Isaiah 26:5

5 He has brought down those who live high in the towering city. He levels it. He levels it to the ground and throws it into the dust.

Isaiah 26:5 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 26:5

For he bringeth down them that dwell on high, the lofty
city
That dwell on high in the high city, so the accents require the words to be rendered; and accordingly the Targum is,

``for he will bring low the inhabitants of the high and strong city;''
such that dwell in a city built on high, and in the high towers and palaces of it; or that sit on high thrones, are spiritual wickednesses in high places, and are of proud and haughty dispositions and conduct; as the pope of Rome and his cardinals; for not the city of Jerusalem is here meant, as Jerom thinks, whose destruction he supposes is foretold, as both by the Babylonians and Romans; and therefore, he observes, the word is doubled in the next clause; nor the city of Nineveh; nor Babylon, literally taken; but mystical Babylon is here meant. Jarchi interprets them that dwell on high of Tyre and Greece; but Jerom says, the Jews understand by the lofty city the city of Rome; and this seems to be the true sense; a city built upon seven hills or mountains; a city that has ruled over the kings of the earth, and whose present inhabitants are proud and haughty: he layeth it low: he layeth it low, [even] to the ground; he
bringeth it [even] to the dust;
all which expressions denote the utter destruction of it; see ( Isaiah 25:12 ) ( Revelation 18:7 Revelation 18:8 Revelation 18:21 ) .

Isaiah 26:5 In-Context

3 With perfect peace you will protect those whose minds cannot be changed, because they trust you.
4 Trust the LORD always, because the LORD, the LORD alone, is an everlasting rock.
5 He has brought down those who live high in the towering city. He levels it. He levels it to the ground and throws it into the dust.
6 Feet trample it, the feet of the oppressed, the footsteps of the poor.
7 The path of the righteous is level. O Upright One, you make the road of the righteous smooth.
GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved. Used by permission.