Isaiah 2:14

KJV

And upon all the high mountains, and upon all the hills [that are] lifted up,

KJV (with Strong's)

And upon all the high {H7311} mountains {H2022}, and upon all the hills {H1389} that are lifted up {H5375},

Complete Jewish Bible

for all the high mountains, for all the hills that are lifted up;

Berean Standard Bible

against all the tall mountains, against all the high hills,

American Standard Version

and upon all the high mountains, and upon all the hills that are lifted up,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 2:14 is a poignant declaration within a broader prophetic oracle concerning the "Day of the Lord," a time of ultimate divine judgment and purification. This verse specifically targets "all the high mountains, and upon all the hills that are lifted up," symbolizing the loftiest and most seemingly impregnable elements of human pride, power, and self-exaltation. It underscores God's unwavering resolve to humble every earthly construct and human achievement that stands in defiance or independence of His absolute sovereignty, setting the stage for His sole exaltation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 2:14 is part of a powerful prophetic section (Isaiah 2:6-22) that starkly contrasts with the preceding glorious vision of God's future kingdom and universal peace (Isaiah 2:1-5). While verses 2-4 depict Zion as the exalted center of true worship and justice, the subsequent verses pivot to Judah's present reality of idolatry, materialism, and arrogance. Verses 12-16 specifically enumerate various objects of human pride and strength—from cedars and oaks (v. 13) to mountains, hills (v. 14), towers, walls (v. 15), and ships (v. 16)—all destined for divine abasement on the "Day of the Lord." This litany serves to illustrate the comprehensive nature of God's judgment, leaving no human-exalted thing untouched. The repetition of "high" and "lifted up" throughout this passage creates a powerful rhetorical emphasis on the pervasive nature of human hubris.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy of Isaiah was delivered during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, spanning the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah (around 740-687 BC). This era was marked by political instability, the rising threat of Assyria, and a pervasive spiritual decline within Judah, characterized by idolatry, social injustice, and a reliance on military strength and alliances rather than on God. "High mountains" and "hills" in the ancient Near East often served as sites for pagan worship (known as "high places"), as well as natural fortresses or symbols of established power and security. The prophet's condemnation of these elevated features would have resonated deeply with a people who frequently turned to such physical and spiritual "high places" for their perceived strength and protection, rather than to the Lord.

* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Isaiah. Firstly, it amplifies the theme of **Divine Judgment on Human Pride**, a central message throughout the book. God's "Day of the Lord" is primarily a day when "the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low" ([Isaiah 2:17](/isaiah/2-17 "Isaiah 2:17 - God Alone Exalted")). Secondly, it reinforces **God's Absolute Sovereignty**; by humbling everything that is "high and lifted up," the passage asserts that only the Lord is truly exalted and worthy of worship, contrasting with the futility of human constructs and idols ([Isaiah 2:8-9](/isaiah/2-8 "Isaiah 2:8-9 - Idols and Human Pride")). Finally, it highlights the theme of **False Security**; the reliance on natural strongholds or human achievements, symbolized by the "high mountains" and "hills," is exposed as ultimately vain and unable to withstand God's judgment, echoing warnings found in other prophetic books about trusting in anything other than the Lord ([Jeremiah 17:5](/jeremiah/17-5 "Jeremiah 17:5 - Cursed is the Man Who Trusts in Man")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **high (Hebrew, _rûwm'_):** H7311, a primitive root meaning "to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)." In this context, it describes the inherent elevation of the mountains, but also carries the connotation of human pride, exaltation, and self-sufficiency, which are metaphorically "high" in their own estimation. This word is often used to describe God's exaltation, making its application to human constructs a deliberate contrast.
* **mountains (Hebrew, _har'_):** H2022, a shortened form of הָרָר, referring to "a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)." Here, "mountains" represent not just physical elevations but also major powers, nations, or established institutions that appear formidable and unshakeable in human eyes. They are symbols of permanence, strength, and often, the seat of human dominion.
* **lifted up (Hebrew, _nâsâʼ'_):** H5375, a primitive root meaning "to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative." This participle (nissa'ot) emphasizes the active state of being elevated or exalted. When applied to hills, it reinforces the idea of their prominence, but in the context of judgment, it points to the human tendency to "lift up" or exalt themselves, their achievements, or their idols, which God promises to bring low.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And upon all the high mountains":** This clause initiates the comprehensive scope of God's judgment, extending it to the grandest and most imposing natural features. "High mountains" symbolize the most significant and seemingly unassailable expressions of human power, pride, and established authority—whether political, military, or even religious (e.g., pagan high places). The judgment is universal ("all"), indicating that no earthly eminence will escape divine scrutiny.
* **"and upon all the hills [that are] lifted up":** This clause parallels and intensifies the previous one, broadening the scope of judgment to include "hills" (smaller, yet still prominent elevations). The phrase "lifted up" further emphasizes the characteristic of elevation, both physical and metaphorical. It underscores the pervasive nature of human pride, which manifests not only in grand, mountainous achievements but also in lesser, yet still arrogant, forms of self-exaltation. Both natural elevations and the human constructs built upon them, signifying human reliance on self rather than God, are targeted for abasement.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 2:14 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Parallelism** is evident in the symmetrical structure of "high mountains" and "hills that are lifted up," where the second phrase reiterates and reinforces the first, creating a sense of comprehensive judgment. This is a form of **synonymous parallelism**, where both clauses convey a similar idea of elevated pride. **Symbolism** is central, as "mountains" and "hills" are not merely geographical features but represent human institutions, powers, and the very essence of human pride and self-sufficiency that defy God. The recurring motif of things being "high" or "lifted up" (also seen in Isaiah 2:12-13, 15) is a powerful form of **repetition** or **anaphora** that emphasizes the pervasive nature of human arrogance and the comprehensive scope of God's judgment against it. This repetition builds a crescendo, highlighting the inevitability of every exalted thing being brought low.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 2:14, within the broader context of the "Day of the Lord," serves as a stark reminder of God's unyielding opposition to human pride and self-exaltation. It articulates a fundamental theological principle: anything that humanity elevates above God, whether it be power, wealth, status, or even natural strength, will ultimately be humbled before His supreme sovereignty. This divine judgment is not arbitrary but is a necessary act to clear the way for God's sole exaltation, establishing His kingdom where only He is high and lifted up. The verse thus calls for a posture of humility and absolute reliance on the Creator, rather than on the created or on human ingenuity.

* [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")
* [Luke 14:11](/luke/14-11 "Luke 14:11 - Whoever Exalts Himself Will Be Humbled")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 2:14 challenges us to deeply examine the "high mountains" and "lifted up hills" in our own lives and societies. What are the things we or our culture elevate as ultimate sources of security, identity, or power, apart from God? This verse calls us to a radical humility, recognizing that true stability and lasting worth come only from aligning ourselves with God's will and placing our trust solely in Him. It encourages us to dismantle idols of self-reliance, worldly success, or human achievement, understanding that anything built on pride is destined to fall. Instead of striving to be "high and lifted up" in the world's eyes, we are called to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, knowing that in due time He will exalt us. This perspective fosters a spirit of dependence, gratitude, and a proper fear of the Lord, leading to a life lived for His glory rather than our own.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "high mountains" or "lifted up hills" (e.g., career, wealth, reputation, intellect, relationships) do I tend to rely on or find my identity in, apart from God?**
* **How does the prospect of God humbling all human pride shape my understanding of true strength and security?**
* **In what ways can I cultivate a deeper posture of humility and dependence on God in my daily life?**

### FAQ
**What is the "Day of the Lord" mentioned in the context of Isaiah 2:14?**

Answer: The "Day of the Lord" is a recurring prophetic theme throughout the Old Testament, particularly in Isaiah. It refers to a specific time when God decisively intervenes in human history to execute judgment on sin and pride, purify His people, and establish His righteous kingdom. It is a day of reckoning for those who have exalted themselves against God, but also a day of salvation and restoration for the humble and faithful. In Isaiah 2, it is primarily depicted as a day of divine humbling of all human arrogance, leading to God's sole exaltation, as seen in [Isaiah 2:17](/isaiah/2-17 "Isaiah 2:17 - God Alone Exalted").

**Why does Isaiah use natural features like "mountains" and "hills" to symbolize human pride?**

Answer: In ancient Near Eastern thought, mountains and hills were often seen as symbols of permanence, strength, and stability. They could also be associated with places of pagan worship ("high places") or fortified cities. By prophesying judgment "upon all the high mountains, and upon all the hills that are lifted up," Isaiah uses these seemingly unshakeable natural features as powerful metaphors for anything that humanity considers strong, secure, or elevated—be it political power, military might, wealth, human wisdom, or even religious systems that defy God. The message is that no matter how formidable or entrenched human pride and self-reliance may seem, they are ultimately vulnerable to God's judgment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 2:14, with its pronouncement of judgment on all that is "high and lifted up," finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not only in the humbling of human pride but also in the paradoxical exaltation of Christ through His humility. While the "Day of the Lord" described in Isaiah brings low the proud, the New Testament reveals Jesus Christ as the one who perfectly embodies humility, even to the point of death on a cross. [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Jesus' Humility and Obedience") states that He "humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." Yet, it is precisely through this profound act of self-abasement that God "highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name" ([Philippians 2:9](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9 - Jesus' Exaltation")). Thus, the principle of God opposing the proud and exalting the humble, so powerfully depicted in Isaiah, is supremely demonstrated in Christ. He is the true "mountain" of God, the one truly "lifted up" not by human arrogance, but by divine appointment and righteous suffering, drawing all people to Himself ([John 12:32](/john/12-32 "John 12:32 - Jesus Lifted Up")). His coming marks the ultimate "Day of the Lord" where the proud are judged and the humble, who trust in Him, find eternal exaltation and salvation.

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 30:25

And there shall be upon every high mountain, and upon every high hill, rivers [and] streams of waters in the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall.

Isaiah 40:4

Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:

Psalms 68:16

Why leap ye, ye high hills? [this is] the hill [which] God desireth to dwell in; yea, the LORD will dwell [in it] for ever.

Psalms 110:5

¶ The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.

Psalms 110:6

He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill [the places] with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.

2 Corinthians 10:5

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;