And people shall enter the caves of the rocks and the holes of the ground, from before the terror of the LORD, and from the splendor of his majesty, when he rises to terrify the earth.
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to see this verse as just about hiding from God's judgment. But notice it mentions hiding "from the splendor of his majesty" as well as his terror. This reveals that even God's awesome, glorious presence, when confronting sin, becomes a terrifying thing for the unrighteous.
And people shall enter the caves of the rocks and the holes of the ground, from before the terror of the LORD, and from the splendor of his majesty, when he rises to terrify the earth.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage comes immediately after God's pronouncements against human pride and idol worship, highlighting that all earthly confidence will crumble. Now, Isaiah describes the ultimate consequence for those who refuse to repent: they will seek refuge in the earth itself, not from human enemies, but from the overwhelming, terrifying presence of God’s majesty during his earth-shaking judgment. This scene directly contrasts with the earlier vision of nations flowing to God's mountain, showing the starkly different destinies of the righteous and the wicked.
Why would anyone hide from God's majesty? This verse paints a stark picture of people fleeing into caves and rocks. What does this tell us about the nature of God's presence and humanity's response?
Isaiah 2:19 describes people seeking refuge not from an enemy, but from the "terror of the LORD" and the "splendor of his majesty." This isn't about avoiding God's presence out of simple dislike, but out of profound awe and the realization of one's own sinfulness in the face of His holiness.
The Dual Nature of God's Manifestation
This hiding isn't a permanent escape, but a desperate, immediate reaction to an overwhelming divine encounter.
The verse speaks of God 'rising to shake terribly the earth.' What does this shaking signify, and how is it linked to His glorious arrival?
The imagery of the earth being shaken terribly is a powerful metaphor for divine intervention and judgment. It's not just a physical tremor but a cosmic upheaval that signifies God asserting His authority and bringing His judgment upon the earth.
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God's 'Rising'
This event forces humanity to confront the reality of a God who is not only holy and majestic but also a righteous judge whose actions have earth-shattering consequences.
Understand the original words
pachad · Hebrew Noun
The overwhelming feeling of dread or fear produced by the presence or judgment of God. It is a holy reaction to the realization of God’s absolute power and the creature's unworthiness.
hadar · Hebrew Noun
The manifestation of God's glorious nature, often associated with His presence, power, and sovereign rule. It evokes a sense of overwhelming beauty and moral perfection that leaves creation in awe.
This prophecy uses vivid imagery of hiding in rocks and caves, drawing on the familiar landscape of Judah and historical memories like the great earthquake during Uzziah's reign. It paints a picture of ultimate terror when God rises to judge, a judgment that would find its echo in later historical devastations like the Babylonian exile and the destruction of Jerusalem.
Late 8th Century BC
Reign of Uzziah
A significant earthquake shook Judah during the reign of King Uzziah. This natural disaster, likely remembered by Isaiah and his audience, may have influenced the imagery of earth-shaking judgment in the prophecy.
c. 740 BC— this verse
Isaiah Receives Prophetic Vision
Isaiah receives his foundational vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem, which includes this prophecy of judgment and future restoration.
722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern kingdom of Israel, deporting many inhabitants. This event serves as a stark warning to Judah about the consequences of disobedience and idolatry.
605-586 BC
Babylonian Exile
The Babylonian Empire conquers Judah, destroying Jerusalem and the Temple, and exiling much of the population. This fulfills many of Isaiah's warnings and leads to widespread terror and scattering.
c. 1st Century AD
Destruction of Jerusalem in Revelation
The imagery of hiding in rocks and caves is echoed in the New Testament book of Revelation, describing the terror experienced during the Roman destruction of Jerusalem.
This passage echoes Isaiah's imagery of people hiding in caves and rocks during divine judgment, specifically referencing kings and rulers seeking refuge from God's wrath.
Jeremiah 4:29This verse describes a similar scene of terror and flight, where people are urged to flee and hide from the coming destruction, showing a consistent prophetic theme of divine judgment.
Hosea 10:8This passage uses the same powerful imagery of desperate flight into rocks and mountains for refuge, directly linking the fear of the Lord to a desire for the earth to swallow them up.
Luke 23:30Jesus himself quotes this imagery during His passion, showing the profound and lasting impact of this prophetic warning about the terror of God's judgment.
gillIsaiah 2:19: "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."
And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth,.... That is, the worshippers of idols, as they are bid to do, Isaiah 2:10 . for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty; see Gill on Isaiah 2:10. when be ariseth; out of his place; Jarchi says, at the day of judg…
jfbIsaiah 2:19: "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."
- The fulfilment answers exactly to the threat (Isa 2:10).they—the idol-worshippers.caves—abounding in Judea, a hilly country; hiding-places in times of alarm (1Sa 13:6).shake … earth—and the heavens also (Heb 12:26). Figure for severe and universal judgments.
It's easy to see this verse as just about hiding from God's judgment. But notice it mentions hiding "from the splendor of his majesty" as well as his terror. This reveals that even God's awesome, glorious presence, when confronting sin, becomes a terrifying thing for the unrighteous.
This passage comes immediately after God's pronouncements against human pride and idol worship, highlighting that all earthly confidence will crumble. Now, Isaiah describes the ultimate consequence for those who refuse to repent: they will seek refuge in the earth itself, not from human enemies, but from the overwhelming, terrifying presence of God’s majesty during his earth-shaking judgment. This scene directly contrasts with the earlier vision of nations flowing to God's mountain, showing the starkly different destinies of the righteous and the wicked.
This passage comes immediately after God's pronouncements against human pride and idol worship, highlighting that all earthly confidence will crumble. Now, Isaiah describes the ultimate consequence for those who refuse to repent: they will seek refuge in the earth itself, not from human enemies, but from the overwhelming, terrifying presence of God’s majesty during his earth-shaking judgment. This scene directly contrasts with the earlier vision of nations flowing to God's mountain, showing the starkly different destinies of the righteous and the wicked.
"And people shall enter the caves of the rocks and the holes of the ground, from before the terror of the LORD, and from the splendor of his majesty, when he rises to terrify the earth." — It's easy to see this verse as just about hiding from God's judgment. But notice it mentions hiding "from the splendor of his majesty" as well as his terror. This reveals that even God's awesome, glo…
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Last reviewed October 2026