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Isaiah 26:6

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The foot shall tread it down, [even] the feet of the poor, [and] the steps of the needy.

The foot {H7272} shall tread it down {H7429}, even the feet {H7272} of the poor {H6041}, and the steps {H6471} of the needy {H1800}.

It is trampled underfoot by the feet of the poor, by the footsteps of the needy.

Feet trample it down— the feet of the oppressed, the steps of the poor.

The foot shall tread it down; even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy.

Commentary

Isaiah 26:6 (KJV) is a powerful declaration of God's justice and His ultimate triumph over human pride and oppression. It vividly portrays a dramatic reversal of fortunes, where the powerful are humbled and the previously downtrodden are vindicated.

Context

This verse is part of a prophetic song found in Isaiah 26, a chapter celebrating God's righteous judgment and the security of those who trust in Him. Following the declaration to "Trust ye in the LORD for ever" (Isaiah 26:4), the preceding verse, Isaiah 26:5, describes how God "bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city, he layeth it low." Verse 6 continues this thought, specifying that "it" (the lofty city, representing oppressive human power) will be trodden down by "the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy." This highlights God's divine hand in humbling the arrogant and exalting the humble.

Key Themes

  • Divine Reversal and Justice: The core message is God's unwavering commitment to justice. He dismantles systems of pride and oppression, ensuring that those who once exalted themselves are brought low. This demonstrates God's sovereignty over human power structures.
  • Vindication of the Oppressed: The "poor" (Hebrew: dal) and "needy" (Hebrew: 'evyon) represent not just the economically disadvantaged, but often those who are vulnerable, humble, and oppressed by the proud. God empowers these very individuals to participate in the overthrow of their oppressors, symbolizing their ultimate vindication and triumph.
  • Humility vs. Pride: This verse serves as a stark contrast between the arrogance of the "lofty city" and the humility of the poor and needy. It reinforces the biblical principle that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "tread it down" is ramas (רָמַס), which means to trample, stamp, or crush. This is a strong verb indicating complete subjugation and decisive victory. It emphasizes the thoroughness of God's judgment against the oppressive powers and the complete reversal of fortune for the poor and needy.

Practical Application

For believers today, Isaiah 26:6 offers profound comfort and a challenging perspective:

  • Hope for the Marginalized: It provides immense encouragement to those who feel oppressed, overlooked, or powerless. It assures them that God sees their plight and will ultimately bring justice, enabling the humble to prevail.
  • Warning Against Pride: The verse serves as a solemn warning to anyone in positions of power or influence not to become arrogant or oppressive, for God will surely bring down the proud and exalt the lowly (1 Peter 5:6).
  • Trust in God's Justice: It reinforces the importance of trusting in God's perfect timing and His unwavering commitment to righteousness. Even when injustice seems to prevail, this verse reminds us that God's ultimate plan includes the downfall of the wicked and the vindication of His people.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

  • Romans 16:20 (3 votes)

    And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you. Amen.

  • Joshua 10:24 (3 votes)

    And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them.

  • Luke 10:19 (3 votes)

    Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

  • Zephaniah 3:11 (2 votes)

    In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holy mountain.

  • Isaiah 25:10 (2 votes)

    For in this mountain shall the hand of the LORD rest, and Moab shall be trodden down under him, even as straw is trodden down for the dunghill.

  • James 2:5 (2 votes)

    Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

  • Luke 1:51 (2 votes)

    He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.