Here the unidentified messenger promises that everyone will see Yahweh’s majesty as he returns to Jerusalem.

And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed: After the completion of the roadway, Yahweh’s majesty will be visible as he travels on it. Since this is a result, the connector And may be rendered “Then” (Good News Translation). For the glory of the LORD, see the comments on 6.3. Shall be revealed means it will be made visible. Bible en français courant (1997) translates this whole line as “The glorious presence of the Lord will be unveiled.” In languages that do not have the passive voice, it may be rendered “Then the LORD’s majesty will be visible.”

And all flesh shall see it together: All flesh refers to every human being. Good News Translation and New Revised Standard Version say “all people,” while New International Version and Revised English Bible have “all mankind.” It is an exaggeration to emphasize that Yahweh’s majesty will be visible. The adverb together may refer to a mass movement, so New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh renders this line as “And all flesh, as one, shall behold.” It more likely points to a simultaneous action, so a better rendering is “and everyone will see it at the same time.” Good News Translation omits it since it is implied in the reference to “all people.”

For the mouth of the LORD has spoken emphasizes that the prophecy in verses 3-5 will happen because it comes from Yahweh (see the comments on 1.20). What God has said he will do, he will certainly fulfill. This is a very important theme in the rest of the book (see, for example, 44.26; 45.23; 46.10-11; 48.3). For naturalness Good News Translation does not refer to the literal mouth of Yahweh, saying “The LORD himself has promised this.” Bible en français courant is similar with “Such is the command of the Lord,” and so is Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch with “The LORD himself has said so.”

Translation examples for this verse are:

• Then the LORD’s power will be demonstrated
and everyone will see it at the same time.
For the LORD himself has said so.”

• Then Yahweh’s majesty will be visible;
everyone will see it.
Yahweh has promised this.”

Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Sterk, Jan. A Handbook on Isaiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .