Isaiah 25 11

Isaiah 25:11 kjv

And he shall spread forth his hands in the midst of them, as he that swimmeth spreadeth forth his hands to swim: and he shall bring down their pride together with the spoils of their hands.

Isaiah 25:11 nkjv

And He will spread out His hands in their midst As a swimmer reaches out to swim, And He will bring down their pride Together with the trickery of their hands.

Isaiah 25:11 niv

They will stretch out their hands in it, as swimmers stretch out their hands to swim. God will bring down their pride despite the cleverness of their hands.

Isaiah 25:11 esv

And he will spread out his hands in the midst of it as a swimmer spreads his hands out to swim, but the LORD will lay low his pompous pride together with the skill of his hands.

Isaiah 25:11 nlt

God will push down Moab's people
as a swimmer pushes down water with his hands.
He will end their pride
and all their evil works.

Isaiah 25 verses

Isaiah 25 11 meaning

Isaiah 25:11 depicts a vivid image of a defeated and humbled Moab. The first part of the verse portrays Moab desperately struggling in a degrading state, akin to a swimmer frantically flailing its hands not in water to save itself, but in its own filth and humiliation (as referenced from the previous verse, Isaiah 25:10). This symbolizes a futile, undignified effort to escape judgment. The latter part reveals the ultimate cause and outcome: the Lord Himself intervenes to utterly bring down Moab's inherent pride and dismantle all its self-reliant achievements, schemes, and strengths, demonstrating divine sovereignty over human arrogance.

Isaiah 25 11 Context

Isaiah 25 is part of a larger section known as Isaiah's "Little Apocalypse" (chapters 24-27), which culminates in a vision of God's universal reign and the restoration of His people. Chapter 25 is a hymn of praise and triumph, celebrating God's destruction of evil and death, and His preparation of a glorious feast for all peoples on Mount Zion. Verses 10-12 specifically focus on the humiliation and complete destruction of Moab, which had previously been subject to prophecy in Isaiah 15-16. Moab represents a proud, arrogant nation that consistently opposed Israel and implicitly defied God. Thus, verse 11 stands as a stark contrast to the hope and blessing promised to God's people, illustrating the fate of those who resist His sovereignty. It describes the comprehensive abasement of a nation whose identity was steeped in self-sufficiency and boastfulness, clearing the way for God's ultimate reign.

Isaiah 25 11 Word analysis

• And he shall spread forth: The initial "he" (וּפָרַשׂ - u-farash) refers to Moab. The Hebrew root parash often indicates an expansive movement, like spreading wings or hands. Here, it denotes an intense effort or struggle.
• his hands: A gesture indicative of desperate physical exertion, or sometimes supplication. In this context, it is a struggle for self-preservation, but ultimately in vain.
• in the midst of them: The Hebrew is בְּקִרְבּוֹ (b'qirbo), meaning "in its midst" or "within itself." This is most commonly understood to refer to the degrading "dungheap" or "refuse" mentioned in the preceding verse (Isa 25:10), emphasizing that Moab struggles in the very mire of its humiliation. It highlights the degrading environment of its desperate effort.
• as he that swimmeth spreadeth forth his hands to swim: (כַּאֲשֶׁר יְשַׂחֶה הַשּׂחֶה - ka'asher yeshacheh hasocheh) This vivid simile pictures frantic, strenuous exertion. A swimmer uses hands for propulsion and staying afloat. Here, it conveys an image of desperate flailing, trying to survive, but strikingly, not in sustaining water, but in a putrid, sinking situation. It speaks of energy expended without hope of success.
• and he shall bring down: This "he" (וְהִשְׁפִּיל - vehishpil) distinctly shifts the agent. Now, it is the Lord (implied from the overall context of chapter 25). The verb hishpil means to humble, abase, or bring low, directly counteracting pride.
• their pride: (גַּאֲוָתוֹ - ga'avato) This is Moab's hallmark sin. The word signifies arrogance, haughtiness, and boasting, stemming from a belief in one's own power or security. It is precisely this spirit that God pledges to destroy.
• together with the spoils of their hands: The Hebrew phrase is עִם־אַרְבּוֹת יָדָיו (im arbot yadaw). Arbot is complex; while KJV translates it as "spoils" (which might refer to possessions gained), many modern scholarly interpretations favor "cunning," "schemes," "devisings," or "graspings." It implies the deceptive plans or self-made strengths/achievements born out of Moab's pride, suggesting God will nullify not only their arrogant spirit but also all the results of their self-reliant ingenuity and efforts.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And he shall spread forth his hands in the midst of them, as he that swimmeth spreadeth forth his hands to swim": This phrase paints a complete picture of pathetic, futile struggle. Moab's attempt to save itself is reduced to a frantic, degrading, and ultimately powerless flailing within its own downfall, lacking any real power or dignity, intensely highlighting desperation and impending doom.
• "and he shall bring down their pride together with the spoils of their hands": This concluding phrase contrasts sharply by introducing God as the definitive agent. It underscores that God's judgment is comprehensive, targeting both the source (Moab's pride) and the outcome (its self-engineered achievements or perceived strengths). God directly addresses the heart of Moab's defiance, bringing absolute demolition to its self-exaltation.

Isaiah 25 11 Bonus section

The depiction of "swimming" in something abhorrent and degrading rather than life-sustaining water is a powerful piece of prophetic irony, heightening the humiliation and emphasizing the complete futility of Moab's resistance. It's not just a defeat, but a deep public shaming that underscores the self-destructive nature of pride. This specific imagery is so visceral that it almost transcends mere description, immersing the reader directly into Moab's abject despair and failure. The term אַרְבּוֹת (arbot) being translated as "cunning" or "schemes" rather than "spoils" also refines the theological implication, shifting focus from material gain to the intellectual and moral rebellion of pride that underpins such achievements, making God's judgment even more penetrating. The ultimate victory depicted here aligns with God's long-term plan to remove all obstacles to His full and righteous rule.

Isaiah 25 11 Commentary

Isaiah 25:11 presents a striking image of the Lord's definitive judgment against human pride, exemplified by Moab. The verse bifurcates into two distinct, powerful portrayals. First, we witness the utterly undignified and desperate struggle of Moab. The simile of a swimmer, usually associated with an attempt to survive in water, is subverted here as Moab "spreads its hands" in its own refuse, illustrating a frantic but futile struggle within a state of absolute degradation and uncleanness. It is not an escape, but a desperate and ineffectual flailing in one's inescapable downfall. Second, the verse transitions to affirm the ultimate divine action: God, not Moab's enemies, will "bring down their pride." This reveals that the underlying sin of Moab – arrogance and self-sufficiency (implied in the "spoils/cunning of their hands") – is the specific target of God's wrath. Every boast, every cunning scheme, every achievement derived from its defiant self-reliance, will be utterly demolished by God's sovereign power. This divine act of humbling prepares the way for the Lord's righteous reign and the universal feast announced in the earlier parts of chapter 25, underscoring that no earthly power or pride can withstand the judgment of the Almighty.