Isaiah 2:13

KJV

And upon all the cedars of Lebanon, [that are] high and lifted up, and upon all the oaks of Bashan,

KJV (with Strong's)

And upon all the cedars {H730} of Lebanon {H3844}, that are high {H7311} and lifted up {H5375}, and upon all the oaks {H437} of Bashan {H1316},

Complete Jewish Bible

for all cedars of the L'vanon that are high and lifted up, for all the oaks of the Bashan;

Berean Standard Bible

against all the cedars of Lebanon, lofty and lifted up, against all the oaks of Bashan,

American Standard Version

and upon all the cedars of Lebanon, that are high and lifted up, and upon all the oaks of Bashan,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 2:13 is a powerful prophetic declaration within a larger oracle concerning the "Day of the Lord," a time of divine judgment where God will humble all human pride and exultation. This specific verse targets the majestic "cedars of Lebanon" and the sturdy "oaks of Bashan," which serve as potent symbols of human strength, self-sufficiency, and perceived invincibility, signaling their inevitable downfall and the absolute supremacy of God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 2 opens with a glorious vision of Zion's future exaltation and the universal pilgrimage of nations to Jerusalem, where God's law will go forth, and peace will reign. However, the tone abruptly shifts in [Isaiah 2:6](/isaiah/2-6 "Isaiah 2:6 - Israel's Idolatry and Pride") as the prophet condemns Judah's pervasive idolatry, reliance on foreign alliances, and rampant pride. [Isaiah 2:12](/isaiah/2-12 "Isaiah 2:12 - The Day of the Lord Against the Proud") then introduces the central theme of the "Day of the Lord," a cataclysmic event designed to humble "everyone who is proud and lofty, and everyone who is lifted up." Verses 13-16 enumerate various symbols of human strength and arrogance – from towering trees and fortified cities to ships and beautiful objects – all destined to be brought low. Thus, [Isaiah 2:13](/isaiah/2-13 "Isaiah 2:13 - Judgment on Symbols of Human Pride") functions as a specific example within this broader indictment, highlighting natural elements that represent human might and defiance against God.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Both the cedars of Lebanon and the oaks of Bashan held significant cultural and economic value in the ancient Near East. Lebanese cedars were renowned for their immense size, longevity, strength, and aromatic wood, making them highly prized for monumental construction, notably used in Solomon's Temple ([1_kings/5](/1-kings/5 "1 Kings 5 - Solomon's Alliance with Hiram") and [1_kings/6](/1-kings/6 "1 Kings 6 - Solomon Builds the Temple")). They symbolized majesty, power, and enduring stability. Bashan, a fertile region east of the Jordan River, was famous for its rich pastures and robust oak forests. Its oaks, while perhaps not as tall as cedars, were known for their sturdy, unyielding nature, often associated with strength and resilience. Culturally, both types of trees could also be linked to pagan worship sites (e.g., "under every green tree" as seen in [jeremiah/2-20](/jeremiah/2-20 "Jeremiah 2:20 - Israel's Idolatry")), where people would worship idols, further symbolizing human self-reliance and deviation from God. The phrase "high and lifted up" was not merely descriptive but carried connotations of haughtiness and arrogance in human contexts, contrasting sharply with its use to describe God's exalted nature (e.g., [isaiah/6-1](/isaiah/6-1 "Isaiah 6:1 - Isaiah's Vision of God's Glory")).

* **Key Themes:** The primary theme is the **Divine Judgment on Human Pride**. The verse vividly illustrates God's absolute sovereignty over all creation and humanity, asserting that no earthly power, no matter how imposing or seemingly invincible, can stand against His ultimate authority. The "Day of the Lord" is presented as a time of **Humiliation and Exaltation**, where human arrogance is brought low, and God alone is exalted ([isaiah/2-11](/isaiah/2-11 "Isaiah 2:11 - The Humbling of Man")). The specific imagery of the trees also touches upon the theme of **Idolatry and Misplaced Trust**, as reliance on natural strength or human achievements (represented by these mighty trees) is a form of idolatry, diverting trust from the one true God. This passage underscores the biblical principle that pride precedes destruction ([proverbs/16-18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Precedes Destruction")), and true security is found only in humble submission to the Lord.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **cedars (Hebrew, _ʼerez'_):** From H730, meaning "a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots)." These were the most majestic and valuable trees in the ancient world, symbolizing strength, endurance, and often, human pride or kingly power due to their use in royal and sacred architecture.
* **lifted up (Hebrew, _nâsâʼ'_):** From H5375, a primitive root meaning "to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative." In this context, combined with "high" (H7311, _rûwm_), it denotes a state of being elevated, exalted, or even haughty, emphasizing the towering and self-exalting nature of the entities being judged.
* **oaks (Hebrew, _ʼallôwn'_):** From H437, a variation of H436, meaning "an oak or other strong tree." While perhaps less grand than cedars, oaks were known for their robustness, deep roots, and sturdy nature, symbolizing resilience and strength. They also frequently marked sites of pagan worship, adding a layer of idolatrous connotation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And upon all the cedars of Lebanon,"**: This clause introduces the first target of God's judgment. The "cedars of Lebanon" are not merely trees but powerful symbols. They represent the loftiest, most impressive, and seemingly unconquerable aspects of human achievement, power, and pride, often associated with kings, nations, or individuals who trust in their own might.
* **"[that are] high and lifted up,"**: This descriptive phrase amplifies the symbolic meaning of the cedars. "High" (H7311, _rûwm_) and "lifted up" (H5375, _nâsâʼ_) emphasize their towering stature and, by extension, the arrogance and self-exaltation of those they represent. It highlights the perceived invincibility and haughtiness that characterizes human pride in defiance of God.
* **"and upon all the oaks of Bashan,"**: This clause introduces the second target, paralleling the first. The "oaks of Bashan" reinforce the message of judgment on human strength and self-reliance. Bashan's oaks, known for their sturdiness and association with fertile, prosperous lands, symbolize robust, deeply rooted human institutions, wealth, or power that similarly stand in defiance of God, often implicitly or explicitly linked to idolatrous practices.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 2:13 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Symbolism** is paramount, as the "cedars of Lebanon" and "oaks of Bashan" are not merely literal trees but represent the epitome of human strength, pride, and self-sufficiency. These majestic natural elements become metaphors for all that is exalted and arrogant in the world, whether individuals, nations, or human institutions. The verse also utilizes **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous parallelism, by presenting two distinct but functionally equivalent images (cedars and oaks) to reinforce the same idea: God's judgment will fall upon all forms of human loftiness. The phrase "high and lifted up" is an example of **Emphasis** through repetition of a concept, underscoring the extreme nature of the pride being targeted. Furthermore, there is a profound **Irony** at play; the very phrase "high and lifted up" is often used in Isaiah to describe the Lord Himself ([isaiah/6-1](/isaiah/6-1 "Isaiah 6:1 - Isaiah's Vision of God's Glory")), yet here it is applied to the objects of human pride that God intends to humble, highlighting the vast chasm between true divine majesty and fleeting human arrogance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 2:13 is a foundational text for understanding the biblical doctrine of divine judgment, particularly as it relates to human pride. It underscores God's absolute sovereignty and His commitment to humbling all that exalts itself against Him. Theologically, it teaches that no human achievement, no matter how grand or seemingly secure, can stand before the Lord's righteous indignation. This humbling is not arbitrary but is a necessary act to clear the way for God's ultimate exaltation and the establishment of His righteous kingdom, where only He is truly lifted up. The verse also implicitly critiques idolatry, as trust in human strength or material symbols is a form of worshipping creation rather than the Creator.

* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction")
* [James 4:6](/james/4-6 "James 4:6 - God Opposes the Proud")
* [Ezekiel 31:3](/ezekiel/31-3 "Ezekiel 31:3 - Assyria as a Cedar of Lebanon")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 2:13 serves as a timeless and sobering warning against the insidious nature of human pride and self-reliance. In a world that often celebrates self-made success, individual achievement, and material accumulation, this verse forcefully reminds us that all such glories are fleeting and ultimately subject to God's judgment. It calls us to a radical humility, urging us to examine the "cedars" and "oaks" in our own lives – those areas where we might be trusting in our own strength, intellect, wealth, status, or accomplishments rather than in God alone. True security and lasting significance are not found in what we build or achieve, but in our humble submission to the Lord, acknowledging His supreme authority over all things. This passage compels us to reorient our trust, recognizing that only God is truly exalted and worthy of all praise, and that genuine exaltation comes not from self-promotion but from being brought low before Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "cedars of Lebanon" or "oaks of Bashan" might exist in my own life, representing areas where I place my trust in human strength or achievement rather than in God?**
* **How does the concept of the "Day of the Lord" and God's judgment on pride shape my understanding of humility and dependence on Him?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to be "high and lifted up" in my thoughts or actions, and how can I cultivate a more humble and God-centered perspective?**
* **How can recognizing God's absolute sovereignty over all earthly power influence my prayers and my approach to worldly challenges?**

### FAQ
**What is the "Day of the Lord" mentioned in the context of Isaiah 2:13?**

Answer: The "Day of the Lord" is a prominent prophetic theme throughout the Old Testament, particularly in Isaiah. It refers to a specific time, or series of events, when God intervenes decisively in human history to execute judgment upon the wicked and to bring about the salvation of His people. In [Isaiah 2](/isaiah/2 "Isaiah 2 - The Day of the Lord"), it is depicted as a day of reckoning when God will humble all human pride, idolatry, and self-sufficiency, bringing low everything that is "high and lifted up" to demonstrate His sole and absolute supremacy. It is a day of both wrath and purification, ultimately leading to God's exaltation alone, as stated in [Isaiah 2:11](/isaiah/2-11 "Isaiah 2:11 - The Humbling of Man").

**Why are "cedars of Lebanon" and "oaks of Bashan" specifically chosen as symbols in this verse?**

Answer: These trees were chosen for their symbolic power in the ancient Near East. The "cedars of Lebanon" were renowned for their immense height, strength, durability, and value, often used in royal and sacred architecture (e.g., [1_kings/5](/1-kings/5 "1 Kings 5 - Solomon's Alliance with Hiram")). They represented the pinnacle of human majesty, power, and perceived invincibility. The "oaks of Bashan," while perhaps less grand, were known for their robustness and deep roots, symbolizing enduring strength and resilience. Both types of trees, therefore, served as potent metaphors for human pride, self-reliance, and institutions that stand tall in defiance of God. Furthermore, groves of trees, including oaks, were frequently associated with pagan worship sites in ancient Israel (e.g., [hosea/4-13](/hosea/4-13 "Hosea 4:13 - Idolatry Under Trees")), adding a layer of condemnation for idolatrous practices and misplaced trust.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 2:13, with its pronouncement of judgment on all that is "high and lifted up," finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in both the first and second comings of Jesus. In His first advent, Christ perfectly embodied the antithesis of human pride, choosing humility and self-emptying rather than self-exaltation. Though He was "in the form of God," He "did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men" ([philippians/2-6-7](/philippians/2-6-7 "Philippians 2:6-7 - Christ's Humility")). His crucifixion, the ultimate act of humiliation, paradoxically became the means by which God's justice was satisfied and humanity's pride was addressed, offering a path to reconciliation. The "Day of the Lord", which humbles all earthly glory, points forward to Christ's second coming, when He will return not in humility but in power and glory to execute final judgment. On that day, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord ([philippians/2-10-11](/philippians/2-10-11 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Will Bow")), and all human systems, powers, and prides symbolized by the cedars and oaks will be brought low before His absolute sovereignty. Thus, Christ is both the humble one who fulfills the call to humility and the exalted Lord who will ultimately bring to nothing all that exalts itself against God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 14:8

Yea, the fir trees rejoice at thee, [and] the cedars of Lebanon, [saying], Since thou art laid down, no feller is come up against us.

Isaiah 10:33

Behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, shall lop the bough with terror: and the high ones of stature [shall be] hewn down, and the haughty shall be humbled.

Isaiah 10:34

And he shall cut down the thickets of the forest with iron, and Lebanon shall fall by a mighty one.

Zechariah 11:1

¶ Open thy doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour thy cedars.

Zechariah 11:2

Howl, fir tree; for the cedar is fallen; because the mighty are spoiled: howl, O ye oaks of Bashan; for the forest of the vintage is come down.

Ezekiel 31:3

Behold, the Assyrian [was] a cedar in Lebanon with fair branches, and with a shadowing shroud, and of an high stature; and his top was among the thick boughs.

Ezekiel 31:12

And strangers, the terrible of the nations, have cut him off, and have left him: upon the mountains and in all the valleys his branches are fallen, and his boughs are broken by all the rivers of the land; and all the people of the earth are gone down from his shadow, and have left him.