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Isaiah 49:11

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 49:11 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And I will make all my mountains a way, and my highways shall be exalted.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And I will make all my mountains a way, and my highways shall be exalted.
Isaiah 49:11 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 49

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
8Thus saith Jehovah, In an acceptable time have I answered thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee; and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to raise up the land, to make them inherit the desolate heritages:
9saying to them that are bound, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Show yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and on all bare heights shall be their pasture.
10They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them will lead them, even by springs of water will he guide them.
11And I will make all my mountains a way, and my highways shall be exalted.
12Lo, these shall come from far; and, lo, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Sinim.
13Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for Jehovah hath comforted his people, and will have compassion upon his afflicted.
14But Zion said, Jehovah hath forsaken me, and the Lord hath forgotten me.
← Isaiah 49:10Isaiah 49:12 →
← Full Chapter 49 Isaiah Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And I will make all my mountains a way, &c.] Or “for”, or “into a way”f975; signifying that they should be dug through or levelled, and a way made through them, over them, or upon them, for his people to pass: very probably the allusion is to the mountains that lay between Babylon and Judea; and which the Lord calls his, because of his making and settling, and was therefore able to make them a way, or passable: though the words are not to be literally understood, but denote the removing of all impediments, obstructions, and difficulties, in the people’s return from captivity; which was typical of redemption by Christ, which had its difficulties, which he only could get over; he came leaping…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“my--All things are God's. mountains a way--I will remove all obstructions out of the way (Isa 40:4). exalted--that is, cast up (Isa 57:14; Isa 62:10); for instance, over valleys. VITRINGA explains "mountains" as great kingdoms, Egypt, Syria, &c., subjected to Rome, to facilitate the spreading of the Gospel; "highways," the Christian doctrine wherein those who join the Church walk, and which, at the time of Constantine, was to be raised into prominence before all, and publicly protected (Isa 35:8-9).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And I will make all my mountains a way - I will make all the mountains for a highway; or an even, level way. That is, he would remove all obstructions from their path. The image is taken from the return from Babylon to the land of Palestine, in which God so often promises to make the hills a plain, and the crooked places straight (see the notes at Isaiah 40:4). And my highways shall be exalted - That is, the way shall be cast up (see Isaiah 57:14; Isaiah 62:10), as when a road is made over valleys and gulf (see the notes at Isaiah 40:4). return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“A way - I will remove all hindrances, and prepare the way for them, by levelling high grounds, and raising low grounds. Isaiah 49:12”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Isa 11:16, Isa 35:8-10, Isa 40:3, Isa 40:4, Isa 43:19, Isa 57:14, Isa 62:10; Psa 107:4, Psa 107:7; Luk 3:4, Luk 3:5; Joh 14:6 Isaiah 49:12”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification