Isaiah 2 12

Isaiah 2:12 kjv

For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low:

Isaiah 2:12 nkjv

For the day of the LORD of hosts Shall come upon everything proud and lofty, Upon everything lifted up? And it shall be brought low?

Isaiah 2:12 niv

The LORD Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty, for all that is exalted (and they will be humbled),

Isaiah 2:12 esv

For the LORD of hosts has a day against all that is proud and lofty, against all that is lifted up ? and it shall be brought low;

Isaiah 2:12 nlt

For the LORD of Heaven's Armies
has a day of reckoning.
He will punish the proud and mighty
and bring down everything that is exalted.

Isaiah 2 verses

Isaiah 2 12 Meaning

Isaiah 2:12 declares a profound truth about the coming "Day of the LORD of hosts," prophesying a divine judgment upon all forms of human pride, loftiness, and self-exaltation. This day will expose and abase everything that is highly esteemed by humanity, bringing it low before God's ultimate sovereignty. It is a pronouncement that no earthly power, wealth, status, or self-importance can withstand the supreme authority of God.

Isaiah 2 12 Context

Isaiah chapter 2 begins with a glorious prophecy of God's future reign from Jerusalem, where all nations will stream to learn His ways, leading to universal peace. However, verse 6 marks a sharp pivot to the present reality of Judah and Jerusalem's deep-seated spiritual corruption. The immediate verses (2:7-11) detail their idolatry, reliance on military strength, accumulated wealth, and widespread arrogance. Verse 12 serves as the divine response and inevitable consequence of such prideful defiance: the coming "Day of the LORD." This day is presented as a fearsome, inescapable time of judgment specifically targeting all human works, attitudes, and institutions that stand in arrogant opposition to God. It highlights the stark contrast between God's ultimate exaltation and the destined abasement of human self-sufficiency and grandeur.

Isaiah 2 12 Word analysis

• For (כִּי - kî): A strong causal or explanatory conjunction, introducing the reason or basis for the preceding declarations of God's judgment and the impending humbling of humanity. It connects the rampant sin, especially idolatry and pride described in 2:6-11, with the certainty of the "Day of the LORD."
• the day (יוֹם - yōm): Refers to a specific, significant period or event, not merely a 24-hour day. In prophetic literature, "the day of" denotes a divinely appointed time of reckoning and judgment, particularly connected to God's intervention in history.
• of the LORD (יְהוָה - Yahweh): Refers to the covenant God of Israel, the self-existent and eternal God. This specifies the author and agent of the judgment; it is His initiative, power, and righteous standard that will be imposed.
• of hosts (צְבָאוֹת - tsᵉvā’ōt): Often translated "Almighty" or "of Armies/Heavenly Hosts." This title emphasizes God's supreme power, authority, and control over all created forces – celestial armies, human armies, and natural elements. It underscores His omnipotence as the commander of all reality, making resistance futile. The use of "hosts" also carries a polemical punch against the reliance on human military might (2:7) and pagan gods associated with celestial bodies.
• shall be upon (עַל - ‘al): Signifies that the "day" will come down upon or rest heavily upon, indicating an oppressive and unavoidable impact. It suggests a direct and personal encounter with divine judgment.
• every one (כָּל - kol): A sweeping, inclusive term, meaning "all" or "every single." This highlights the universality of the judgment; no person or thing that meets the subsequent criteria will escape. It rejects any notion of exceptions for the powerful or privileged.
• that is proud (גֵּאֶה - ga'eh): From the root meaning "to rise up, be lofty." This word describes an individual characterized by arrogance, haughtiness, and excessive self-esteem. It implies an elevation of self in defiance or disregard of God's sovereignty. It's not just a passing feeling, but a deep-seated characteristic.
• and lofty (רָם - ram): Similar to ga'eh, meaning "high, exalted, lifted up." It can refer to physical height but here denotes elevated status, arrogance, or pride. This word choice reinforces the concept of anything highly regarded or set up as important apart from God.
• and upon every one that is lifted up (וְעַל כָּל־נָשׂוּא - wᵉ‘al kol-nāśu’): A powerful restatement for emphasis, reinforcing the universal scope of judgment on pride.
  • lifted up (נָשׂוּא - nāśu’): This verb (nifal participle of nasa) means "to be lifted, carried, exalted." In this context, it takes on a negative connotation, referring to those who are exalted in their own eyes or by human systems, often leading to arrogance. It covers human institutions, achievements, and self-appointed importance.
• and he shall be brought low (וְשָׁפֵל - wᵉshāfēl): From the root meaning "to be low, humbled, abased." This is the ultimate outcome for all who are proud and exalted in God's eyes. It signifies a reduction in status, power, and honor, demonstrating the futility of human ambition apart from divine will.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "For the day of the LORD of hosts": This is a foundational prophetic phrase, denoting a climactic moment in salvation history when God decisively intervenes, manifesting His righteous judgment and establishing His dominion. The title "LORD of hosts" powerfully signifies God's absolute sovereignty over all cosmic and earthly powers, setting Him in stark contrast to human self-reliance and the futility of idols (polemic against pagan deities and trust in human constructs).
• "shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up": The threefold repetition and synonymous phrasing emphasize the total inclusiveness and specific target of the divine judgment – anything and anyone characterized by self-exaltation. This broad sweep covers not only individuals but potentially nations, institutions, and objects of pride and false worship that defy God. The repetition underlines the pervasive nature of pride and the comprehensive nature of the judgment.
• "and he shall be brought low": This concise, final phrase is the direct and inevitable consequence. It illustrates the reversal of fortunes: those who elevate themselves will be forcibly humbled. It affirms God's power to abase human greatness and demonstrates that true exaltation comes only from Him (Psa 75:6-7, 1 Sam 2:7). This also contains a polemic against the notion that human achievements or elevated status can endure without divine favor.

Isaiah 2 12 Bonus section

The emphasis on "every one" implies not only individuals but also the very foundations upon which human pride is built. This includes human institutions, economic power, technological achievements, and even philosophical or theological systems that center on human ability rather than divine authority. The Day of the LORD dismantles any human-created idols that draw people away from their true worship of Yahweh, revealing their hollowness and futility. It serves as a stern warning against spiritual idolatry, where self becomes god. This prophetic truth resonates throughout the Bible, consistently declaring that God resists the proud and elevates the humble.

Isaiah 2 12 Commentary

Isaiah 2:12 articulates a central theme of prophetic theology: the inevitability of divine judgment against human pride. The "Day of the LORD" is not merely a distant future event, but an impending reality, charged with the sovereign power of "the LORD of hosts." This day represents the final reckoning when God's holiness and supremacy will be vindicated over all forms of human self-exaltation. It specifically targets everything and everyone characterized by arrogance, haughtiness, and any aspiration to autonomy or significance apart from God. This includes individuals whose hearts are filled with pride, but also broader societal expressions like nationalistic fervor, excessive wealth (Isa 2:7), military might (Isa 2:7), and the false worship of human-made idols or accomplishments (Isa 2:8). The repetition of terms like "proud," "lofty," and "lifted up" underscores the comprehensiveness of this judgment, indicating that no aspect of human pride or self-aggrandizement will escape divine scrutiny. The ultimate outcome is certain: "he shall be brought low." This profound humbling reveals the true disparity between the Creator and His creation, asserting God's ultimate dominion and demonstrating that genuine strength and stability reside only in Him. This truth compels believers towards humility and dependence on God.