Isaiah 2:12

Authorized King James Version

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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:

Original Language Analysis

כִּ֣י H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 1 of 12
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
י֞וֹם For the day H3117
י֞וֹם For the day
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 2 of 12
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
לַיהוָ֧ה of the LORD H3068
לַיהוָ֧ה of the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 3 of 12
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָא֛וֹת of hosts H6635
צְבָא֛וֹת of hosts
Strong's: H6635
Word #: 4 of 12
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
עַ֥ל H5921
עַ֥ל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 5 of 12
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 6 of 12
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
גֵּאֶ֖ה shall be upon every one that is proud H1343
גֵּאֶ֖ה shall be upon every one that is proud
Strong's: H1343
Word #: 7 of 12
lofty; figuratively, arrogant
וָרָ֑ם and lofty H7311
וָרָ֑ם and lofty
Strong's: H7311
Word #: 8 of 12
to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
וְעַ֖ל H5921
וְעַ֖ל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 9 of 12
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 10 of 12
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
נִשָּׂ֥א and upon every one that is lifted up H5375
נִשָּׂ֥א and upon every one that is lifted up
Strong's: H5375
Word #: 11 of 12
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
וְשָׁפֵֽל׃ and he shall be brought low H8213
וְשָׁפֵֽל׃ and he shall be brought low
Strong's: H8213
Word #: 12 of 12
to depress or sink (especially figuratively, to humiliate, intransitive or transitive)

Analysis & Commentary

The phrase 'day of the LORD of hosts' describes the climactic intervention when God directly judges proud humanity. Four characteristics of proud humans will be targeted: pride, loftiness, haughtiness, and being lifted up. This comprehensive catalog emphasizes that every form of human exaltation opposes God's glory and will be judged. The Hebrew repetition intensifies the certainty of this humbling.

Historical Context

Ancient Near Eastern cultures valued honor and status. Isaiah's prophecy that all human glory would be stripped away challenged fundamental cultural values, declaring God's glory supreme over human achievement.

Questions for Reflection

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