The haughty looks of man shall be brought low, and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled, and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse emphasizes that true exaltation belongs only to the LORD. It's not just about God being lifted up, but about the complete humbling of human pride, so that there's no room left for any other to be exalted alongside Him. This highlights the radical exclusivity of God's glory.
The haughty looks of man shall be brought low, and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled, and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse is part of Isaiah's prophecy concerning a future day of judgment and salvation. It follows verses describing humanity's pride and reliance on idols and human strength, contrasting this with God's coming exaltation. The prophet emphasizes that on this "day," all human arrogance will be brought low, and only the Lord will be supreme.
We all have moments when we feel on top of the world. But what happens when that feeling is built on self-reliance instead of God's strength?
Isaiah 2:11 paints a stark picture: 'The haughty looks of man shall be brought low, and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled.' This isn't just about a bad attitude; it's about a fundamental orientation of the heart that sets human achievement and self-sufficiency above God.
The Foundation of Pride
Pride often stems from what we possess – our talents, our wealth, our status, our intelligence. We look at these things and think, 'Look what I've done!' This outward expression, the 'lofty looks,' is deeply connected to an inward 'lofty pride.' It’s the belief that we are in control and that our own efforts are what truly matter.
God's Perspective
God sees this self-exaltation for what it is – a rebellion. The 'day' Isaiah refers to is a day of reckoning, when human defenses crumble, and all that we’ve built our pride upon is revealed as fragile. It's a day when God's justice will ensure that human arrogance is met with humility. The punishment fits the sin: the very things we lift ourselves up with are the things that will be brought low.
In a world that constantly tells us to 'stand tall' and 'believe in yourself,' where does God fit into the picture of ultimate glory?
The verse climaxes with a powerful declaration: 'and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.' This isn't just a consequence of human pride being humbled; it's the ultimate purpose and the central theme of God's redemptive plan.
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The Day of Divine Sovereignty
'That day' is the day when all false gods and human endeavors that vie for ultimate importance will be exposed and rendered powerless. It’s the day when God’s sovereignty, His rightful place as the supreme being, will be undeniably clear.
God's Unique Glory
Isaiah highlights that it is alone the LORD who will be exalted. This means no other power, no other authority, no other source of salvation or hope can share in this ultimate glory. Human systems, political powers, personal achievements – they all fade into insignificance when compared to the eternal, unchangeable glory of God. His exaltation isn't dependent on human acknowledgment; it is an inherent attribute that will be revealed for all to see.
Understand the original words
ayin gaboah · Hebrew Noun phrase
Refers to an arrogant or disdainful attitude, often characterized by self-exaltation and a lack of proper reverence for God. It represents the internal disposition of the heart that opposes divine authority.
rum · Hebrew Noun
The state of self-importance or overestimation of one's own worth, which is viewed as a fundamental sin because it places the creature above the Creator. Scripture consistently teaches that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The covenant name of the God of Israel, YHWH. It signifies the self-existent, eternal, and faithful One who reveals Himself to His people.
sagab · Hebrew Verb
To be lifted up, glorified, or made high. Biblically, this is the rightful place of God alone, as He is the supreme Sovereign over all creation.
This prophecy was given during a time when Judah was deeply influenced by powerful empires, prone to idolatry, and facing imminent threats. The verse highlights that true security and exaltation come not from human strength or pride, but solely from the Lord.
Late 8th century BC
Assyrian Hegemony
The Assyrian Empire, a formidable military power, dominated the region. Its influence and military might created an atmosphere of fear and a tendency for smaller nations like Judah to seek alliances or protection from human powers.
c. 740 BC— this verse
Isaiah's Call to Prophecy
Isaiah receives his prophetic call, witnessing visions of God's glory and judgment. This vision of future judgment and divine exaltation is given during a time when Judah was deeply entrenched in idolatry and political instability.
701 BC
Sennacherib's Invasion of Judah
The Assyrian king Sennacherib invades Judah, conquering many cities and besieging Jerusalem. This event powerfully demonstrated the futility of human defenses and the vulnerability of proud, fortified cities.
586 BC
Babylonian Exile Begins
The Babylonian Empire conquers Judah and destroys Jerusalem and the Temple, exiling much of the population. This catastrophic event serves as a stark example of God's judgment against pride and idolatry.
c. 5th-4th century BC
Post-Exilic Period
Following the return from exile, there was a renewed emphasis on faithfulness to God and a rejection of foreign alliances and idolatry, reflecting the lessons learned from past judgments.
This proverb directly echoes Isaiah's theme, stating 'Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall,' highlighting the inevitable consequence of human arrogance.
Daniel 4:30-37The story of Nebuchadnezzar's madness and restoration powerfully illustrates God humbling a proud king, showing how human exultation is temporary while God's eternal reign is absolute.
Luke 14:11Jesus' teaching, 'For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted,' provides a direct parallel to Isaiah's message of divine reversal for the proud.
Philippians 2:5-11This passage describes Christ's ultimate humility and subsequent exaltation by God, serving as the perfect example of the principle that God alone is truly exalted, not through self-elevation but through obedience.
Psalm 75:4-7This psalm directly addresses the arrogant, warning them that promotion comes neither from the east nor the west, but that God is the judge who humbles the proud and lifts up the humble.
jfbIsaiah 2:11: "The 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."
- lofty looks—literally, "eyes of pride" (Ps 18:27).humbled—by calamities. God will so vindicate His honor "in that day" of judgments, that none else "shall be exalted" (Zec 14:9).
ellicottIsaiah 2:11: "The 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."
(11) The lofty looks of man . . .—Better, the lofty looks of the mean man . . . the haughtiness of the great man. The self-assertion which is the essential element of pride may be found at the opposite extremes of social life. The Lord alone shall be exalted . . .—The verb, as in Psalm 46:7; Psalm 46:11 (see margin and text of Authorised Versio…
The verse emphasizes that true exaltation belongs only to the LORD. It's not just about God being lifted up, but about the complete humbling of human pride, so that there's no room left for any other to be exalted alongside Him. This highlights the radical exclusivity of God's glory.
This verse is part of Isaiah's prophecy concerning a future day of judgment and salvation. It follows verses describing humanity's pride and reliance on idols and human strength, contrasting this with God's coming exaltation. The prophet emphasizes that on this "day," all human arrogance will be brought low, and only the Lord will be supreme.
This verse is part of Isaiah's prophecy concerning a future day of judgment and salvation. It follows verses describing humanity's pride and reliance on idols and human strength, contrasting this with God's coming exaltation. The prophet emphasizes that on this "day," all human arrogance will be brought low, and only the Lord will be supreme.
"The haughty looks of man shall be brought low, and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled, and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day." — The verse emphasizes that true exaltation belongs only to the LORD. It's not just about God being lifted up, but about the complete humbling of human pride, so that there's no room left for any oth…
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Last reviewed October 2026