Isaiah 2:11
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.
Original Language Analysis
עֵינֵ֞י
looks
H5869
עֵינֵ֞י
looks
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
1 of 12
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
אָדָם֙
of man
H120
אָדָם֙
of man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
3 of 12
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
שָׁפֵ֔ל
shall be humbled
H8213
שָׁפֵ֔ל
shall be humbled
Strong's:
H8213
Word #:
4 of 12
to depress or sink (especially figuratively, to humiliate, intransitive or transitive)
וְשַׁ֖ח
shall be bowed down
H7817
וְשַׁ֖ח
shall be bowed down
Strong's:
H7817
Word #:
5 of 12
to sink or depress (reflexive or causative)
ר֣וּם
and the haughtiness
H7312
ר֣וּם
and the haughtiness
Strong's:
H7312
Word #:
6 of 12
(literally) elevation or (figuratively) elation
אֲנָשִׁ֑ים
H376
אֲנָשִׁ֑ים
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
7 of 12
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
וְנִשְׂגַּ֧ב
alone shall be exalted
H7682
וְנִשְׂגַּ֧ב
alone shall be exalted
Strong's:
H7682
Word #:
8 of 12
to be (causatively, make) lofty, especially inaccessible; by implication, safe, strong; used literally and figuratively
יְהוָ֛ה
and the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֛ה
and the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
9 of 12
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לְבַדּ֖וֹ
H905
לְבַדּ֖וֹ
Strong's:
H905
Word #:
10 of 12
properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit
Cross References
Psalms 18:27For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks.Isaiah 2:17And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.Isaiah 12:4And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.Isaiah 24:21And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth.Isaiah 13:11And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.Malachi 4:1For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.Micah 4:6In that day, saith the LORD, will I assemble her that halteth, and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted;Ezekiel 39:22So the house of Israel shall know that I am the LORD their God from that day and forward.Hosea 2:18And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven, and with the creeping things of the ground: and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely.
Historical Context
In an age of imperial pride (Assyria, Egypt), Isaiah declares all human glory temporary. Only the LORD remains exalted when earthly powers crumble, a lesson Israel needed while trusting political alliances.
Questions for Reflection
- What forms of pride need to be brought low in your life?
- How does God's exclusive right to glory affect your ambitions and self-promotion?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The Day of the LORD inverts human pride—lofty looks brought low, haughtiness humbled. The exclusive exaltation of Yahweh establishes monotheism's practical outcome: when God is rightly honored, human pretension is exposed. This anticipates Philippians 2:9-11 where every knee bows to Christ. The passive voice ('shall be brought down') indicates divine action, not self-humiliation.