Isaiah Chapter 26 · Verse 5
For he bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city, he layeth it low; he layeth it low, even to the ground; he bringeth it even to the dust.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 13
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הֵשַׁח֙
For he bringeth down
H7817
הֵשַׁח֙
For he bringeth down
Strong's:
H7817
Word #:
2 of 13
to sink or depress (reflexive or causative)
יֹשְׁבֵ֣י
them that dwell
H3427
יֹשְׁבֵ֣י
them that dwell
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
3 of 13
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
מָר֔וֹם
on high
H4791
מָר֔וֹם
on high
Strong's:
H4791
Word #:
4 of 13
altitude, i.e., concretely (an elevated place), abstractly (elevation, figuratively (elation), or adverbially (aloft)
נִשְׂגָּבָ֑ה
the lofty
H7682
נִשְׂגָּבָ֑ה
the lofty
Strong's:
H7682
Word #:
6 of 13
to be (causatively, make) lofty, especially inaccessible; by implication, safe, strong; used literally and figuratively
יַשְׁפִּילָהּ֙
he layeth it low
H8213
יַשְׁפִּילָהּ֙
he layeth it low
Strong's:
H8213
Word #:
7 of 13
to depress or sink (especially figuratively, to humiliate, intransitive or transitive)
יַשְׁפִּילָהּ֙
he layeth it low
H8213
יַשְׁפִּילָהּ֙
he layeth it low
Strong's:
H8213
Word #:
8 of 13
to depress or sink (especially figuratively, to humiliate, intransitive or transitive)
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
9 of 13
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
אֶ֔רֶץ
even to the ground
H776
אֶ֔רֶץ
even to the ground
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
10 of 13
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
יַגִּיעֶ֖נָּה
he bringeth
H5060
יַגִּיעֶ֖נָּה
he bringeth
Strong's:
H5060
Word #:
11 of 13
properly, to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive
Cross References
Revelation 18:2And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.Jeremiah 51:37And Babylon shall become heaps, a dwellingplace for dragons, an astonishment, and an hissing, without an inhabitant.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.Jeremiah 51:64And thou shalt say, Thus shall Babylon sink, and shall not rise from the evil that I will bring upon her: and they shall be weary. Thus far are the words of Jeremiah.
Historical Context
Isaiah witnessed Assyria's systematic destruction of fortified cities throughout the ancient Near East. Cities like Samaria (722 BCE) and Lachish (701 BCE) fell to Assyrian siege engines despite strong fortifications. Yet Isaiah prophesied that Assyria itself—the 'lofty city' of proud human power—would fall. This was fulfilled when God destroyed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers besieging Jerusalem (Isaiah 37:36). Later, Babylon—another 'lofty city'—fell to Persia (539 BCE). The pattern continues through history: every proud empire eventually crumbles. Only God's city stands forever.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'lofty cities' (powers, institutions, ideologies) in our culture seem invincible but are destined for God's humbling?
- How does this promise of God bringing down the proud shape your response to seemingly overwhelming opposition?
- Where might pride be building 'lofty cities' in your own heart that need to be brought low?
Analysis & Commentary
"For he bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city, he layeth it low; he layeth it low, even to the ground; he bringeth it even to the dust." This verse explains why God is trustworthy (note the causal "for")—He brings down every competing power. The repetitive structure hammers home God's sovereign reversal of human pride. "He bringeth down them that dwell on high" (כִּי הֵשַׁח יֹשְׁבֵי מָרוֹם/ki heshach yoshvei marom)—heshach means to bow down, bring low, humble. Yoshvei marom (dwellers on high) refers both to literal elevated cities built for defense and to proud people exalting themselves.
"The lofty city, he layeth it low" (קִרְיָה נִשְׂגָּבָה יַשְׁפִּילֶנָּה/qiryah nisgabah yashpilennah)—nisgabah means exalted, lofty, inaccessible, set on high. Yashpilennah means to bring low, humble, abase. The threefold repetition that follows—"he layeth it low, even to the ground; he bringeth it even to the dust"—uses Hebrew poetic intensification. Each phrase descends further: high → low → ground → dust, dramatizing total and complete humiliation. What human pride elevates to the heavens, God brings down to dust. This echoes Mary's Magnificat: "He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree" (Luke 1:52).