O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!

ISAIAH 40:9KJV
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Isaiah 40:9 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 40:9 mean?

Isaiah 40:9 calls for Zion and Jerusalem to boldly proclaim good news to the cities of Judah, urging them not to be afraid but to announce, “Behold your God!” The verse encourages the people to lift their voices with strength and confidence, sharing a message of hope and the presence of God.

In this verse, the prophet Isaiah addresses the people of Zion (Jerusalem), telling them to go up to a high place and publicly declare the arrival or presence of God to the rest of Judah. The historical setting is a time when the people needed reassurance and encouragement, and Isaiah’s words urge them to spread the uplifting message without fear.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 40:9

  • The word for “bringest good tidings” is בָּשַׂר (basar), which means to announce good news, often used for joyful or important announcements. Here, it highlights the importance and positivity of the message being shared.
  • “Lift up” comes from רוּם (rum), meaning to raise or exalt. The repeated instruction to lift up the voice “with strength” (כֹּחַ, koach) emphasizes boldness and confidence, not just volume.
  • “Be not afraid” uses יָרֵא (yare’), which means to fear or be afraid. The command not to fear shows that sharing this message might feel risky or intimidating, but the people are urged to speak out anyway.

Why Isaiah 40:9 matters

  • Isaiah 40:9 clarifies that the message is not just for Jerusalem but for all the cities of Judah, showing the wide reach and communal nature of the good news.
  • The verse stresses the need for courage and public proclamation, not private or timid faith, which is especially meaningful in times of uncertainty or distress.
  • This verse marks a turning point in Isaiah, shifting from messages of warning to words of comfort and hope, setting the tone for the rest of the chapter and the promises that follow.

Where else these words appear

“tidings” Hebrew H1319 · used in 21 verses

  • 1 Samuel 4:17 And the messenger answered and said, Israel is fled before the Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among the people, and thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken.
  • 2 Samuel 18:26 And the watchman saw another man running: and the watchman called unto the porter, and said, Behold another man running alone. And the king said, He also bringeth tidings.
  • Psalms 96:2 Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.

“high” Hebrew H1364 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 7:19 And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered.
  • Job 41:34 He beholdeth all high things: he is a king over all the children of pride.
  • Jeremiah 2:20 For of old time I have broken thy yoke, and burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will not transgress; when upon every high hill and under every green tree thou wanderest, playing the harlot.

“strength” Hebrew H3581 · used in 121 verses

  • Genesis 4:12 When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.
  • 2 Chronicles 22:9 And he sought Ahaziah: and they caught him,(for he was hid in Samaria,) and brought him to Jehu: and when they had slain him, they buried him: Because, said they, he is the son of Jehoshaphat, who sought the LORD with all his heart. So the house of Ahaziah had no power to keep still the kingdom.
  • Proverbs 20:29 The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head.