Isaiah 26:6
The foot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
In the ancient world's rigid class systems, the poor and needy had no voice, no power, no rights. They were trampled by the powerful. Isaiah consistently championed God's concern for the poor, condemning rulers who "grind the faces of the poor" (Isaiah 3:15). The image of the poor walking on the ruins of proud cities would have been shocking—complete reversal of the social order. This prefigures the gospel pattern where God chooses "the foolish things of the world to confound the wise...and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen" (1 Corinthians 1:27-28).
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's pattern of exalting the humble and humbling the proud challenge worldly definitions of success and power?
- In what ways might you be aligned with the 'lofty city' rather than identifying with 'the poor and needy' before God?
- How should this promised reversal shape the church's treatment of the poor and marginalized today?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
"The foot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy." This verse completes the reversal—those once oppressed by the lofty city now walk upon its ruins. "The foot shall tread it down" (תִּרְמְסֶנָּה רָגֶל/tirmesennah ragel)—tirmesennah means to trample, tread down, stamp upon, walk over. This was the ultimate humiliation in ancient warfare; victors literally walked over the ruins of conquered cities, and kings placed their feet on the necks of defeated enemies (Joshua 10:24). The singular "foot" becomes plural in the next phrase, expanding to include multitudes.
"Even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy" (רַגְלֵי עָנִי פַּעֲמֵי דַלִּים/raglei ani pa'amei dallim)—ani means poor, afflicted, humble, oppressed. Dallim means weak, helpless, poor, insignificant. These are the very people the lofty city once oppressed and despised. Now they trample its ruins. Pa'amei (steps, footsteps) suggests steady, purposeful walking—not fearful tiptoeing but confident striding. This is complete role reversal: the oppressed become victorious, the lowly exalted, the weak empowered. This anticipates Jesus's beatitude: "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5) and James's promise that "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble" (James 4:6).