Isaiah 2 9

Isaiah 2:9 kjv

And the mean man boweth down, and the great man humbleth himself: therefore forgive them not.

Isaiah 2:9 nkjv

People bow down, And each man humbles himself; Therefore do not forgive them.

Isaiah 2:9 niv

So people will be brought low and everyone humbled? do not forgive them.

Isaiah 2:9 esv

So man is humbled, and each one is brought low ? do not forgive them!

Isaiah 2:9 nlt

So now they will be humbled,
and all will be brought low ?
do not forgive them.

Isaiah 2 verses

Isaiah 2 9 Meaning

Isaiah 2:9 describes a comprehensive abasement of humanity under the weight of God's impending judgment. Both the ordinary person ("mean man") and the person of high standing ("great man") are depicted as being forcibly bowed down and humbled. This is not a voluntary act of repentance, but a compelled humiliation. The phrase "therefore forgive them not" serves as a solemn divine decree, signifying that their widespread idolatry, arrogance, and reliance on worldly constructs have accumulated to a point where immediate pardon is withheld, and inevitable divine retribution must proceed. The verse highlights God's resolve to bring low all forms of human pride and self-sufficiency, ultimately demonstrating His singular exaltation.

Isaiah 2 9 Context

Isaiah chapter 2 begins with a glorious vision of Zion as the spiritual center for all nations in the latter days, a time of peace and universal instruction under the Lord (Isa 2:1-5). This ideal future, however, is sharply contrasted with the grim present reality of Judah. From verse 6 onward, the prophet condemns the nation's profound apostasy and idolatry. Judah is portrayed as a land overrun with foreign practices, materialism, and especially "idols without number" (Isa 2:7-8), objects crafted by human hands yet worshipped as divine. This widespread idolatry, intertwined with a pervasive spirit of arrogance and self-reliance, provokes God's righteous wrath. Isaiah 2:9, following the direct indictment of idolatry in verse 8, declares the inevitable consequence: a complete and forceful humiliation of every person. It sets the stage for the dramatic revelation of "the Day of the Lord" (Isa 2:12-17), when all forms of human loftiness, pride, and false security will be utterly dismantled. Historically, during Isaiah's 8th-century BCE ministry, Judah often mirrored the surrounding pagan nations in its spiritual practices and sought alliances based on worldly strength, directly embodying the societal pride and idolatry Isaiah confronted.

Isaiah 2 9 Word analysis

• And the mean man boweth down (וַיִּשַׁח אָדָם - vayyishach adam):

  • Adam (אָדָם): This term typically refers to humankind generally, often implying the common or ordinary person, emphasizing that the judgment applies universally to all humanity.
  • Vayyishach (וַיִּשַׁח): From the root shuach (שׁוּח), meaning "to bow down" or "to stoop." Critically, this action denotes not voluntary worship or humble repentance but a compelled state of abasement and humiliation imposed by a greater power, signifying forced submission under divine judgment.

• and the great man humbleth himself (וַיִּשְׁפַּל אִישׁ - vayyishpal ish):

  • Ish (אִישׁ): This word usually denotes a specific man, often contrasting with adam to signify a man of rank, prominence, or power. Its inclusion ensures that the scope of judgment encompasses both the ordinary and the elite.
  • Vayyishpal (וַיִּשְׁפַּל): From the root shafal (שָׁפַל), meaning "to be low," "to be abased," or "to be humbled." Similar to "boweth down," this is a state divinely imposed. Together with vayyishach, it underscores the complete and unavoidable humbling of all strata of society before God.

• therefore forgive them not (וְאַל־תִּשָּׂא לָהֶם - ve'al-tissa lahem):

  • Ve'al-tissa (וְאַל־תִּשָּׂא): Derived from nasa (נָשָׂא), meaning "to lift," "to carry," or "to forgive," coupled with the negative particle 'al (אַל), meaning "do not." This is not a human instruction, but a categorical divine declaration or command. It conveys God's decision to not "lift up" (i.e., spare from consequence) or "forgive" their persistent and profound iniquity at this juncture.
  • Lahem (לָהֶם): This simply means "to them" or "for them," specifically directing the divine decree of non-forgiveness towards the unrepentant people of Judah, signifying the directness and inevitability of the impending judgment.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "And the mean man boweth down, and the great man humbleth himself": This use of merism (mentioning two extremes to imply everything in between) signifies the comprehensive and universal reach of the divine judgment. No social class, power, or status will exempt anyone from the coming abasement. It vividly portrays a society utterly overwhelmed and stripped of its former pride, emphasizing the futility of human self-exaltation. This humbling is forced, not chosen, highlighting the severity of their unrepentant sin and God's sovereign hand in judgment.
  • "therefore forgive them not": This declaration acts as a profound divine pronouncement. It is not an abandonment of God’s nature of mercy, but a definitive statement that for the time being, given the depth and pervasiveness of their sin—especially their entrenched idolatry—mercy will be suspended to allow justice to take its course. It emphasizes that their persistent rebellion has crossed a line, necessitating a period of judgment rather than immediate pardon. This phrase underscores God’s holiness and intolerance for spiritual rebellion that defies His glory and commands allegiance to worthless idols.

Isaiah 2 9 Bonus section

• The parallel structure of "mean man" and "great man" using two different Hebrew terms for "man" (adam and ish) reinforces the total scope of the judgment—encompassing all levels and conditions of human society, indicating that no one is exempt.
• The withholding of forgiveness mentioned is not necessarily an eternal, final damnation but signifies God's decision to execute temporal judgment and allow the natural consequences of their apostasy and pride to play out, serving as a powerful lesson and a purification process.
• This verse sets the stage for the dramatic and repeated refrain of Isaiah 2: "the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be humbled, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day" (v. 11, 17), making Isaiah 2:9 a foundational statement of God's unwavering resolve to deal with human arrogance.

Isaiah 2 9 Commentary

Isaiah 2:9 acts as a solemn hinge in the prophet's message, bridging Judah's prevalent idolatry with the dire consequences of the approaching Day of the Lord. The scene portrays humanity – from the lowliest to the most exalted – undergoing a profound, compulsory humiliation. This is not the willing prostration of repentance but the forced subjugation that occurs when a nation's accumulated pride, false dependencies, and widespread idolatry exhaust divine patience. The ensuing declaration, "therefore forgive them not," underscores the critical point of their rebellion. It's a powerful divine decree indicating that for their chronic and deliberate turning away, particularly their devotion to idols (v. 8), God has determined that a period of judgment, devoid of immediate pardon, must unfold. This serves to utterly discredit human pride and false security, proving that only the Lord will be exalted. The verse reminds us that true humility is essential, and those who exalt themselves will be forcibly humbled by God’s just hand if they refuse to bend in repentance.

• Practical Usage: It compels a sober reflection on any personal or societal reliance on self, wealth, or created things over the Creator. It highlights that ultimately, everyone will acknowledge God's supremacy, either through willing submission or forced humbling through judgment.