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.
ISAIAH 2:21KJVWhat does Isaiah 2:21 mean?
Isaiah 2:21 describes people fleeing into the cracks and high places of rocks, terrified by the presence and majesty of the LORD when He rises to shake the earth. The verse paints a picture of people desperately seeking shelter from God's overwhelming power and glory during a time of judgment.
In this passage, the prophet Isaiah is speaking to the people of Judah, warning them about a coming day when God’s presence will be so awe-inspiring and fearsome that people will try to hide from it. The verse is part of a larger section describing the "day of the LORD," a time when human pride will be humbled and God's greatness will be unmistakable.
The Hebrew behind Isaiah 2:21
- "fear" (פַּחַד, pachad): This word means terror or dread. Isaiah uses it to show that people are not just respectfully afraid, but deeply terrified by the LORD’s presence.
- "majesty" (גָּאוֹן, ga'on): This word refers to exalted splendor or grandeur. The verse emphasizes that it is not just God's anger, but also His overwhelming majesty, that causes people to hide.
- "to shake terribly" (עָרוֹץ, arutz): This word carries the sense of causing to tremble or quake violently. It highlights that God’s action is not gentle but earth-shaking, affecting all creation.
Why Isaiah 2:21 matters
- Isaiah 2:21 clarifies that the fear people feel is not just about punishment, but about being confronted with the sheer greatness and holiness of God.
- The verse connects to the broader theme in Isaiah 2 of human pride being brought low and God alone being exalted, showing that no one can stand confidently before His glory.
- This verse helps explain the imagery used in later prophetic and apocalyptic writings, where hiding in rocks or caves is a common response to divine judgment.