Isaiah 62 10

Isaiah 62:10 kjv

Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people.

Isaiah 62:10 nkjv

Go through, Go through the gates! Prepare the way for the people; Build up, Build up the highway! Take out the stones, Lift up a banner for the peoples!

Isaiah 62:10 niv

Pass through, pass through the gates! Prepare the way for the people. Build up, build up the highway! Remove the stones. Raise a banner for the nations.

Isaiah 62:10 esv

Go through, go through the gates; prepare the way for the people; build up, build up the highway; clear it of stones; lift up a signal over the peoples.

Isaiah 62:10 nlt

Go out through the gates!
Prepare the highway for my people to return!
Smooth out the road; pull out the boulders;
raise a flag for all the nations to see.

Isaiah 62 verses

Isaiah 62 10 Meaning

Isaiah 62:10 is a powerful prophetic exhortation calling for immediate and active preparation for the glorious return and ingathering of God's people, both physically to Zion and spiritually to His kingdom. It commands the removal of all impediments, the building of a grand path, and the raising of a clear standard, signifying an open, universally accessible way for those who are to come to God's salvation and glorious reign.

Isaiah 62 10 Context

Isaiah 62 occurs towards the end of the book, in the section known as "Third Isaiah" (chapters 56-66), written for the post-exilic community or to console and assure a future glorious restoration for God's people. This chapter is a fervent declaration of God's unwavering commitment to Jerusalem (Zion) and her ultimate glorification. It opens with the prophet vowing not to rest until Zion's righteousness and salvation shine brightly (v. 1-5). It continues with God establishing "watchmen" to persistently remind Him of His promises for Jerusalem (v. 6-7). God then affirms with an oath that He will secure Zion's prosperity and prevent her enemies from devouring her fruit (v. 8-9).

Verse 10 transitions from God's commitment to an urgent, double-imperative command directed at either the heavenly host, God's messengers, or even the redeemed people themselves. It calls for immediate action to clear the way for the exiles' triumphant return, preparing for a grand procession. This command precedes God's own declaration that the "Rewarder" (the Messiah) is coming with His recompense and that Jerusalem will be known as "Sought Out, a City Not Forsaken" (v. 11-12). The immediate historical context relates to the Jewish exiles returning from Babylon to a ruined Jerusalem, facing the formidable task of rebuilding, both physically and spiritually. The ultimate context is eschatological, pointing to the grand gathering of all peoples to God's glorious kingdom through the Messiah.

Isaiah 62 10 Word analysis

• Go through, go through (עִבְרוּ עִבְרוּ, ivru ivru): This is a double imperative verb, signifying urgency, emphatic command, and repeated action. It means "pass through," "cross over," or "go to and fro." The repetition highlights the imperative and vigorous nature of the action required. It suggests active participation in a crucial undertaking, not mere passive observation.

• the gates! (בַּשְּׁעָרִים, bash'arim): "Gates" refer to the entrances of a city. Historically, gates were strategic points for defense, commerce, justice, and public gathering. Here, they symbolize both access and control, perhaps the gates of the restored Jerusalem through which the returning exiles will pass, or metaphorically, opening paths to the wider world.

• Prepare (פַּנּוּ, pannu): Another imperative, meaning "clear," "make ready," "turn to" or "make smooth." It implies active work of clearing away obstructions to create an unimpeded passage. This suggests intentional and preparatory action for a significant event.

• the way (דֶּרֶךְ, derech): A path, road, or journey. It signifies the route for movement. In a broader biblical sense, it can refer to a manner of life, a moral course, or God's intended course for humanity. Here, it is primarily a literal path made clear for travel.

• for the people (הָעָם, ha'am): "The people," specifically referring to God's chosen people, Israel, returning from exile. In the broader messianic context of Isaiah, this "people" eventually encompasses all those who respond to God's call, Jew and Gentile alike.

• build up, build up (סֹלּוּ סֹלּוּ, sollu sollu): A repeated imperative verb meaning "to heap up," "to cast up," "to construct an embankment." It implies significant, arduous construction work, raising the ground to form a stable and prominent road. This is a task of enduring significance.

• the highway! (הַמְסִלָּה, ham'silah): This specific noun denotes a constructed, elevated, or causeway-like road, often a main or royal road, distinct from a mere path. It emphasizes prominence, durability, and a grand scale of passage, signifying a secure and impressive route suitable for an important procession.

• Remove (סַקְּלוּ, sakkelu): An imperative verb meaning "to clear of stones," "to remove rocks." It is a specific instruction to deal with concrete obstacles that hinder travel and progress.

• the stones, (מֵאֶבֶן, me'even): Literal stones and debris that would impede movement on a path. Metaphorically, they represent any obstacles, spiritual or physical, that prevent God's people from returning or receiving salvation (e.g., sin, ignorance, persecution, political barriers).

• lift up (הָרִימוּ, harimu): An imperative verb, "to raise," "to exalt," "to make high." It implies making something visible and prominent for all to see.

• a banner (נֵס, nes): A standard, signal, or ensign, often raised on a pole. Banners served as rallying points for armies, signals for assembly, or markers for guidance. It symbolizes God's presence, authority, and the universal invitation for people to gather under His standard.

• for the peoples! (עַל-עַמִּים, al-'ammim): "The peoples" or "the nations," indicating a broader, universal scope beyond just Israel. The banner is lifted up over or for all nations, signaling a worldwide ingathering and witness.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Go through, go through the gates! Prepare the way for the people": This initial charge calls for clearing physical or metaphorical entry points and actively making room. The repetition of "go through" emphasizes an immediate, unhindered exit to begin the work and an unhindered entrance for the returning "people."
  • "build up, build up the highway! Remove the stones": This phrase describes the substantial effort required to construct a lasting and prominent thoroughfare. "Building up" and "removing stones" point to both positive construction and the diligent clearing of hindrances, underscoring that the way will be smooth and unobstructed, a divine testament.
  • "lift up a banner for the peoples!": This culmination indicates the ultimate purpose: to make a clear, visible signal for all the nations to see. The banner acts as an identifying mark, a rallying cry, and a guiding sign for universal gathering to the Lord, representing His sovereignty and invitation.

Isaiah 62 10 Bonus section

The active commands in Isaiah 62:10 serve as an anticipatory directive not only for the literal return of Israel from exile but also for the spiritual preparation for the first and second comings of Christ. John the Baptist's ministry (echoing Isaiah 40:3) directly embodies the call to "prepare the way" by turning hearts to repentance, removing spiritual "stones" of sin and pride. Furthermore, the universal scope ("for the peoples") underscores the eventual inclusion of the Gentiles in God's covenant, a central theme in the New Testament. The imagery here of diligent work, clearing and building, highlights that human effort is united with divine power in establishing God's kingdom. This is not merely an external act but calls for internal clearing of personal obstacles to spiritual growth and for outward witness, ensuring the message of salvation is made clear and visible to all.

Isaiah 62 10 Commentary

Isaiah 62:10 is a vibrant prophetic summons for active participation in God's grand plan of salvation and restoration. The repeated imperatives ("Go through, go through," "build up, build up") convey a sense of urgency, zeal, and a widespread call to action. This is not a task for a select few, but a comprehensive undertaking. The command to "go through the gates" might initially refer to exiting the city to prepare for the returning exiles, but it also symbolically implies a spiritual breaking through barriers and an opening up of access. The focus then shifts to monumental civic engineering: "preparing the way" and "building up the highway" for "the people." This refers not to a common path, but a mesillah, a specially constructed, elevated highway, implying ease of passage and divine significance. This way is for God's redeemed, providing an unimpeded route to their inheritance.

The task of "removing the stones" is practical yet deeply metaphorical; it means clearing away all obstacles—physical, spiritual, social, or political—that hinder the gathering of God's chosen and the advancement of His kingdom. These stones represent sin, injustice, false teachings, human opposition, or anything that makes the path difficult for people to approach God. Finally, the imperative to "lift up a banner for the peoples" shifts the perspective to universal outreach. This banner (or standard, nes) acts as a visible, unmissable sign for all nations. It is a rallying point, symbolizing God's glory, His authority, and His call to all humanity to gather to Him, whether to Zion literally or to salvation spiritually.

This verse ultimately speaks to the ongoing mission of God's people in every age: to clear a path for the gospel, remove impediments to faith, and publicly proclaim the message of Christ (the ultimate banner) so that all peoples may see and come to Him. It inspires the Church to be active in missions and evangelism, knowing that God's great work of gathering and salvation is at hand.