Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

This expression appears in Isaiah 52:7. (The full verse is: "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, 'Your God reigns!'")

The feet of the messenger in this verse were beautiful because they were being used as a metaphor for the good news that the messenger was using those feet to bring to those for whom the message was intended. In this case, the message was from God to the people of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, indicating that God was going to deliver them from their captivity in Babylon in the sixth century BC, which had occurred as a judgment from God against their sin.

In the New Testament, Paul cited this same wording as a prophecy of the good news of redemption that the messengers who were sent to spread the gospel were bringing to the people to whom they preached (Romans 10:15).

April 07 2016 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What is meant by the phrase "how beautiful are the feet"?

Meaning of the Phrase in Scripture

In Isaiah 52:7, the expression describes the arrival of a herald who brings God's message of peace, deliverance, and restored rule. The "feet" symbolise the approach of the messenger, and their "beauty" reflects the value of the announcement, not the appearance of the messenger.

The verse declares:

"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news…" (Isaiah 52:7)

The emphasis is on the proclamation's content: God acts on behalf of His people, ending their distress and revealing His kingship.

Paul cites this passage to show the necessity of proclaiming the gospel:

"How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news."
(Romans 10:15)

He connects Isaiah's imagery with the Christian mission. Those who announce Christ's salvation carry a message that brings reconciliation with God, so their coming is considered "beautiful" because it brings life‑giving truth.

Scriptural Significance of "Beautiful Feet"

It marks the arrival of a divine message.

It signals God's intervention and restoration.

It represents the movement of a servant sent by God.

It highlights the worth of the gospel and the need to proclaim it.

The phrase is a figure of speech that honours the one who carries God's word, because the message itself brings peace, redemption, and the revelation of God's reign.

Summary

The biblical expression "how beautiful are the feet" praises the bearer of God's saving announcement. In Isaiah, it celebrates the messenger who brings news of God's deliverance to Zion. In Romans, Paul applies the same imagery to those who proclaim Christ. The feet are called "beautiful" because they signify the arrival of God's peace, God's salvation, and God's rule.

11 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Leslie Coutinho Supporter

Nahum 1:15: Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off.

Lord Jesus, being born of the Spirit of the Lord God, who was upon the mountains with His feet standing, was anointed to preach good tidings unto the meek. He was sent to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and to open the prison to them that were and are bound today. (Isa 52:7/61:1) Lord Jesus, when He returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee, His feet stood with good tidings; He taught in the synagogues by reading the book of the prophet E-sa’-ias. (Lk 4:14-17) The Publishing of Peace given to Him by the God the Father, having the Spirit of God upon Him, being anointed to preach the Gospel to the poor, was to heal the brokenhearted, preach deliverance to the captives, recover the sight of the blind, and set at liberty who were and are bruised today. (Lk 4:18) Lord Jesus then came to Ca-per’-na-um, on the sabbath day, to the synagogue, and they were astonished with His doctrine having the power of God. (Lk 4:31-32) Lord Jesus, who performed the vows sent by God the Father, there were many sick with diverse diseases, and He laid His hands on them and healed them. These were the wicked devils who then cried out and came out of many and were utterly cut off, for they knew that He was Christ the Son of God. (Lk 4:35,38-41)

Today one needs to be aware of being led in the right spirit through your humbleness, for you shall then be brought up to the mountains with good tidings, being revealed by the Word of God. 

Jeremiah 32:39: And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them. Ezekiel 11:20: That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.

3 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report