Isaiah 5:16
But the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּגְבַּ֛הּ
shall be exalted
H1361
וַיִּגְבַּ֛הּ
shall be exalted
Strong's:
H1361
Word #:
1 of 8
to soar, i.e., be lofty; figuratively, to be haughty
יְהוָ֥ה
But the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֥ה
But the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 8
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָא֖וֹת
of hosts
H6635
צְבָא֖וֹת
of hosts
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
3 of 8
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
בַּמִּשְׁפָּ֑ט
in judgment
H4941
בַּמִּשְׁפָּ֑ט
in judgment
Strong's:
H4941
Word #:
4 of 8
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
וְהָאֵל֙
and God
H410
וְהָאֵל֙
and God
Strong's:
H410
Word #:
5 of 8
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
הַקָּד֔וֹשׁ
that is holy
H6918
הַקָּד֔וֹשׁ
that is holy
Strong's:
H6918
Word #:
6 of 8
sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary
Cross References
Psalms 46:10Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.Isaiah 12:4And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.1 Chronicles 29:11Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.Isaiah 29:23But when he seeth his children, the work of mine hands, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify my name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel.Ezekiel 36:23And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.1 Peter 2:15For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:Revelation 3:7And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;Isaiah 8:13Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.Isaiah 33:5The LORD is exalted; for he dwelleth on high: he hath filled Zion with judgment and righteousness.Isaiah 2:17And 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.
Historical Context
Israel's exile demonstrated to surrounding nations that Yahweh is holy and just, not impotent. Divine judgment vindicated God's character before watching world.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's judgment serve to sanctify His name and display His holiness?
- In what ways do we see God exalted through His righteous dealings in history?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The consequence of human humbling is divine exaltation: 'the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in judgment.' God's holiness is demonstrated ('sanctified') through righteous judgment, vindicating His character. The parallelism between exaltation and sanctification shows that God's glory and holiness are inseparable—His judgments reveal His holy nature. This anticipates Ezekiel's repeated formula 'they shall know that I am the LORD' through judgment (Ezekiel 6:7), and Romans 9:22-23's teaching that God displays both wrath and mercy for glory's sake.