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Isaiah 2:19

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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.

And they shall go {H935} into the holes {H4631} of the rocks {H6697}, and into the caves {H4247} of the earth {H6083}, for {H6440} fear {H6343} of the LORD {H3068}, and for the glory {H1926} of his majesty {H1347}, when he ariseth {H6965} to shake terribly {H6206} the earth {H776}.

People will enter cracks in the rocks and holes in the ground to escape the terror of ADONAI and his glorious majesty, when he sets out to convulse the earth.

Men will flee to caves in the rocks and holes in the ground, away from the terror of the LORD and from the splendor of His majesty, when He rises to shake the earth.

And men shall go into the caves of the rocks, and into the holes of the earth, from before the terror of Jehovah, and from the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake mightily the earth.

Commentary

Isaiah 2:19 is a powerful verse within a passage describing the "day of the LORD," a time of divine judgment upon human pride and all that is exalted against God. It paints a vivid picture of people attempting to escape God's terrifying presence.

Context

Chapter 2 of Isaiah contrasts the glorious future of God's kingdom centered in Zion with the present state of Israel, characterized by idolatry and arrogance. The prophet warns of an impending day when the LORD will humble the proud and judge the wicked. Verses 12-18 detail the objects of God's judgment – everything high and lifted up, including cedars, mountains, towers, and ships, symbolizing human strength, achievement, and idols. Verse 19 describes the fearful reaction of humanity when this judgment arrives.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment: The verse directly speaks to the consequence of God's wrath upon sin and pride, portraying it as a terrifying event.
  • Fear of the LORD: While often meaning reverence, here "fear of the LORD" refers to the terror experienced by the ungodly in the face of His overwhelming power and judgment.
  • Futility of Hiding: People seek refuge in natural shelters (caves, rocks), illustrating the vain attempt to escape God's inescapable presence and power during His judgment.
  • God's Majesty and Power: The judgment is a manifestation of the "glory of his majesty," highlighting God's supreme authority and might that causes the earth itself to tremble.
  • The Day of the LORD: This verse is a key description of the terrible aspect of the Day of the LORD, a recurring theme in prophetic literature.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty" emphasizes that the hiding is a direct result of encountering God's awesome and dreadful presence. The verb translated "shake terribly" (Hebrew: לַהֲדֹף - lahadoph) implies a violent pushing, thrusting, or upheaval, suggesting a profound disruption of the earth.

Cross-References

This imagery of people hiding in caves from God's wrath is echoed in the New Testament description of end-times judgment. See Revelation 6:15-16, where kings, great men, and others hide themselves in dens and rocks of the mountains, crying out to be hidden from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb. This reinforces the theme of the inescapable nature of divine judgment.

Practical Application

Isaiah 2:19 serves as a stark warning about the reality of God's judgment against sin and human arrogance. It reminds us that no human strength, achievement, or hiding place can protect one from the direct encounter with God's holiness and power when He acts in judgment. It underscores the wisdom found in the true fear of the LORD, which is the beginning of wisdom, leading to repentance and seeking refuge in His mercy rather than attempting to hide from His wrath.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 2:10 (7 votes)

    ¶ Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty.

  • Luke 23:30 (6 votes)

    Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.

  • Hosea 10:8 (5 votes)

    The high places also of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed: the thorn and the thistle shall come up on their altars; and they shall say to the mountains, Cover us; and to the hills, Fall on us.

  • Isaiah 2:21 (5 votes)

    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.

  • Haggai 2:6 (3 votes)

    For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it [is] a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry [land];

  • Hebrews 12:26 (3 votes)

    Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.

  • Revelation 11:19 (3 votes)

    And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.