Isaiah 40:5 kjv
And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
Isaiah 40:5 nkjv
The glory of the LORD shall be revealed, And all flesh shall see it together; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken."
Isaiah 40:5 niv
And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken."
Isaiah 40:5 esv
And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken."
Isaiah 40:5 nlt
Then the glory of the LORD will be revealed,
and all people will see it together.
The LORD has spoken!"
Isaiah 40 5 Cross References
Verse | Text | Reference |
---|---|---|
Gen 9:16 | ...everlasting covenant between God and every living creature... | God's covenants and promises are eternal. |
Exod 16:7 | ...in the morning you shall see the glory of the LORD... | Early manifestation of God's glory to Israel. |
Exod 24:17 | And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like devouring fire... | Specific, powerful visual of God's glory. |
Num 14:21 | ...as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD. | Universal future scope of God's glory. |
Isa 6:3 | ...Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory. | Present but often unseen universal glory. |
Isa 40:3-4 | The voice of one crying in the wilderness...prepare the way... | Preceding context, preparing for God's appearance. |
Isa 46:10 | declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times... | God's sovereign power to declare and accomplish. |
Isa 55:11 | So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty. | God's word accomplishes its purpose. |
Ps 96:3 | Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all peoples! | Command to witness God's glory universally. |
Joel 2:28 | And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh. | God's Spirit being poured out on "all flesh". |
Hab 2:14 | For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD... | Similar future vision of universal glory/knowledge. |
Mal 3:1 | ...the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple... | Anticipates a sudden, significant coming of the Lord. |
Zech 14:4 | On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives... | Prophecy of the Lord's physical return. |
Lk 3:6 | And all flesh shall see the salvation of God. | NT quotation of Isa 40:5, equating glory with salvation. |
Jn 1:14 | And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory... | Christ as the embodiment of God's glory, seen by humanity. |
Acts 2:17 | ...in the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh... | Peter's sermon, quoting Joel 2, connects to "all flesh". |
Rom 1:19 | For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. | God's revelation, though suppressed by man. |
Rom 3:23 | for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. | The standard of God's glory we've failed to meet. |
Phil 2:10-11 | ...every knee should bow...and every tongue confess... | Universal confession to the Lord's glory/sovereignty. |
Heb 1:3 | He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature... | Christ as the perfect representation of God's glory. |
Rev 1:7 | Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him... | The ultimate universal sight of Christ's coming. |
Rev 21:23 | And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light. | The eternal, manifest glory of God as ultimate light. |
Isaiah 40 verses
Isaiah 40 5 Meaning
This verse declares that God's intrinsic majesty, power, and presence, often hidden or partially seen, will be openly and undeniably revealed to all humanity. This universal witness to divine glory is a steadfast promise, guaranteed by the immutable word of God Himself. It foretells a climactic disclosure of the Lord's splendor, bringing profound comfort and assurance to a people awaiting divine intervention.
Isaiah 40 5 Context
Isaiah 40 opens a new section of the book, often called the "Book of Comfort." It immediately follows chapters focused on judgment and the Babylonian exile, transitioning into messages of hope, restoration, and the future coming of God for His people. Verse 5 is nestled within a powerful declaration that God is coming to vindicate His people, speaking to Israel (who are personified as Jerusalem and Judah in Isa 40:1-2) from a context of despair. Verses 3-4 announce the preparation of a highway for the Lord's coming, a clear path through the wilderness. Verse 5 then immediately follows, describing the effect and scope of this coming: the universally seen manifestation of God's glory, contrasting sharply with human fragility described in verses 6-8 ("all flesh is grass"). This message served to assure the exiled Israelites that their God, who seemed absent, was in control and would make His presence and power known globally.
Isaiah 40 5 Word analysis
- And the glory: The Hebrew word for "glory" is
kābôd
(כָּבוֹד). This term signifies not just visible splendor but also intrinsic weight, honor, dignity, and reputation. It describes God's inherent majesty, authority, and worth. The "glory of the LORD" specifically points to God's manifest presence and visible display of His divine attributes. - of the LORD: Represents the divine name
YHWH
(יהוה), the covenant-keeping God of Israel. It emphasizes the personal, living God who makes and fulfills promises. This name reinforces the authoritative source of the glory and the promise. - shall be revealed: The Hebrew verb
gālāh
(גָּלָה) means to uncover, disclose, or make manifest. It implies a transition from a hidden or partially understood state to one that is clear, open, and accessible. It’s a passive construction, indicating that God Himself is the one who will cause His glory to be revealed, rather than it being discovered by human effort. This is a dramatic disclosure, a breaking forth of something previously veiled. - and all flesh:
Kol-bāśār
(כָּל־בָּשָׂר).Kol
means "all" or "every," andbāśār
means "flesh" or "humanity" (as a composite of mortal beings). This is a crucial expansion of the audience, moving beyond just Israel to encompass every living person. It underscores the universal scope and visibility of this event. In contrast to human weakness (Isa 40:6), this "all flesh" will undeniably witness divine power. - shall see it together:
Yāḥad
(יַחַד) means "together" or "at once." This emphasizes the simultaneity and collective experience of the revelation. It will not be a series of individual visions but a universally witnessed event, impacting everyone concurrently. The verb "shall see" (rā’āh
, רָאָה) denotes a direct, visual perception, implying an undeniable experience. - for the mouth:
Pī
(פִּי) refers to the "mouth" or "utterance." It signifies the source of divine communication and decree. - of the LORD hath spoken it:
YHWH dibbēr
(יהוה דִּבֵּר). "Hath spoken" (dibbēr
, דִּבֵּר) indicates a decisive and authoritative declaration. This phrase provides the ultimate guarantee: the word of God, which is self-effectuating and utterly reliable (Isa 55:11), is behind this promise. It underscores the certainty and inevitability of the prophecy's fulfillment.
Words-group analysis
- "And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed": This phrase introduces the central theme of divine disclosure. The glory (
kābôd
) is not just an attribute but the manifest presence and visible display of God Himself. Its revelation indicates an end to previous veiled or restricted views, signifying a new, public era of God's active presence. - "and all flesh shall see it together": This expands the audience from localized or selective witnesses (like prophets or specific groups in Exod 33, Num 14) to all humanity. The term "all flesh" highlights human mortality yet signifies universal comprehension of the divine act, emphasizing its undeniable and pervasive impact. The "together" reinforces the simultaneous and collective nature of this global perception.
- "for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it": This final clause acts as an inviolable guarantee. The divine declaration itself ensures the prophecy's fulfillment. It means this is not a hopeful wish but an immutable, self-actualizing decree from the sovereign God, whose word cannot return empty (Isa 55:11).
Isaiah 40 5 Bonus section
The structure of Isaiah 40:1-5 culminates in this verse, laying the foundation for the entire message of comfort. Verses 1-2 announce comfort for Jerusalem, and verses 3-4 detail the preparation for the Lord's coming. Verse 5 then declares the universal consequence of this divine arrival. This progression underscores that God's plan for Israel’s comfort extends to a global witness of His majesty. This public and undeniable revelation serves as a definitive statement against any doubts about God’s existence or power that may have arisen during the exile, highlighting His unique capacity to make such grand promises and perfectly execute them through His authoritative word.
Isaiah 40 5 Commentary
Isaiah 40:5 stands as a profound theological assertion, promising a grand, unprecedented manifestation of God's inherent glory. Moving beyond previous partial or localized displays, this verse proclaims a universal, undeniable revelation. For the original audience in Babylonian exile, it offered immense comfort: their God, who seemed distant, would powerfully reassert His presence not only for Israel but before all nations. This promise of ultimate disclosure reinforces God's sovereignty over history and creation, guaranteeing His faithfulness to His covenant and prophecies. It signifies that divine honor and power will not remain veiled but will break forth, bringing to light God's salvation. This universal seeing prepares the way for all peoples to acknowledge the one true God, finding partial fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ, "the Word made flesh," and ultimate consummation at His glorious second coming, when every eye will literally see Him.