Isaiah 2:17

And 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.

And the loftiness {H1365} of man {H120} shall be bowed down {H7817}, and the haughtiness {H7312} of men {H582} shall be made low {H8213}: and the LORD {H3068} alone shall be exalted {H7682} in that day {H3117}.

The pride of man will be bowed down, the arrogance of men will be humiliated, and when that day comes, ADONAI alone will be exalted.

So the pride of man will be brought low, and the loftiness of men will be humbled; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day,

And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be brought low; and Jehovah alone shall be exalted in that day.

Commentary

Isaiah 2:17 is a powerful prophetic declaration concerning the ultimate triumph of God's sovereignty over human pride and arrogance. It serves as a stark warning against the self-exaltation of man, promising that in the "Day of the LORD," all human loftiness and haughtiness will be brought low, and God alone will be exalted.

Context

This verse is part of a larger prophecy in Isaiah 2 that begins with a glorious vision of God's future kingdom and peace (Isaiah 2:2-4), but quickly shifts to a stern rebuke of Judah's idolatry and pride. The prophet condemns the nation's reliance on military might, wealth, and false gods, portraying a coming "Day of the LORD" that will bring divine judgment upon all that is elevated and self-sufficient in humanity. Verse 17 summarizes the outcome of this divine reckoning, emphasizing the humbling of man and the singular exaltation of God. This theme of judgment on pride is introduced earlier in the chapter, notably in Isaiah 2:12, which states, "For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low."

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment on Human Pride: The verse directly addresses the issue of human arrogance, whether it manifests as self-sufficiency, reliance on worldly power, or idolatry. God's judgment is portrayed as an inevitable force that will humble all forms of human loftiness. This echoes the biblical principle found in Proverbs 16:18, "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall."
  • God's Ultimate Sovereignty: The core message is that only the LORD is worthy of ultimate exaltation. In a world where humans often seek to elevate themselves or their creations, this prophecy asserts God's absolute authority and unique right to glory.
  • The Day of the LORD: This prophetic term refers to a future time when God intervenes decisively in history, often bringing judgment upon the wicked and establishing His righteous rule. It is a day of reckoning where divine justice prevails and God's character is fully revealed.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew words used for "loftiness" (גָּבַהּ - gabah) and "haughtiness" (רוּם - rum) both convey the idea of being high or elevated. However, in these contexts, they carry a negative connotation of arrogance, pride, and self-exaltation. The powerful contrast comes in the final clause: "the LORD alone shall be exalted" (also רוּם - rum). The same root word for human pride is used to describe God's rightful elevation, highlighting that what is a sin for man (self-exaltation) is the very nature of God (His inherent glory and supremacy).

Practical Application

Isaiah 2:17 serves as a timeless reminder for all people:

  1. Cultivate Humility: Believers are called to a life of humility, recognizing that all blessings come from God and that true strength is found in dependence on Him. This aligns with the New Testament call to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God.
  2. Beware of Pride: This verse warns against any form of pride—whether intellectual, material, or spiritual—as it is an affront to God and will ultimately be brought low.
  3. Worship God Alone: The ultimate purpose of God's judgment is to clear the way for His singular exaltation. Our lives should reflect the truth that the LORD alone is worthy of our worship, praise, and allegiance, as He is the one who is truly worthy of all glory and honor.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 48:29 (5 votes)

    We have heard the pride of Moab, (he is exceeding proud) his loftiness, and his arrogancy, and his pride, and the haughtiness of his heart.

  • Jeremiah 48:30 (5 votes)

    I know his wrath, saith the LORD; but [it shall] not [be] so; his lies shall not so effect [it].

  • Ezekiel 28:2 (4 votes)

    Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thine heart [is] lifted up, and thou hast said, I [am] a God, I sit [in] the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou [art] a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God:

  • Ezekiel 28:7 (4 votes)

    Behold, therefore I will bring strangers upon thee, the terrible of the nations: and they shall draw their swords against the beauty of thy wisdom, and they shall defile thy brightness.

  • Isaiah 2:11 (4 votes)

    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.

  • Isaiah 13:11 (4 votes)

    And I will punish the world for [their] evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.