Isaiah 40:4

4 Fill in the valleys, level off the hills, Smooth out the ruts, clear out the rocks.

Isaiah 40:4 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 40:4

Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill
shall be made low
Which is not to be understood literally, but, as Kimchi says, parabolically and mystically: the meaning is, that in consequence of John's ministry, and our Lord's coming, such who were depressed and bowed down with the guilt of sin, and were low and humble in their own eyes, should be raised up and comforted; and that such who were elated with themselves, and their own righteousness, should be humbled; their pride and haughtiness should be brought down, and they treated with neglect and contempt, while great notice was taken of lowly minded ones; see ( Luke 14:11 ) and ( Luke 18:14 ) : and the crooked shall be straight and the rough places plain;
what before was dark and intricate in prophecy should now become clear; and such doctrines as were not so well understood should now become plain and easy.

Isaiah 40:4 In-Context

2 "Speak softly and tenderly to Jerusalem, but also make it very clear That she has served her sentence, that her sin is taken care of - forgiven! She's been punished enough and more than enough, and now it's over and done with."
3 Thunder in the desert! "Prepare for God's arrival! Make the road straight and smooth, a highway fit for our God.
4 Fill in the valleys, level off the hills, Smooth out the ruts, clear out the rocks.
5 Then God's bright glory will shine and everyone will see it. Yes. Just as God has said."
6 A voice says, "Shout!" I said, "What shall I shout?" "These people are nothing but grass, their love fragile as wildflowers.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.