King James Version

What Does Isaiah 2:19 Mean?

Isaiah 2:19 in the King James Version says “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 ...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. of the earth: Heb. of the dust”

Isaiah 2:19 · KJV

Fear & Courage

Context

17

And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.

18

And the idols he shall utterly abolish. he: or, shall utterly pass away

19

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. of the earth: Heb. of the dust

20

In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats; his idols of silver: Heb. the idols of his silver, etc each: or, for him

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.

Read Isaiah 2 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Terrified humanity hides in caves and holes from God's majestic arising—reversing Eden where Adam hid from God's presence (Genesis 3:8). The 'terror of the LORD' and 'glory of his majesty' describe theophanic judgment when God manifests His presence to 'shake terribly the earth.' This anticipates Revelation 6:15-17 where earth-dwellers cry for rocks to hide them from the Lamb's wrath. The futility of hiding from omnipresent deity (Psalm 139:7-12) underscores that only refuge in Christ, not from Him, provides safety.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Judah's mountainous terrain offered caves for hiding (1 Samuel 13:6), but physical concealment can't evade divine judgment. The imagery warns that no earthly refuge exists apart from covenant relationship.

Reflection Questions

  1. What spiritual 'caves' do we seek when avoiding God's convicting presence?
  2. How does Christ transform God's terrifying majesty into approachable grace for believers?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וּבָ֙אוּ֙1 of 13

“And they shall go”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

בִּמְעָר֣וֹת2 of 13

“into the holes”

H4631

a cavern (as dark)

צֻרִ֔ים3 of 13

“of the rocks”

H6697

properly, a cliff (or sharp rock, as compressed); generally, a rock or boulder; figuratively, a refuge; also an edge (as precipitous)

וּבִמְחִלּ֖וֹת4 of 13

“and into the caves”

H4247

a cavern (as if excavated)

עָפָ֑ר5 of 13

“of the earth”

H6083

dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud

מִפְּנֵ֞י6 of 13

“for”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

פַּ֤חַד7 of 13

“fear”

H6343

a (sudden) alarm (properly, the object feared, by implication, the feeling)

יְהוָה֙8 of 13

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וּמֵהֲדַ֣ר9 of 13

“and for the glory”

H1926

magnificence, i.e., ornament or splendor

גְּאוֹנ֔וֹ10 of 13

“of his majesty”

H1347

the same as h1346

בְּקוּמ֖וֹ11 of 13

“when he ariseth”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

לַעֲרֹ֥ץ12 of 13

“to shake terribly”

H6206

to awe or (intransitive) to dread; hence, to harass

הָאָֽרֶץ׃13 of 13

“the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 2:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 2:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 2:10Luke 23:30Isaiah 2:21Hosea 10:8Revelation 6:12-15Haggai 2:6

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