Isaiah 2 11

Isaiah 2:11 kjv

The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.

Isaiah 2:11 nkjv

The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, The haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, And the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.

Isaiah 2:11 niv

The eyes of the arrogant will be humbled and human pride brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.

Isaiah 2:11 esv

The haughty looks of man shall be brought low, and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled, and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.

Isaiah 2:11 nlt

Human pride will be brought down,
and human arrogance will be humbled.
Only the LORD will be exalted
on that day of judgment.

Isaiah 2 verses

Isaiah 2 11 Meaning

Isaiah 2:11 prophesies the abasement of human pride and the sole exaltation of the Lord on the Day of the Lord. It declares a reversal of present conditions where humanity exalts itself; in God's time, all human loftiness will be humbled, signifying divine judgment upon self-reliance and arrogance, establishing God's unrivaled supremacy.

Isaiah 2 11 Context

Isaiah 2:11 stands within a prophetic vision that begins with a glorious portrayal of God's ultimate reign (Isa 2:1-5) and then abruptly shifts to an indictment of Judah's sins and a warning of coming judgment (Isa 2:6-22). The preceding verses (Isa 2:6-10) detail Judah's reliance on foreign alliances, idols, and material wealth, rather than trusting in the Lord. The specific references to accumulated silver and gold, horses, chariots, and idols highlight the objects of their pride and security. Therefore, verse 11 serves as a direct divine response and judgment: since Judah has exalted themselves and their creations, God will humble them. The "Day of the Lord" (referenced explicitly in the immediate subsequent verse, 2:12, but implicitly from v.11's tone) is a key prophetic concept, signifying a specific time of divine intervention, judgment on the wicked, and ultimate vindication or deliverance for God's people. This passage is a polemic against the prevalent ancient Near Eastern humanistic tendencies, including the worship of man-made idols and a reliance on human power and material wealth, challenging the notions that national strength and prosperity arise from self-sufficiency or false gods.

Isaiah 2 11 Word analysis

• The lofty looks (וְשָׁפַל מְרוֹם, wěshāfal měrôm):
  • shafal (שָׁפַל): "to be low," "to be humble," "to be abased." It denotes a state of being brought down from a high position, implying reduction in stature or dignity.
  • měrôm (מְרוֹם): "height," "highness," "haughtiness," "loftiness." Refers to that which is elevated, literally or figuratively, often indicating pride or arrogance. Here, it signifies the elevated and arrogant gaze or demeanor of humanity.
• of man shall be bowed down (אֲדָם יִשָּׁח וְשָׁפֵל, ’āḏām yiššāḥ wĕšāfēl):
  • ’āḏām (אֲדָם): "man," "mankind," "humanity." Represents collective human beings, encompassing all of Israel and potentially all of proud humanity.
  • yiššāḥ (יִשָּׁח): "shall be bowed down," "shall be brought low." This is another strong verb of humbling, indicating prostration or humiliation. The repetition of verbs of abasement (shafal, shachach) underscores the totality of human humbling.
  • wĕshāfēl (וְשָׁפֵל): and shall be humbled. An infinitive absolute used to emphasize the verb, highlighting the certainty and completeness of the humbling action.
• and the haughtiness (וּגְבֻהוּת, uḡḇuhuwt):
  • ḡḇuhuwt (גְּבֻהוּת): "haughtiness," "loftiness," "pride." It's derived from a root meaning "to be high." This word directly names the inner attitude of self-importance and arrogance that drives the "lofty looks."
• of men shall be made low (אֲנָשִׁים יֵשְׁפַל, ’ănāšîm yêšfāl):
  • ’ănāšîm (אֲנָשִׁים): "men," "individuals." Similar to ’āḏām, referring to humanity, often with an emphasis on individual persons or specific instances. Its use alongside ’āḏām reinforces the universal nature of this judgment across all humanity, from the collective to the individual.
  • yêšfāl (יֵשְׁפַל): "shall be made low," "shall be humbled." Yet another form of the root shafal, emphasizing the certainty and passive experience of being brought low. The repetitive phrase structure ("lofty looks...bowed down," "haughtiness...made low") creates a strong poetic parallelism (synthetic/emphatic) reinforcing the central message of comprehensive divine humbling.
• and the LORD alone (וְנִשְׂגַּב יְהוָה לְבַדּוֹ, wĕniśḡab Yahweh lěḇadô):
  • wĕniśḡab (וְנִשְׂגַּב): "and shall be exalted," "shall be high and lifted up." This verb signifies being set high above, inaccessible, or glorious. It directly contrasts with the verbs of abasement used for humanity, highlighting God's ascendance as humanity is brought low.
  • Yahweh (יְהוָה): The sacred personal name of God, indicating His covenant faithfulness and sovereign being.
  • lěḇadô (לְבַדּוֹ): "alone," "by himself," "only." This crucial adverb emphasizes God's unique and solitary exaltation. It's a statement of His exclusive claim to glory and sovereignty, dismantling any rival claims of man or idol.
• shall be exalted in that day (בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא, bayyôm hahû’):
  • bayyôm hahû’ (בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא): "in that day," a prophetic designation referring to the "Day of the Lord." It points to a specific, decisive future moment of divine intervention, judgment, and the ultimate establishment of God's justice and sovereignty. This phrase serves as a temporal anchor for the prophecy, giving it a definitive eschatological dimension.

Isaiah 2 11 Bonus section

The emphatic double mention of human pride (וְשָׁפַל מְרוֹם אָדָם יִשָּׁח וְשָׁפֵל וּגְבֻהוּת אֲנָשִׁים יֵשְׁפַל – literally, "and brought low the height of man shall be brought low and the haughtiness of men shall be made low") creates a powerful literary device known as chiasm or parallelism, reinforcing the completeness and certainty of God's humbling work. This verse marks a pivotal shift from the indictment of Judah's specific sins to the universal principle of divine judgment against all human pride, setting the stage for the cosmic scope of the "Day of the Lord" detailed in subsequent verses (2:12-17), which enumerates various high and lofty things that will be humbled, culminating in the complete removal of human self-sufficiency. The repeated contrast of human height versus God's solitary exaltation establishes a central theme of Isaiah: God's ultimate victory and Israel's humbling as a necessary prelude to future glory.

Isaiah 2 11 Commentary

Isaiah 2:11 serves as the thesis statement for the subsequent detailed judgment, emphasizing the core theological truth that God will not share His glory with human pride. The repetitive and strong language for humbling ("bowed down," "made low") underscores the complete reversal of status for proud humanity, reflecting a profound humiliation that will inevitably befall those who elevate themselves. The imagery directly counters the preceding description of a materialistic, idol-worshipping, self-reliant Judah. In "that day"—the "Day of the Lord"—all the false foundations of human security and self-exaltation will crumble. This isn't merely a temporal judgment but a definitive declaration of God's intrinsic and singular sovereignty. The contrast is stark: as human arrogance collapses, the Lord's glory will shine unimpeded. The phrase "the Lord alone shall be exalted" is the ultimate outcome and purpose of the humbling of man, confirming His unique deity. This verse provides a foundational principle applicable through all ages: any form of self-exaltation, be it through wealth, wisdom, strength, or position, stands in direct opposition to God's glory and is destined for abasement. It teaches us the necessity of humility and true worship, recognizing God's supreme authority in all things.