Isaiah 5:15
And the mean man shall be brought down, and the mighty man shall be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled:
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּשַּׁ֥ח
shall be brought down
H7817
וַיִּשַּׁ֥ח
shall be brought down
Strong's:
H7817
Word #:
1 of 7
to sink or depress (reflexive or causative)
אָדָ֖ם
And the mean man
H120
אָדָ֖ם
And the mean man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
2 of 7
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
תִּשְׁפַּֽלְנָה׃
shall be humbled
H8213
תִּשְׁפַּֽלְנָה׃
shall be humbled
Strong's:
H8213
Word #:
3 of 7
to depress or sink (especially figuratively, to humiliate, intransitive or transitive)
אִ֑ישׁ
and the mighty man
H376
אִ֑ישׁ
and the mighty man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
4 of 7
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)
וְעֵינֵ֥י
and the eyes
H5869
וְעֵינֵ֥י
and the eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
5 of 7
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
Historical Context
Social hierarchy that exalted some while oppressing others would be dismantled through exile. Judgment functioned as great equalizer, demonstrating that covenant standing, not social status, ultimately matters.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the certainty of all human pride being humbled inform present pursuit of humility?
- What 'lofty eyes' in our culture will inevitably face divine humbling?
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Analysis & Commentary
Echoing 2:9, 11, 17, the promise that 'the mean man shall be brought down' and 'the mighty man shall be humbled' reiterates judgment's leveling effect. The phrase 'the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled' emphasizes pride's universal subjection to divine authority. This pattern—human exaltation brought low, divine glory exalted—pervades Scripture, anticipating Mary's Magnificat (Luke 1:52) and James' teaching that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).