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 2:19KJV
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Isaiah 2:19 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 2:19 mean?

Isaiah 2:19 pictures people seeking shelter when the LORD rises to shake the earth. Their flight shows how overwhelming his presence is: the places they choose are holes and caves, where they hope to escape what fills them with fear.

After the call to hide in verse 10, Isaiah describes people entering those hiding places. The LORD’s “glory” and “majesty” portray his greatness as something people encounter, not merely an idea they discuss. The shaking of the earth gives the scene a sense of disturbance on an immense scale.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 2:19

  • “fear” — פַּחַד (pachad): This word can mean dread or terror. Here it describes the alarm that sends people looking for shelter.
  • “glory” — הָדָר (hadar): This word can mean splendor or grandeur. Alongside “majesty,” it gives a sense of the LORD’s imposing greatness.
  • “terribly” — עָרַץ (arats): This word can carry the sense of causing dread. The phrase links the earth’s shaking with the fear in the scene.

Why Isaiah 2:19 matters

  • Isaiah’s picture concerns human pride brought low. Earlier in the passage, Isaiah says that proud looks will be humbled and that the LORD alone will be exalted (Isaiah 2:11).
  • The surrounding passage connects the flight with the rejection of idols. In verse 20, people throw away their silver and gold idols, which they had made to worship.
  • The LORD is the one who acts in the scene. The words “when he ariseth” present the shaking as his action, not simply as an unexplained disaster.

Where else these words appear

“terribly” Hebrew H6206 · used in 15 verses

  • Deuteronomy 1:29 Then I said unto you, Dread not, neither be afraid of them.
  • Joshua 1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
  • Isaiah 2:21 To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.

“glory” Hebrew H1926 · used in 29 verses

  • Leviticus 23:40 And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days.
  • Psalms 90:16 Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children.
  • Proverbs 31:25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

“holes” Hebrew H4631 · used in 36 verses

  • Genesis 19:30 And Lot went up out of Zoar, and dwelt in the mountain, and his two daughters with him; for he feared to dwell in Zoar: and he dwelt in a cave, he and his two daughters.
  • Joshua 10:16 But these five kings fled, and hid themselves in a cave at Makkedah.
  • 1 Samuel 24:10 Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the LORD'S anointed.

“majesty” Hebrew H1347 · used in 45 verses

  • Exodus 15:7 And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble.
  • Isaiah 13:19 And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.
  • Ezekiel 24:21 Speak unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will profane my sanctuary, the excellency of your strength, the desire of your eyes, and that which your soul pitieth; and your sons and your daughters whom ye have left shall fall by the sword.