Isaiah 57 14

Isaiah 57:14 kjv

And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people.

Isaiah 57:14 nkjv

And one shall say, "Heap it up! Heap it up! Prepare the way, Take the stumbling block out of the way of My people."

Isaiah 57:14 niv

And it will be said: "Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people."

Isaiah 57:14 esv

And it shall be said, "Build up, build up, prepare the way, remove every obstruction from my people's way."

Isaiah 57:14 nlt

God says, "Rebuild the road!
Clear away the rocks and stones
so my people can return from captivity."

Isaiah 57 verses

Isaiah 57 14 Meaning

This verse is a message of hope and restoration for God's people, promising the removal of all obstacles to their well-being and a clear path forward towards divine fellowship and service. It assures them that God himself will lead them out of difficult situations.

Isaiah 57 14 Context

Chapter 57 of Isaiah is situated within a broader prophetic section addressing the sinfulness of Israel, their exile, and the subsequent promise of restoration. Specifically, verse 14 follows verses that condemn idolatry, spiritual unfaithfulness, and the scattering of the people due to their sins. This verse marks a significant turning point, shifting from judgment to the assurance of God's direct intervention and guidance in leading his repentant people back to a place of spiritual vitality and covenant relationship. The immediate context (verses 15-21) speaks of God's dwelling with the contrite and humble, reinforcing the theme of accessible divine presence and healing.

Isaiah 57 14 Word Analysis

• "The people" (עַם – am): Refers to the covenant people of Israel, both in their state of sin and exile and their future redeemed state.
• "He" (הוּא – hu): Emphatic pronoun, referring to God himself, underscoring His direct agency in the restoration.
• "shall build up" (בָּנָה – banah): Implies constructing, establishing, or rebuilding, suggesting a restoration of their nation, worship, and spiritual state.
• "up" (לְמַעְלָה – lema'lah): Signifies "upward," "on high," or "progressively." Here it indicates God building them up to a higher spiritual and national status.
• "the way" (דֶּרֶךְ – derekh): Can mean path, road, or manner of life. In this context, it signifies the path or road that the people are to travel.
• "of the people": Indicates this path is for the community.
• " Prepare ye" (סָלּוּ – sallu): Imperative form of salah, meaning to pave, make smooth, remove obstacles. It's a call to clear the path for God's action.
• "the way" (דֶּרֶךְ – derekh): Again, the path or way for movement.
• "of the people": The path designated for them.
• "Clear ye" (סִלּוּ – sillu): Repetition for emphasis, reiterating the call to prepare. It is derived from sallu.
• "the way": The established course or road.
• "of the people": Pertaining to the community.
• "Remove" (סוּרוּ – suru): Imperative form of sur, meaning to turn aside, remove, depart from. It implies actively taking away stumbling blocks.
• "the stumbling-blocks" (מִכְשֹׁלֶת – mikhsholeth): Hindrances, offenses, things that cause one to trip or fall. This could refer to sin, idolatry, or external oppressive powers.
• "from the land": Signifies from their territory, indicating the removal of obstacles from their environment and homeland.

Word Group Analysis:

• "Build up… the way of the people": This phrase collectively refers to God's active restoration and establishment of a clear path or way of life for His people to follow.
• "Prepare ye the way of the people. Clear ye the way. Remove the stumbling-blocks from the land": These phrases are parallel imperatives emphasizing God's command and promise to actively clear the path for His people's return and well-being, removing anything that hinders their progress toward Him and prosperity in their land.

Isaiah 57 14 Bonus Section

The repetition of "the way" and the repeated imperative verbs ("Prepare," "Clear," "Remove") highlights the comprehensive nature of God's restorative action. It's not just about physical travel but also about creating an environment conducive to spiritual growth and unbroken fellowship with God. This verse speaks to God's commitment to removing impediments to intimacy and service for His redeemed people. The call for them to also actively remove stumbling-blocks is a participatory aspect of redemption, showing that while God initiates and facilitates, human cooperation through obedience is essential.

Isaiah 57 14 Commentary

This verse contains a powerful divine assurance that God Himself will undertake the task of preparing a way for His people. It’s not a passive waiting but an active intervention. God commands the people to participate in this clearing process by removing their own "stumbling-blocks"—sin and harmful practices—from the land. The imperative to "prepare" and "clear" the way echoes prophetic calls, notably those preceding and heralding the coming of the Messiah, who would indeed make a new and straight way for all humanity back to God. This preparation ensures they can journey toward Him and experience His salvific presence without obstruction, signifying both national restoration and individual spiritual clarity.