Isaiah 57:14

KJV

And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people.

KJV (with Strong's)

And shall say {H559}, Cast ye up {H5549}, cast ye up {H5549}, prepare {H6437} the way {H1870}, take up {H7311} the stumblingblock {H4383} out of the way {H1870} of my people {H5971}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then he will say, "Keep building! Keep building! Clear the way! Remove everything blocking my people's path!"

Berean Standard Bible

And it will be said, “Build it up, build it up, prepare the way, take every obstacle out of the way of My people.”

American Standard Version

And he will say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumbling-block out of the way of my people.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 57:14 presents a divine imperative, a clarion call for the diligent and comprehensive removal of all impediments that obstruct the path of God's people. This prophetic declaration, delivered within a broader context of both divine judgment and profound restoration, underscores the urgent necessity to prepare a clear and elevated way, signifying both a literal path for the return from Babylonian exile and, more profoundly, a spiritual avenue for unhindered communion with the Almighty. It powerfully articulates God's fervent desire for His covenant people to walk in freedom, righteousness, and peace, unburdened by the spiritual "stumblingblocks" of sin, idolatry, or any societal hindrance that causes them to falter.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 57:14 is strategically placed within the latter portion of the book of Isaiah, often designated as Second Isaiah (chapters 40-66), which primarily addresses the exilic and post-exilic communities of Israel. Chapter 57 itself serves as a stark contrast, juxtaposing the peace and blessedness of the righteous, even in death, with the restless turmoil and spiritual barrenness of the wicked and idolatrous. Following a searing indictment of Israel's spiritual adultery, unfaithfulness, and pursuit of foreign gods (verses 3-13), verses 14-21 pivot dramatically to a message of hope, divine intervention, and restoration for the humble and contrite in heart. The command to "prepare the way" in verse 14 thus functions as a crucial transition, setting the stage for God's gracious initiative to comfort, heal, and gather His scattered people, distinguishing them from the unrepentant who are promised no peace. This verse echoes and expands upon earlier prophetic calls for preparation, such as the famous voice crying in the wilderness in [Isaiah 40:3](/isaiah/40-3 "Isaiah 40:3 - Prepare the Way of the Lord").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting for Isaiah 57:14 is the looming or ongoing Babylonian exile of the Jewish people (586-539 BC). The vivid imagery of "preparing the way" (Hebrew: _solu solu derek_) would have resonated deeply with ancient Near Eastern practices, where significant roads were meticulously cleared, leveled, and often elevated for the grand procession of kings, armies, or revered dignitaries. Such an undertaking was a monumental task, symbolizing a major event or a triumphant return. For the exiled Israelites, this imagery would have powerfully evoked the long-awaited and divinely orchestrated return to their homeland, a new exodus from captivity. Culturally, the "stumblingblock" (Hebrew: _mikshol_) could refer to literal physical obstructions on a path, but its more profound meaning in this context is symbolic: anything that caused moral or spiritual failure, such as rampant idolatry, pervasive injustice, or persistent disobedience to God's covenant, which had directly led to their devastating exile. The divine command therefore implies both God's sovereign act of clearing the path and humanity's essential responsibility to remove spiritual impediments to genuine worship and faithful living.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching theological themes woven throughout the book of Isaiah and the broader prophetic corpus. Firstly, it powerfully articulates the theme of **Divine Initiative and Restoration**, showcasing God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people by taking the lead in preparing a way for their physical return and, more importantly, their spiritual renewal. Secondly, it highlights the crucial theme of **Human Responsibility in Repentance and Obedience**, as the imperative to "take up the stumblingblock" implies an active and necessary participation by the people in purging sin and idolatry from their lives, thereby paving the way for authentic reconciliation with God. This aligns with the broader prophetic call for genuine repentance, as seen in [Isaiah 55:7](/isaiah/55-7 "Isaiah 55:7 - Let the Wicked Forsake His Way"). Thirdly, the verse speaks to the profound theme of **Spiritual Purity and Unhindered Access to God**, emphasizing that a clear and unencumbered path is absolutely essential for God's people to walk in His ways and experience His presence without impediment. The ultimate goal is the removal of anything that obstructs their journey towards God's promised peace and salvation, a peace that the unrepentant wicked cannot know, as emphatically stated in [Isaiah 57:21](/isaiah/57-21 "Isaiah 57:21 - No Peace for the Wicked").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Cast ye up (Hebrew, _çâlal'_):** This verb, powerfully repeated for emphasis in the imperative, means "to mound up," "to build a highway," or "to exalt." It literally describes the laborious process of constructing an elevated road or causeway, often by piling up earth and stones to create a smooth, unobstructed path suitable for a grand procession. Figuratively, it implies making a way clear, prominent, and accessible, removing all irregularities and hindrances. The repetition "Cast ye up, cast ye up" underscores the extreme urgency and monumental scale of the task, suggesting a strenuous and collective effort required to prepare for God's majestic movement or the glorious return of His people.
* **stumblingblock (Hebrew, _mikshôwl'_):** Derived from the root meaning "to stumble" or "to fall," this noun refers to anything that causes one to trip, fall, or be led astray. While it can denote a literal obstacle on a path, its deeper meaning in this prophetic context is a moral or spiritual impediment. In Isaiah, it frequently signifies idolatry, sin, unfaithfulness, or any form of spiritual corruption that causes God's people to deviate from His righteous path and incur divine judgment. Its decisive removal is presented as critical for spiritual progress, reconciliation, and restoration.
* **way (Hebrew, _derek'_):** This versatile and significant noun primarily means "a road" or "path" (as trodden). Figuratively, it encompasses a course of life, a mode of action, a journey, or even a specific custom. In Isaiah 57:14, it refers to both a literal path for the returning exiles from Babylon and, more profoundly, the spiritual "way" or righteous conduct expected of God's covenant people. The command to "prepare the way" and "take up the stumblingblock out of the way" highlights the paramount importance of an unobstructed path for God's people to walk in righteousness, return to His favor, and experience His promised peace.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And shall say":** This introductory phrase signals a divine pronouncement or an authoritative command issued by God Himself, likely through His prophet Isaiah. It establishes the weight and urgency of the directives that follow, indicating that the subsequent actions are not human suggestions but divinely mandated imperatives requiring immediate and obedient response.
* **"Cast ye up, cast ye up":** This emphatic repetition of the imperative verb dramatically underscores the urgency, intensity, and sheer importance of the command. It is a powerful call to diligent, strenuous, and perhaps even communal effort, literally meaning to build up a highway or clear a path. This suggests a monumental task of preparing a smooth, elevated, and prominent road, suitable for a significant divine procession or the long-awaited journey of God's people.
* **"prepare the way":** This phrase clarifies the ultimate purpose of the "casting up." It is about making ready a clear, unobstructed, and accessible path. This "way" is not merely a physical road but also metaphorically represents the righteous course of life, the spiritual journey back to God, and the necessary conditions for God's people to return to Him and walk in accordance with His divine will.
* **"take up the stumblingblock":** This is the core, specific action commanded within the broader preparation. A "stumblingblock" is anything that causes one to trip, fall, or be led astray, whether literally or spiritually. This command is a direct, urgent call to actively identify, confront, and decisively remove all impediments—be they literal obstacles, moral failings, pervasive idolatrous practices, or societal injustices—that hinder the spiritual progress, faithfulness, and well-being of God's people.
* **"out of the way of my people":** This concluding clause specifies both the beneficiaries and the intimate context of this divine preparation. The "way" is explicitly designated "of my people," emphatically highlighting God's enduring covenant relationship with Israel. The removal of these stumblingblocks is for their ultimate benefit, enabling them to walk unimpeded in God's presence, to return from their desolate exile, and to live in full accordance with His righteous will, thereby experiencing the profound peace and restoration He so earnestly desires for them.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 57:14 is rich in **literary devices** that amplify its urgent and profound message. The most striking is **Repetition**, evident in the double imperative, "Cast ye up, cast ye up." This emphatic reiteration serves to underscore the extreme urgency, the monumental scale, and the critical importance of the command, demanding immediate, vigorous, and sustained action from the recipients. It creates a powerful sense of intensity and highlights the magnitude of the task at hand. Another significant device is **Metaphor** (or **Symbolism**), where the "way" and the "stumblingblock" transcend their literal meanings to carry profound spiritual significance. The "way" symbolizes the path of righteousness, the journey of reconciliation with God, or the conditions necessary for divine presence, while the "stumblingblock" represents sin, idolatry, unfaithfulness, or any moral impediment that leads to spiritual downfall and separation from God. This metaphorical language allows the prophecy to extend beyond its immediate historical context of physical return from exile and apply to universal spiritual realities. Furthermore, the pervasive use of the **Imperative Mood** throughout the verse ("Cast ye up," "prepare," "take up") creates a direct, authoritative, and actionable tone, emphasizing that this is a divine command requiring immediate obedience and active participation from God's people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 57:14 functions as a profound theological statement concerning God's fervent desire for an unhindered, intimate relationship with His people, coupled with His call for them to actively participate in clearing the path for His redemptive work. It masterfully navigates the ongoing tension between divine initiative and human responsibility in the grand process of salvation and sanctification. The "stumblingblock" can be understood comprehensively as anything that creates separation between humanity and God – whether it be blatant sin, pervasive idolatry, systemic injustice, or even subtle self-righteousness. God, in His boundless mercy and sovereign power, commands the removal of these formidable barriers, not merely for the physical return of His people from exile, but, more profoundly, for their spiritual restoration and the ultimate establishment of His righteous kingdom. This prophetic call foreshadows the ultimate removal of humanity's greatest stumbling block, sin, through the vicarious and atoning work of Jesus Christ, and simultaneously establishes an enduring Christian imperative to live in a manner that does not cause others to stumble in their faith or walk.

* [Isaiah 40:3](/isaiah/40-3 "Isaiah 40:3 - The Voice Crying in the Wilderness")
* [Malachi 3:1](/malachi/3-1 "Malachi 3:1 - The Messenger of the Covenant")
* [Romans 14:13](/romans/14-13 "Romans 14:13 - Do Not Cause a Brother to Stumble")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 57:14 issues a timeless and urgent call to action for believers in every generation, urging us to actively and courageously identify and remove "stumblingblocks" – both in our personal lives and in the paths of those around us – thereby ensuring a clear and unobstructed way for God's redemptive and transformative work. This imperative demands a deep, honest, and introspective examination of our own hearts, confronting the personal habits, entrenched attitudes, and persistent sins that hinder our spiritual growth, impede our intimate walk with God, and diminish our witness. Furthermore, the call extends to our communal responsibilities, challenging us as the body of Christ to actively dismantle systemic injustices, pervasive prejudices, and cultural barriers that prevent others from encountering the liberating truth of the Gospel or experiencing the fullness of God's grace and love. Just as the ancient Israelites were summoned to prepare for God's glorious return and restoration, we are likewise called to "make straight the paths for the Lord's" ongoing work in the world, living lives marked by genuine repentance, spiritual purity, and selfless love that powerfully reflect His transformative power and compellingly invite others into His glorious presence and kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific "stumblingblocks" (sins, habits, attitudes, or unconfessed areas) in my own life are currently hindering my spiritual progress and deepening relationship with God?**
* **In what subtle or overt ways might I, perhaps unintentionally, be placing "stumblingblocks" in the path of others, potentially preventing them from drawing closer to Christ or growing in their faith?**
* **How can my local community of faith collectively work to identify and actively remove societal, cultural, or even internal barriers that impede the authentic spread of the Gospel and hinder people from encountering God's truth?**
* **What concrete, practical steps can I commit to taking this week to "cast up" and "prepare the way" for God's ongoing work in my personal life and in the lives of those within my sphere of influence?**

### FAQ
**Who is speaking in Isaiah 57:14, and to whom is the command directed?**

Answer: While the verse begins with the slightly ambiguous "And shall say," implying a speaker, the broader prophetic context of the book of Isaiah clearly indicates that this is a divine command, uttered either directly by God Himself or through His inspired prophetic messenger, Isaiah. The imperative "Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock" is primarily directed to those who are faithful, or more broadly, to those who are called to participate in God's work of preparing for His restoration. This could encompass the returning exiles themselves, the spiritual and civil leaders among them, or even angelic beings, all of whom are tasked with clearing the path for God's people to return to Him and to their promised land. It signifies a collective and urgent effort, divinely prompted, to ensure an unhindered journey.

**What are the primary "stumblingblocks" being referenced in this verse?**

Answer: The "stumblingblock" (Hebrew: _mikshôwl_) in Isaiah 57:14 primarily refers to anything that causes spiritual or moral downfall, leading to separation from God. In the immediate literary context of Isaiah 57, this would prominently include the rampant idolatry, spiritual unfaithfulness, and moral corruption that characterized Israel and directly led to their devastating exile (as powerfully detailed in [Isaiah 57:3-10](/isaiah/57-3-10 "Isaiah 57:3-10 - Indictment Against Idolatry and Unfaithfulness")). Beyond these specific sins, it encompasses any impediment to a right and covenantal relationship with God, such as pervasive injustice, societal oppression, or a profound lack of genuine repentance. Figuratively, it represents anything that obstructs God's people from walking in His righteous "way" (Hebrew: _derek_) and experiencing His promised peace, restoration, and blessing.

**How does this verse relate to the concept of "preparing the way" in the New Testament?**

Answer: Isaiah 57:14, with its powerful call to "prepare the way," finds a profound echo and ultimate, redemptive fulfillment in the New Testament. The most direct and explicit connection is found in the ministry of John the Baptist, who self-consciously identified himself as the prophetic "voice crying in the wilderness," fulfilling the ancient prophecy of [Isaiah 40:3](/isaiah/40-3 "Isaiah 40:3 - The Voice in the Wilderness") to "prepare the way of the Lord" (as recorded in [Matthew 3:3](/matthew/3-3 "Matthew 3:3 - John the Baptist Prepares the Way for Jesus")). John's divine mission was to call people to radical repentance and to prepare their hearts spiritually for the imminent arrival of Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah. In this New Testament context, the "stumblingblocks" he sought to remove were the sins, unrighteousness, and hardened hearts that prevented people from recognizing, receiving, and truly believing in God's ultimate salvation embodied in Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 57:14's profound imperative to "Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people" finds its most complete and glorious fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. While initially a prophetic call for the physical and spiritual restoration of Israel, the ultimate "way" prepared is the path to God Himself, a path uniquely opened and made accessible by Christ. John the Baptist, as the prophetic voice crying in the wilderness, literally fulfilled the call to "prepare the way of the Lord" for Jesus' first advent, urging repentance and clearing the spiritual ground in people's hearts, making them receptive to the Messiah (as seen in [Matthew 3:3](/matthew/3-3 "Matthew 3:3 - John the Baptist's Ministry")). Jesus, the Lamb of God, then became the ultimate "remover of the stumblingblock." The greatest and most formidable impediment between a holy God and sinful humanity is sin itself, and Christ, through His perfect life, sacrificial death on the cross, and glorious resurrection, took away the sin of the world, thereby removing the ultimate "stumblingblock" that prevented access to God's presence, forgiveness, and eternal life (as powerfully proclaimed in [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). He is not merely one who prepares a way, but He *is* the "new and living way" through the veil of His flesh, granting us bold and confident access to the Father (as profoundly taught in [Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19-20 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - The New and Living Way Through Christ")). Thus, the ancient prophetic call for a clear path culminates in Christ, who not only prepared the way but definitively *is* the Way, the Truth, and the Life, making it eternally possible for all of God's people to walk unimpeded into His glorious presence and everlasting kingdom (as declared by Jesus Himself in [John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 62:10

¶ 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 40:3

¶ The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

Isaiah 35:8

And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it [shall be] for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err [therein].

Luke 3:5

Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways [shall be] made smooth;

Luke 3:6

And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

Jeremiah 18:15

Because my people hath forgotten me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways [from] the ancient paths, to walk in paths, [in] a way not cast up;

1 Corinthians 8:13

Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.