Isaiah 2:17
And 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.
Original Language Analysis
וְשַׁח֙
shall be bowed down
H7817
וְשַׁח֙
shall be bowed down
Strong's:
H7817
Word #:
1 of 11
to sink or depress (reflexive or causative)
הָאָדָ֔ם
of man
H120
הָאָדָ֔ם
of man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
3 of 11
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
וְשָׁפֵ֖ל
shall be made low
H8213
וְשָׁפֵ֖ל
shall be made low
Strong's:
H8213
Word #:
4 of 11
to depress or sink (especially figuratively, to humiliate, intransitive or transitive)
ר֣וּם
and the haughtiness
H7312
ר֣וּם
and the haughtiness
Strong's:
H7312
Word #:
5 of 11
(literally) elevation or (figuratively) elation
אֲנָשִׁ֑ים
H376
אֲנָשִׁ֑ים
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
6 of 11
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 #:
7 of 11
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 #:
8 of 11
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לְבַדּ֖וֹ
H905
לְבַדּ֖וֹ
Strong's:
H905
Word #:
9 of 11
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
Isaiah 2:11The 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.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.
Historical Context
In polytheistic contexts where multiple deities vied for supremacy, Isaiah's monotheism and God's exclusive exaltation was radical. This theological exclusivity formed Israel's covenant distinctiveness.
Questions for Reflection
- What competes with God for exaltation in our hearts and culture?
- How does anticipation of God's exclusive future exaltation inform present worship and devotion?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
This verse summarizes verses 13-16: human pride ('loftiness of man') will be humbled, and God alone exalted. The exclusivity—'the LORD alone shall be exalted'—reflects the fundamental theological reality that divine glory tolerates no rival (Isaiah 42:8). This anticipates the eschatological vindication when every knee bows and tongue confesses Christ's lordship (Philippians 2:10-11). Reformed theology's emphasis on soli Deo gloria finds its ultimate fulfillment in this vision of God's exclusive exaltation.