Isaiah 25:11
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.
Original Language Analysis
יָדָֽיו׃
his hands
H3027
יָדָֽיו׃
his hands
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
2 of 12
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
בְּקִרְבּ֔וֹ
in the midst
H7130
בְּקִרְבּ֔וֹ
in the midst
Strong's:
H7130
Word #:
3 of 12
properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)
כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר
H834
כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 12
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
וְהִשְׁפִּיל֙
and he shall bring down
H8213
וְהִשְׁפִּיל֙
and he shall bring down
Strong's:
H8213
Word #:
8 of 12
to depress or sink (especially figuratively, to humiliate, intransitive or transitive)
גַּֽאֲוָת֔וֹ
their pride
H1346
גַּֽאֲוָת֔וֹ
their pride
Strong's:
H1346
Word #:
9 of 12
arrogance or majesty; by implication, (concretely) ornament
עִ֖ם
H5973
עִ֖ם
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
10 of 12
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
Cross References
Isaiah 16:6We have heard of the pride of Moab; he is very proud: even of his haughtiness, and his pride, and his wrath: but his lies shall not be so.Isaiah 16:14But now the LORD hath spoken, saying, Within three years, as the years of an hireling, and the glory of Moab shall be contemned, with all that great multitude; and the remnant shall be very small and feeble.Isaiah 5:25Therefore is the anger of the LORD kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them: and the hills did tremble, and their carcases were torn in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.Isaiah 14:26This is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth: and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations.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 65:2I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts;Colossians 2:15And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.Jeremiah 48:42And Moab shall be destroyed from being a people, because he hath magnified himself against the LORD.Jeremiah 51:44And I will punish Bel in Babylon, and I will bring forth out of his mouth that which he hath swallowed up: and the nations shall not flow together any more unto him: yea, the wall of Babylon shall fall.James 4:6But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Historical Context
Moab's pride was proverbial in ancient times. Despite being a small nation, they consistently overestimated their strength and importance. Their archaeological remains show cultural confidence and religious devotion to Chemosh, their god. This national pride led to hubris in dealings with larger powers (Babylon, Assyria) and arrogant treatment of Israel. Pride precedes fall (Proverbs 16:18).
Questions for Reflection
- How does pride cause people to 'thrash' in ways that worsen their situation rather than improve it?
- What is the relationship between human pride and the futility of self-salvation attempts?
- How does this verse illustrate that the same actions (spreading hands) mean rescue when God does them but destruction when humans do them in pride?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
He shall spread forth his hands in the midst of them, as he that swimmeth spreadeth forth his hands to swim—The subject 'he' is ambiguous: either Moab desperately flailing to escape judgment, or God actively executing judgment. The Hebrew verb paras (spread out, stretch) describes a swimmer's arm motions. The image: futile thrashing in an overwhelming flood. And he shall bring down their pride together with the spoils of their hands—God (clearly the subject here) brings down Moab's ga'avah (pride, arrogance) along with arboth (craftiness, schemes, spoils). The Hebrew arboth suggests cunning schemes—perhaps Moab's political machinations.
This verse emphasizes pride as the root sin leading to judgment. Moab's pride (mentioned in 16:6, 'We have heard of the pride of Moab; he is very proud') becomes his undoing. The swimming metaphor is ironic: normally swimmers spread hands to stay afloat, but here the motion hastens sinking. Every attempt to save himself drives him deeper. This mirrors what happens when proud people face God's judgment—their very efforts to justify, excuse, or escape compound their guilt. Only humble submission brings grace; pride ensures destruction. James echoes this: 'God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble' (James 4:6).