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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Isaiah 40:3 A voice of one calling: "Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/isaiah/40-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/23_Isa_40_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Isaiah 40:3 - Prepare the Way for the LORD" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="A voice of one calling: Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/isaiah/40-3.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/isaiah/40-3.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/isaiah/">Isaiah</a> > <a href="/isaiah/40.htm">Chapter 40</a> > Verse 3</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/isaiah/40-2.htm" title="Isaiah 40:2">◄</a> Isaiah 40:3 <a href="/isaiah/40-4.htm" title="Isaiah 40:4">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/isaiah/40.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/isaiah/40.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />A voice of one calling: &#8220In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/isaiah/40.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting, “Clear the way through the wilderness for the LORD! Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/isaiah/40.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/40.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />A voice of one calling: “Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/isaiah/40.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/isaiah/40.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the LORD; Make straight in the desert A highway for our God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/isaiah/40.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The voice of one calling out, “Clear the way for the LORD in the wilderness; Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/isaiah/40.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />A voice is calling, &#8220Clear the way for the LORD in the wilderness; Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/isaiah/40.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />A voice is calling, “Clear the way for the LORD in the wilderness; Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/isaiah/40.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />A voice is calling, “Prepare the way for Yahweh in the wilderness; Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/isaiah/40.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />A voice of one is calling out, “Clear the way for the LORD in the wilderness [remove the obstacles]; Make straight <i>and</i> smooth in the desert a highway for our God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/isaiah/40.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A voice of one crying out: Prepare the way of the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/isaiah/40.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A voice of one crying out: Prepare the way of the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/isaiah/40.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The voice of one that crieth, Prepare ye in the wilderness the way of Jehovah; make level in the desert a highway for our God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/isaiah/40.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Someone is shouting: "Clear a path in the desert! Make a straight road for the LORD our God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/isaiah/40.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The voice of one that crieth, Prepare ye in the wilderness the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/isaiah/40.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />A voice cries out in the desert: "Clear a way for the LORD. Make a straight highway in the wilderness for our God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/isaiah/40.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />A voice cries out, "Prepare in the wilderness a road for the LORD! Clear the way in the desert for our God! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/isaiah/40.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />A voice cries out: 'In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD; and in the desert a straight highway for our God.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/isaiah/40.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />A voice of one calling: ?Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/isaiah/40.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />A voice cries out, "In the wilderness clear a way for the LORD; construct in the desert a road for our God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/isaiah/40.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The voice of one who calls out in the wilderness, "Prepare the way of the LORD. Make his roads straight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/isaiah/40.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/isaiah/40.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The voice of one who calls out, “Prepare the way of Yahweh in the wilderness! Make a level highway in the desert for our God. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/isaiah/40.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />A voice is crying in a wilderness: “Prepare the way of YHWH, "" Make straight in a desert a highway for our God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/isaiah/40.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> A voice is crying -- in a wilderness -- Prepare ye the way of Jehovah, Make straight in a desert a highway to our God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/isaiah/40.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The voice of him calling in the desert, Prepare ye the way of Jehovah, make straight in the sterile region a highway for our God.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/isaiah/40.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The voice of one crying in the desert: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the wilderness the paths of our God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/isaiah/40.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />The voice of one crying out in the desert: “Prepare the way of the Lord! Make straight the paths of our God, in a solitary place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/isaiah/40.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />A voice proclaims: In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/40.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/40.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The voice of him that cries in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/isaiah/40.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />The voice that cried out in the wilderness: “Return to the road for LORD JEHOVAH and straighten in the plain the street for our God<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/isaiah/40.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Hark! one calleth: 'Clear ye in the wilderness the way of the LORD, Make plain in the desert A highway for our God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/isaiah/40.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight the paths of our God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/isaiah/40-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xv9bHT-nr9s?start=8462" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/40.htm">Prepare the Way for the LORD</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">2</span>“Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her forced labor has been completed; her iniquity has been pardoned. For she has received from the hand of the LORD double for all her sins.” <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6963.htm" title="6963: qō·wl (N-ms) -- Sound, voice. Or qol; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a voice or sound.">A voice</a> <a href="/hebrew/7121.htm" title="7121: qō·w·rê (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To call, proclaim, read. A primitive root; to call out to.">of one calling:</a> <a href="/hebrew/6437.htm" title="6437: pan·nū (V-Piel-Imp-mp) -- To turn. A primitive root; to turn; by implication, to face, i.e. Appear, look, etc.">“Prepare</a> <a href="/hebrew/1870.htm" title="1870: de·reḵ (N-csc) -- Way, road, distance, journey, manner. From darak; a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb.">the way</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">for the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/4057.htm" title="4057: bam·miḏ·bār (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- A pasture, a desert, speech. From dabar in the sense of driving; a pasture; by implication, a desert; also speech.">in the wilderness;</a> <a href="/hebrew/3474.htm" title="3474: yaš·šə·rū (V-Piel-Imp-mp) -- To be smooth, straight, or right. A primitive root; to be straight or even; figuratively, to be right, pleasant, prosperous.">make a straight</a> <a href="/hebrew/4546.htm" title="4546: mə·sil·lāh (N-fs) -- A highway. From calal; a thoroughfare, literally or figuratively; specifically a viaduct, a staircase.">highway</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: lê·lō·hê·nū (Prep-l:: N-mpc:: 1cp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">for our God</a> <a href="/hebrew/6160.htm" title="6160: bā·‘ă·rā·ḇāh (Prep-b, Art:: N-fs) -- From arab; a desert; especially the sterile valley of the Jordan and its continuation to the Red Sea.">in the desert.</a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill made low; the uneven ground will become smooth, and the rugged land a plain.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/3-3.htm">Matthew 3:3</a></span><br />This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/1-2.htm">Mark 1:2-3</a></span><br />As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way.” / “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/3-4.htm">Luke 3:4-6</a></span><br />as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him. / Every valley shall be filled in, and every mountain and hill made low. The crooked ways shall be made straight, and the rough ways smooth. / And all humanity will see God’s salvation.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-23.htm">John 1:23</a></span><br />John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet: “I am a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/3-1.htm">Malachi 3:1</a></span><br />“Behold, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple—the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight—see, He is coming,” says the LORD of Hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/4-5.htm">Malachi 4:5-6</a></span><br />Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and awesome Day of the LORD. / And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers. Otherwise, I will come and strike the land with a curse.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/11-10.htm">Matthew 11:10</a></span><br />This is the one about whom it is written: ‘Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way before You.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/1-4.htm">Mark 1:4</a></span><br />John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/1-76.htm">Luke 1:76</a></span><br />And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for Him,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/3-28.htm">John 3:28</a></span><br />You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but am sent ahead of Him.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/23-20.htm">Exodus 23:20</a></span><br />Behold, I am sending an angel before you to protect you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/68-4.htm">Psalm 68:4</a></span><br />Sing to God! Sing praises to His name. Exalt Him who rides on the clouds—His name is the LORD—and rejoice before Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/78-52.htm">Psalm 78:52</a></span><br />He led out His people like sheep and guided them like a flock in the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/107-4.htm">Psalm 107:4</a></span><br />Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no path to a city in which to dwell.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/57-14.htm">Isaiah 57:14</a></span><br />And it will be said, “Build it up, build it up, prepare the way, take every obstacle out of the way of My people.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The voice of him that cries in the wilderness, Prepare you the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.</p><p class="hdg">the voice</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/3-1.htm">Matthew 3:1-3</a></b></br> In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/mark/1-2.htm">Mark 1:2-5</a></b></br> As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/3-2.htm">Luke 3:2-6</a></b></br> Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness… </p><p class="hdg">prepare</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/35-8.htm">Isaiah 35:8</a></b></br> 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 <i>shall be</i> for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err <i>therein</i>.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/57-14.htm">Isaiah 57:14</a></b></br> And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/62-10.htm">Isaiah 62:10,11</a></b></br> 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… </p><p class="hdg">make</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/11-15.htm">Isaiah 11:15,16</a></b></br> And the LORD shall utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with his mighty wind shall he shake his hand over the river, and shall smite it in the seven streams, and make <i>men</i> go over dryshod… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/43-19.htm">Isaiah 43:19</a></b></br> Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, <i>and</i> rivers in the desert.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/49-11.htm">Isaiah 49:11</a></b></br> And I will make all my mountains a way, and my highways shall be exalted.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/21-11.htm">Calls</a> <a href="/isaiah/37-20.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/isaiah/38-14.htm">Cries</a> <a href="/isaiah/26-17.htm">Crieth</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-2.htm">Crying</a> <a href="/isaiah/35-6.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/isaiah/13-4.htm">Hark</a> <a href="/isaiah/36-2.htm">Highway</a> <a href="/isaiah/28-17.htm">Level</a> <a href="/isaiah/33-9.htm">Plain</a> <a href="/isaiah/38-21.htm">Prepare</a> <a href="/isaiah/38-20.htm">Ready</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-10.htm">Smooth</a> <a href="/isaiah/26-7.htm">Straight</a> <a href="/isaiah/37-23.htm">Voice</a> <a href="/isaiah/37-27.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/isaiah/38-3.htm">Way</a> <a href="/isaiah/35-6.htm">Wilderness</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/40-26.htm">Calls</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-5.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-13.htm">Cries</a> <a href="/jeremiah/12-8.htm">Crieth</a> <a href="/isaiah/65-14.htm">Crying</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-18.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-6.htm">Hark</a> <a href="/isaiah/62-10.htm">Highway</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-16.htm">Level</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-4.htm">Plain</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-20.htm">Prepare</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-22.htm">Ready</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-7.htm">Smooth</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-4.htm">Straight</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-6.htm">Voice</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-18.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-14.htm">Way</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-18.htm">Wilderness</a><div class="vheading2">Isaiah 40</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/40-1.htm">The promulgation of the Gospel</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/40-3.htm">The preaching of John Baptist foretold</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/40-9.htm">The preaching of the apostles foretold</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/40-12.htm">The prophet, by the omnipotence of God</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/40-18.htm">And his incomparableness</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/40-26.htm">Comforts the people.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/40.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/isaiah/40.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>A voice of one calling:</b><br>This phrase introduces a prophetic voice, often understood as a herald or messenger. In the New Testament, this is identified with John the Baptist (<a href="/matthew/3-3.htm">Matthew 3:3</a>; <a href="/mark/1-3.htm">Mark 1:3</a>; <a href="/luke/3-4.htm">Luke 3:4</a>; <a href="/john/1-23.htm">John 1:23</a>), who prepares the way for Jesus Christ. The concept of a "voice" emphasizes the importance of proclamation and the divine message being delivered.<p><b>Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness;</b><br>The wilderness symbolizes a place of desolation and testing, reminiscent of Israel's journey through the desert after the Exodus. Preparing the way for the LORD suggests making ready for God's coming, both spiritually and physically. This preparation involves repentance and turning back to God, as seen in John the Baptist's ministry. The wilderness also reflects the spiritual barrenness of Israel at the time, needing renewal and divine intervention.<p><b>make a straight highway for our God in the desert.</b><br>The imagery of a straight highway signifies removing obstacles and creating a direct path for God's arrival. In ancient times, roads were prepared for the visit of a king, symbolizing honor and readiness. Spiritually, this calls for the removal of sin and the establishment of righteousness. The desert, a place of solitude and reflection, becomes a metaphor for the human heart, which must be prepared to receive the Lord. This passage foreshadows the coming of Christ, who is the way to God, fulfilling the prophecy of divine visitation and salvation.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_voice.htm">The Voice</a></b><br>This refers to a prophetic figure who calls for preparation for the coming of the LORD. In the New Testament, this is identified with John the Baptist, who prepares the way for Jesus Christ.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD</a></b><br>The central figure for whom the way is being prepared. In the context of Isaiah, this refers to Yahweh, the God of Israel, and in the New Testament, it is understood as Jesus Christ.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_wilderness.htm">The Wilderness</a></b><br>A symbolic place representing spiritual barrenness or desolation. It is where the preparation for the LORD's coming is to occur.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_highway.htm">The Highway</a></b><br>Symbolizes the removal of obstacles and the creation of a direct path for God's arrival, indicating readiness and repentance.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_desert.htm">The Desert</a></b><br>Represents a place of testing and purification, where God's people are called to prepare for His coming.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/p/preparation_for_the_lord.htm">Preparation for the Lord</a></b><br>Just as the Israelites were called to prepare for God's coming, Christians today are called to prepare their hearts for Christ's return. This involves repentance, spiritual renewal, and removing obstacles that hinder our relationship with God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/role_of_the_messenger.htm">Role of the Messenger</a></b><br>John the Baptist's role as the forerunner of Christ serves as a model for believers to be messengers of the Gospel, preparing others to receive Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_wilderness.htm">Spiritual Wilderness</a></b><br>The wilderness represents times of spiritual dryness or challenge. Believers are encouraged to seek God earnestly during these times, trusting that He is preparing them for greater things.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/straight_paths.htm">Straight Paths</a></b><br>Making straight paths involves aligning our lives with God's will, removing sin, and living in obedience to His Word.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/anticipation_of_christ's_return.htm">Anticipation of Christ's Return</a></b><br>Just as the people of Isaiah's time anticipated the coming of the LORD, Christians are called to live in anticipation of Christ's second coming, maintaining a posture of readiness and hope.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_isaiah_40.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 40</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_isaiah_40_3_fit_isaiah's_era.htm">Isaiah 40:3: If this prophecy supposedly points to John the Baptist, how does it align with the immediate historical setting of Isaiah’s time? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'voice_in_the_wilderness'_mean.htm">What does "voice in the wilderness" signify?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_the_diatessaron's_purpose.htm">What is the Diatessaron's purpose and content?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_gospel_accounts_of_jesus'_baptism_differ.htm">Why do the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ baptism by John differ significantly?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/isaiah/40.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) <span class= "bld">The voice of him that crieth . . .</span>--The laws of Hebrew parallelism require a different punctuation: <span class= "ital">A voice of one crying, In the wilderness, prepare ye </span><span class= "bld">. . .</span> The passage is memorable as having been deliberately taken by the Baptist as defining his own mission (<a href="/john/1-23.htm" title="He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.">John 1:23</a>). As here the herald is not named, so he was content to efface himself--to be a <span class= "ital">voice </span>or nothing. The image is drawn from the march of Eastern kings, who often boast, as in the Assyrian inscriptions of Sennacherib and Assurbanipal (<span class= "ital">Records of the Past, i.</span> 95, vii. 64), of the roads they have made in trackless deserts. The wilderness is that which lay between the Euphrates and Judah, the journey of the exiles through it reminding the prophet of the older wanderings in the wilderness of Sin (<a href="/psalms/68-7.htm" title="O God, when you went forth before your people, when you did march through the wilderness; Selah:">Psalm 68:7</a>; <a href="/judges/5-4.htm" title="LORD, when you went out of Seir, when you marched out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, and the heavens dropped, the clouds also dropped water.">Judges 5:4</a>). The words are an echo of the earlier thought of <a href="/isaiah/35-8.htm" title="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.">Isaiah 35:8</a>. We are left to conjecture to whom the command is addressed: tribes of the desert, angelic ministers, kings and rulers--the very vagueness giving a grand universality. So, again, we are not told whether the "way of Jehovah" is that on which He comes to meet His people, or on which He goes before and guides them. The analogy of the marches of the Exodus makes the latter view the more probable.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/40.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The voice of him that crieth</span>; rather, <span class="accented">the voice of one that crieth.</span> A voice sounds in the prophet's ear, crying to repentance. For God to come down on earth, for his glory to be revealed in any signal way, by the restoration of a nation, or the revelation of himself in Christ, or the final establishment of his kingdom, the "way" must be first "prepared" for him. The hearts of the disobedient must be turned to the wisdom of the just. In the wilderness; either, "the wilderness of this world" (Kay), or "the wilderness separating Babylonia from Palestine" (Delitzsch), in a part of which John the Baptist afterwards preached. <span class="cmt_word">Prepare ye the way of the Lord</span>. The "way of the Lord" is "the way of holiness" (<a href="/isaiah/35-8.htm">Isaiah 35:8</a>). There is one only mode of "preparing" it - the mode adopted by John Baptist (<a href="/matthew/3-2.htm">Matthew 3:2-12</a>), the mode pointed out by the angel who announced him (<a href="/luke/1-17.htm">Luke 1:17</a>), the mode insisted on in the Collect for the Third Sunday in Advent. The voice enjoins on the prophets of the captive nation to prepare the hearts of the people for the coming manifestation of God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/isaiah/40-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">A voice</span><br /><span class="heb">ק֣וֹל</span> <span class="translit">(qō·wl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6963.htm">Strong's 6963: </a> </span><span class="str2">A voice, sound</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of one calling:</span><br /><span class="heb">קוֹרֵ֔א</span> <span class="translit">(qō·w·rê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7121.htm">Strong's 7121: </a> </span><span class="str2">To call, proclaim, read</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Prepare</span><br /><span class="heb">פַּנּ֖וּ</span> <span class="translit">(pan·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6437.htm">Strong's 6437: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn, to face, appear, look</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the way</span><br /><span class="heb">דֶּ֣רֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(de·reḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1870.htm">Strong's 1870: </a> </span><span class="str2">A road, a course of life, mode of action</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in the wilderness;</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּמִּדְבָּ֕ר</span> <span class="translit">(bam·miḏ·bār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4057.htm">Strong's 4057: </a> </span><span class="str2">A pasture, a desert, speech</span><br /><br /><span class="word">make a straight</span><br /><span class="heb">יַשְּׁרוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(yaš·šə·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3474.htm">Strong's 3474: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be straight, even, to be, right, pleasant, prosperous</span><br /><br /><span class="word">highway</span><br /><span class="heb">מְסִלָּ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(mə·sil·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4546.htm">Strong's 4546: </a> </span><span class="str2">A thoroughfare, a viaduct, a staircase</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for our God</span><br /><span class="heb">לֵאלֹהֵֽינוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(lê·lō·hê·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in the desert.</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּעֲרָבָ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(bā·‘ă·rā·ḇāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6160.htm">Strong's 6160: </a> </span><span class="str2">Arabah -- a steppe or desert plain, also a desert valley running south from the Sea of Galilee</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/40-3.htm">Isaiah 40:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/isaiah/40-3.htm">Isaiah 40:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/isaiah/40-3.htm">Isaiah 40:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/isaiah/40-3.htm">Isaiah 40:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/isaiah/40-3.htm">Isaiah 40:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/40-3.htm">Isaiah 40:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/40-3.htm">Isaiah 40:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/40-3.htm">Isaiah 40:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/40-3.htm">Isaiah 40:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/isaiah/40-3.htm">Isaiah 40:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/isaiah/40-3.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 40:3 The voice of one who calls out (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/40-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 40:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 40:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/40-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 40:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 40:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>