Isaiah 2:11
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)
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This verse isn't just about God humbling the proud; it's a powerful declaration that man's own pride is what will be brought low. The "lofty looks" and "haughtiness" belong to humanity itself, and it's this intrinsic human self-exaltation that will crumble before the undeniable glory of the Lord.
This prophecy begins by describing a future time when God's mountain will be established and nations will flow to it for instruction. Isaiah then calls out the people of Jacob for their idolatry and reliance on worldly things like silver, gold, horses, and chariots, instead of God. The passage warns that God's judgment is coming upon all pride and human endeavors, leading to the humbling of all who exalt themselves.
Why does the Bible seem so down on human pride? In this prophetic vision, we see a dramatic cosmic shift where human arrogance is crushed, making way for God's ultimate glory.
This verse paints a stark picture of God's judgment against human pride. In 'that day' – a time of divine reckoning – the very things that make people puff themselves up will be brought low.
The Humbled
Amidst the rubble of human ambition, who is left standing? This verse points to the singular, unshakeable position of the LORD.
The ultimate outcome of 'that day' isn't just the downfall of pride; it's the undeniable exaltation of God.
The Sole Sovereign
This exalting of God is the culmination of His judgment and the ultimate vindication of His name and purposes.
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
This prophecy, given by Isaiah during a time of growing Assyrian imperial power, speaks to a future 'day of the LORD' when human pride and self-reliance will be judged. It contrasts the temporary power of earthly rulers and nations with the eternal exaltation of God, a theme deeply relevant to a people facing overwhelming foreign threats and internal corruption.
Late 8th century BC— this verse
Assyrian Imperialism Threatens Judah
The Neo-Assyrian Empire, under rulers like Tiglath-Pileser III and Sargon II, exerted significant power and influence over the region, including Judah. This period saw political instability and the constant threat of invasion or vassalage.
c. 701 BC
Sennacherib's Invasion of Judah
The Assyrian king Sennacherib invaded Judah, conquering many fortified cities. Jerusalem was besieged but ultimately spared, though Judah was forced to pay a heavy tribute.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon defeated the Egyptian and Assyrian forces at Carchemish, marking the rise of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. This led to the first deportation of Judean exiles, including figures like Daniel.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Second Temple Destruction
This Psalm speaks of God humbling the proud and exalting the humble, directly echoing the theme that God alone will be exalted when human pride is brought low.
Proverbs 18:12This proverb states that pride goes before destruction, highlighting the same principle that human arrogance leads to downfall, setting the stage for God's exaltation.
Daniel 4:30-37The story of Nebuchadnezzar's humbling shows a king whose pride was so great that God brought him low, ultimately leading to the king acknowledging God's supreme authority, mirroring Isaiah's prophecy.
Luke 1:52This verse from the Magnificat directly quotes and expands on the concept, stating that God has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts and brought down rulers from their thrones, while exalting the humble.
Zechariah 14:9This passage, often linked with Isaiah's prophecy, also speaks of a future 'day of the LORD' when God will be king over all the earth, and His name alone will be one, reinforcing the singular exaltation of the Lord.
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…
This verse isn't just about God humbling the proud; it's a powerful declaration that man's own pride is what will be brought low. The "lofty looks" and "haughtiness" belong to humanity itself, and it's this intrinsic human self-exaltation that will crumble before the undeniable glory of the Lord.
This prophecy begins by describing a future time when God's mountain will be established and nations will flow to it for instruction. Isaiah then calls out the people of Jacob for their idolatry and reliance on worldly things like silver, gold, horses, and chariots, instead of God. The passage warns that God's judgment is coming upon all pride and human endeavors, leading to the humbling of all who exalt themselves.
This prophecy begins by describing a future time when God's mountain will be established and nations will flow to it for instruction. Isaiah then calls out the people of Jacob for their idolatry and reliance on worldly things like silver, gold, horses, and chariots, instead of God. The passage warns that God's judgment is coming upon all pride and human endeavors, leading to the humbling of all who exalt themselves.
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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.
The Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar II conquered Jerusalem, destroyed Solomon's Temple, and deported the majority of the remaining population, ending the Judean monarchy.
539 BC
Cyrus the Great Conquers Babylon
Cyrus of Persia overthrew the Neo-Babylonian Empire, allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple.
"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." — This verse isn't just about God humbling the proud; it's a powerful declaration that man's own pride is what will be brought low. The "lofty looks" and "haughtiness" belong to humanity itself, and…
