Isaiah 2 19

Isaiah 2:19 kjv

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.

Isaiah 2:19 nkjv

They shall go into the holes of the rocks, And into the caves of the earth, From the terror of the LORD And the glory of His majesty, When He arises to shake the earth mightily.

Isaiah 2:19 niv

People will flee to caves in the rocks and to holes in the ground from the fearful presence of the LORD and the splendor of his majesty, when he rises to shake the earth.

Isaiah 2:19 esv

And people shall enter the caves of the rocks and the holes of the ground, from before the terror of the LORD, and from the splendor of his majesty, when he rises to terrify the earth.

Isaiah 2:19 nlt

When the LORD rises to shake the earth,
his enemies will crawl into holes in the ground.
They will hide in caves in the rocks
from the terror of the LORD
and the glory of his majesty.

Isaiah 2 verses

Isaiah 2 19 Meaning

Isaiah 2:19 depicts a future scenario where people, overwhelmed by an indescribable terror, seek desperate refuge from the majestic and awesome presence of the LORD. This terror stems from God's active intervention in judgment, causing a cosmic shaking of the earth. The verse highlights the utter futility of human attempts to hide from divine power, underscoring God's ultimate sovereignty and the complete collapse of human pride in the face of His terrifying glory.

Isaiah 2 19 Context

Isaiah 2 describes a pivotal future event known as "the Day of the Lord." The chapter begins with a hopeful vision of Jerusalem's future glory, where all nations flow to Mount Zion for instruction and peace (Isa 2:2-4). However, it immediately pivots to a sharp contrast, prophesying a day of terrifying divine judgment. This judgment targets all human pride, idolatry, and self-reliance, manifested in fortified cities, valuable possessions, military might, and carved images (Isa 2:5-8, 15-16). The purpose is clear: to humble everything lofty and bring low every haughty thing so that "the LORD alone will be exalted in that day" (Isa 2:11, 17).

Verse 19 fits precisely into this theme, describing the consequence for humanity when this judgment descends. It illustrates the sheer terror and futility of trying to escape God's absolute sovereignty and majestic power. The historical context reflects a pre-exilic Judah increasingly steeped in idolatry and self-sufficient pride, trusting in alliances, wealth, and their own defenses rather than in the LORD. Isaiah's prophecy directly confronts these contemporary beliefs, warning that all human structures of security and sources of pride will prove worthless against the unmasked glory and power of God.

Isaiah 2 19 Word analysis

• And they shall go into the holes of the rocks

  • go: Implies desperate, swift action, a flight for survival.
  • holes (מְאוֹרֹת - m'orot): Often translated as "holes," "caverns," or "caves." It speaks of natural, hidden recesses. The word hints at a deep seeking for concealment, away from the surface world.
  • rocks (הַצֻּרִים - hatz'urim): Solid, immovable masses. Ironically, what seems steadfast and strong offers no refuge from the one who created and can shake them. This highlights the futility of seeking refuge in the natural world, which itself is subject to God.

• and into the caves of the earth,

  • caves (וּבִמְעָרוֹת - uvim'arot): Reinforces the imagery of deep, dark hiding places.
  • earth (עָפָר - afar): Literally "dust" or "ground." The seeking of refuge within the very dirt of the earth underscores a desperate desire to vanish or be swallowed up, fleeing from an unbearable presence.

• for fear of the LORD,

  • fear (מִפְּנֵי - mip'nei): "From the face of," indicating a direct, overwhelming terror stemming from God's unveiled presence, not a respectful reverence. It is an instinctual flight from something utterly dreadful and inescapable.
  • LORD (יְהוָה - Yahweh): The covenant God of Israel, now appearing as judge, revealing His true terrifying holiness to those who defied Him.

• and for the glory of his majesty,

  • glory (מֵהֲדַר - mihadar): "From the splendor of," or "from the magnificence of." This refers to God's inherent majesty, awe-inspiring power, and visible presence. What is glorious to His people becomes terrifying to the rebellious.
  • majesty (גְּאוֹנוֹ - ge'ono): "His exaltedness," "His pride," or "His eminence." It points to God's inherent loftiness, supreme dignity, and self-exalting power. The Day of the Lord humbles human pride while exalting God's, a terrifying realization for humanity.

• when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.

  • arise (בְּקוּמוֹ - b'kumo): "When He stands up" or "when He rises." This anthropomorphism depicts God actively and decisively engaging in judgment. It suggests a powerful, intentional intervention rather than a passive observation.
  • shake terribly (לְהַטִּיל הָאָרֶץ חֶרֶד - l'hattil ha'aretz chared): "To cast upon the earth terror" or "to make the earth tremble with terror." This denotes a profound, cosmic upheaval. It's not just a minor tremor, but a fundamental and terrifying disturbance of the world order, indicative of universal divine judgment. The earth itself reacts to God's power.

• "holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth": This phrase group emphasizes the extreme measures taken for concealment, searching for any deep, dark place. It points to the utter hopelessness of hiding from an omnipresent and all-powerful God. Nature's deepest recesses offer no shelter from the Creator.

• "fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty": These two phrases indicate the reason for the desperate flight. It's not fear of armies or natural disaster, but the direct, unbearable confrontation with God's unveiled, terrifyingly holy presence. His very glory, which brings light and blessing to the righteous, brings dread and judgment to the wicked.

• "when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth": This describes the catalyst for the terror. God's active intervention and the cosmic effects of His power signify that this judgment is universal, encompassing all things and leaving no escape. The "shaking" is not merely physical but also deeply unsettling, signifying a fundamental disturbance to existence.

Isaiah 2 19 Bonus section

• The profound irony: Humanity, having exalted themselves and made idols (Isa 2:8), is utterly humiliated and rendered powerless when God reveals His true, exclusive exaltation.
• The parallel to Revelation 6:15-17 is exceptionally strong, suggesting an eschatological fulfillment of this prophecy during the final days, when people of all statuses universally seek escape from the wrath of God and the Lamb. This confirms that the prophecy in Isaiah reaches far beyond any single historical event, pointing to a culmination.
• The phrase "Day of the Lord" implies a divine visitation—a specific time when God decisively intervenes in human history to judge sin and establish His kingdom, turning expectations of security and triumph for the wicked into fear and destruction.

Isaiah 2 19 Commentary

Isaiah 2:19 vividly portrays the climax of the "Day of the Lord" for the unrighteous, a moment of profound despair and futility. The scene is one of desperate flight, not from human armies, but from the direct, unmediated presence of the Most High God. Humans, in their folly and pride, construct their lives and seek security in earthly foundations, wealth, or self-exalting achievements (as described throughout the surrounding verses). Yet, in that fearsome day, all such securities prove meaningless. Their only impulse is to flee from God's terrifying holiness and overwhelming majesty.

The imagery of seeking refuge in the deepest holes and caves highlights the complete breakdown of human defenses and dignity. What were once natural shelters become symbols of desperate and ultimately failed attempts to evade the omnipotent Judge. This response of "hiding" echoes Adam's first sin (Gen 3:8) but on a cosmic scale, demonstrating humanity's intrinsic awareness of guilt when confronted with a holy God. The shaking of the earth signifies a total upheaval, indicating that creation itself acknowledges the divine judge. This passage serves as a stark warning against pride and self-sufficiency, urging a genuine fear and reverence for the LORD, for only He is truly exalted.