8-23) (Lev 25:13; Mic 2:2). The jubilee restoration of posses...

TSK: Isaiah (Book Introduction) Isaiah has, with singular propriety, been denominated the Evangelical Prophet, on account of the number and variety of his prophecies concerning the a...

TSK: Isaiah 40 (Chapter Introduction) Overview Isa 40:1, The promulgation of the Gospel; Isa 40:3, The preaching of John Baptist; Isa 40:9, The preaching of the apostles; Isa 40:12, Th...

Poole: Isaiah (Book Introduction) THE ARGUMENT THE teachers of the ancient church were of two sorts: 1. Ordinary, the priests and Levites. 2. Extraordinary, the prophets. These we...

Poole: Isaiah 40 (Chapter Introduction) CHAPTER 40 The prophet having now foretold the Babylonish captivity, Isa 39:6,7 , doth here arm his people against it by the consideration of their...

MHCC: Isaiah (Book Introduction) Isaiah prophesied in the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. He has been well called the evangelical prophet, on account of his numerous and...

MHCC: Isaiah 40 (Chapter Introduction) (Isa 40:1-11) The preaching of the gospel, and glad tidings of the coming of Christ. (Isa 40:12-17) The almighty power of God. (Isa 40:18-26) The fo...

Matthew Henry: Isaiah (Book Introduction) An Exposition, With Practical Observations, of The Book of the Prophet Isaiah Prophet is a title that sounds very great to those that understand it, t...

Matthew Henry: Isaiah 40 (Chapter Introduction) At this chapter begins the latter part of the prophecy of this book, which is not only divided from the former by the historical chapters that come...

Constable: Isaiah (Book Introduction) Introduction Title and writer The title of this book of the Bible, as is true of the o...

Constable: Isaiah (Outline) Outline I. Introduction chs. 1-5 A. Israel's condition and God's solution ch. 1 ...

Constable: Isaiah Isaiah Bibliography Alexander, Joseph Addison. Commentary on the Prophecies of Isaiah. 1846, 1847. Revised ed. ...

Haydock: Isaiah (Book Introduction) THE PROPHECY OF ISAIAS. INTRODUCTION. This inspired writer is called by the Holy Ghost, (Ecclesiasticus xlviii. 25.) the great prophet; from t...

Gill: Isaiah (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH This book is called, in the New Testament, sometimes "the Book of the Words of the Prophet Esaias", Luk 3:4 sometimes only t...

Gill: Isaiah 40 (Chapter Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 40 This chapter treats of the comforts of God's people; of the forerunner and coming of the Messiah; of his work, and the di...

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