Go on up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage presents a fascinating tension: while the text commands Zion and Jerusalem to "lift up your voice with strength" and "say to the cities of Judah, 'Behold your God!'" much of the scholarly discussion centers on whether Zion and Jerusalem are the givers or the receivers of the good news. The emphasis isn't just on proclaiming God's arrival, but on the sheer, uninhibited joy and power that comes from being the one entrusted to announce such monumental tidings.
Go on up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The prophet is announcing God's imminent return to His people, which will bring comfort and deliverance. This message is addressed to Zion and Jerusalem, calling them to ascend a high place and boldly proclaim the good news to the cities of Judah. The ultimate fulfillment of this promise points to the coming of the Messiah, who embodies God's presence and salvation for all.
Does Zion bring the good news, or receive it? The answer shapes who delivers God's message.
The verse addresses Zion and Jerusalem as "heralds of good news" (or "those who bring good tidings"). While some ancient translations and interpreters suggest Zion is the recipient of the good news, the Hebrew and the flow of the passage point to Zion and Jerusalem as the proclaimers.
The Proclaiming City
From Jerusalem to the World
What's the most powerful message you could ever hear? It's not about escaping trouble, but about the presence of God Himself.
The core of the proclamation is simple, yet profound: "Behold your God!"
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More Than Just a Return
A Foundation for Hope
Why ascend a mountain and shout? God's good news demands a powerful, fearless declaration.
The imagery in Isaiah 40:9 is dramatic and intentional. It calls for a proclamation that is impossible to ignore.
A Public Declaration
Reasons for Fearlessness
Understand the original words
ṣiyyôn · Hebrew Noun
A poetic title for the people of God, often symbolizing the place of God's presence, the site of the temple, and the spiritual center of God's covenant kingdom.
bāśar · Hebrew Verb/Noun
Refers to the proclamation of a message that brings joy, salvation, or a decisive victory, particularly the announcement of God's intervention for His people.
rā'āh · Hebrew Verb/Interjection
An imperative command to look, see, or pay close attention. It is used to draw focus to a significant event, a divine manifestation, or a crucial truth being revealed.
The command for Zion and Jerusalem to 'lift up your voice with strength' and 'Behold your God!' comes to the weary exiles, promising not just a physical return from Babylon but also God's renewed presence and ultimate salvation through the Messiah.
c. 587 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
The Babylonian army, under Nebuchadnezzar II, destroys Jerusalem, burns the Temple, and deports a significant portion of the population to Babylon. This marks the beginning of the Babylonian Exile.
c. 539 BC
Conquest of Babylon by Persia
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquers Babylon. This event sets the stage for the decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Judah.
c. 538 BC
Cyrus's Decree for Return
Cyrus issues a decree permitting the Jewish exiles to return to their homeland and rebuild their Temple. This decree is seen as a fulfillment of prophecies concerning the end of the exile.
c. 520 BC
Rebuilding of the Temple
Under the leadership of Zerubbabel and the prophets Haggai and Zechariah, the Jews begin the strenuous task of rebuilding the Second Temple in Jerusalem, facing significant opposition.
c. 445 BC
Nehemiah Rebuilds Jerusalem's Walls
Nehemiah, cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes I, receives permission to return to Jerusalem and oversee the rebuilding of the city walls, a critical step in restoring Jerusalem's security and status.
Isaiah 40:9— this verse
Proclamation of God's Return
Isaiah's prophetic call to Zion and Jerusalem to announce the imminent return of God's presence and salvation, signaling the end of their desolation and captivity.
c. 1st Century AD
Ministry of John the Baptist
John the Baptist emerges in the wilderness, calling for repentance and proclaiming the imminent arrival of the Messiah, echoing the call to prepare and announce God's coming.
This New Testament passage echoes Isaiah's command, showing how the good news of repentance and forgiveness was to be proclaimed first in Jerusalem and then to all nations, fulfilling the prophetic call.
Acts 1:8Jesus tells his disciples they will receive power to be his witnesses, starting in Jerusalem and spreading outward, directly mirroring the 'high mountain' and 'cities of Judah' imagery of Isaiah's call to proclaim God's presence.
Romans 10:14-15This passage directly quotes Isaiah 52:7 (which is closely related to 40:9) to emphasize that no one can believe without hearing, and no one can preach unless they are sent, highlighting the vital importance of proclaiming the good news.
Isaiah 52:7This verse provides a parallel and foundational statement, describing the messenger with beautiful feet bringing good news and proclaiming peace, reinforcing the theme of announcing God's salvation.
Matthew 28:19-20The Great Commission in the New Testament is the ultimate fulfillment of this command, sending disciples to make disciples of all nations, proclaiming the arrival of God's kingdom with boldness.
barnesIsaiah 40:9: "O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!"
O Zion, that bringest good tidings - This is evidently the continuance of what the 'voice' said, or of the annunciation which was to give joy to an afflicted and oppressed people. There has been, however, much diversity of opinion in regard to the meaning of the p…
cambridgeIsaiah 40:9: "O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!"
9–11 . The prophet announces the triumphal approach of Jehovah to Zion. O Zion … tidings ] R.V. has O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion . Either translation is grammatically admissible; but the second is to be preferred, (1) because of the analogous passages…
This passage presents a fascinating tension: while the text commands Zion and Jerusalem to "lift up your voice with strength" and "say to the cities of Judah, 'Behold your God!'" much of the scholarly discussion centers on whether Zion and Jerusalem are the givers or the receivers of the good news. The emphasis isn't just on proclaiming God's arrival, but on the sheer, uninhibited joy and power that comes from being the one entrusted to announce such monumental tidings.
The prophet is announcing God's imminent return to His people, which will bring comfort and deliverance. This message is addressed to Zion and Jerusalem, calling them to ascend a high place and boldly proclaim the good news to the cities of Judah. The ultimate fulfillment of this promise points to the coming of the Messiah, who embodies God's presence and salvation for all.
The prophet is announcing God's imminent return to His people, which will bring comfort and deliverance. This message is addressed to Zion and Jerusalem, calling them to ascend a high place and boldly proclaim the good news to the cities of Judah. The ultimate fulfillment of this promise points to the coming of the Messiah, who embodies God's presence and salvation for all.
"Go on up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!”" — This passage presents a fascinating tension: while the text commands Zion and Jerusalem to "lift up your voice with strength" and "say to the cities of Judah, 'Behold your God!'" much of the scholarl…
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Last reviewed October 2026