Isaiah 2:11-17

11 1The haughty looks of man shall be brought low, and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled, and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.
12 2For the LORD of hosts has a day against all that is proud and lofty, against all that is lifted up--and it shall be brought low;
13 against all the 3cedars of Lebanon, lofty and lifted up; and against all the 4oaks of Bashan;
14 against all 5the lofty mountains, and against all the uplifted hills;
15 against every high tower, and against every fortified wall;
16 against all 6the ships of Tarshish, and against all the beautiful craft.
17 7And the haughtiness of man shall be humbled, and the lofty pride of men shall be brought low, and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.

Isaiah 2:11-17 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 2

This chapter contains a vision or prophecy of the enlargement of Christ's kingdom and interest, and of the glory of his church in the latter day, by the calling of the Gentiles, and the numerous conversions of them to it, and of the abolition of idolatry, and the destruction of the antichristian party. The inscription to it is in Isa 2:1 the prophecy itself follows; the date of it is the last days; the subject matter of it, the kingdom, interest, and church of Christ, signified by the mountain of the Lord's house; its glorious estate is expressed by its establishment on the mountains; by its exaltation above the hills; and by the great numbers that should flock to it, and should encourage one another to go up to it, in order to learn the ways of God, and walk in them; the means of which is the Gospel preached, that should go out of Jerusalem; the effect of that is peace among the nations: hence the house of Jacob is exhorted to walk in the light held forth by it, Isa 2:2-5 and then the reasons are given of God's rejecting and forsaking some that bear the Christian name, called the house of Jacob; namely, their Heathenish superstition, idolatry, covetousness, and confidence in their riches; who are sarcastically called upon to hide themselves in the rocks for fear of the Lord, Isa 2:6-10 when the judgments of God are denounced on the proud and lofty, comparable to cedars, oaks, mountains, hills, high towers, fenced walls, and ships of the ocean, at which time, Christ, and he alone, will be exalted, and idolatry utterly abolished; the consequence of which will be the utmost dread and terror to all idolaters, Isa 2:11-21 and the chapter is concluded with an exhortation to such to cease from the man of sin, and have him in no account, Isa 2:22.

Cross References 7

  • 1. ver. 17; Psalms 18:27; [Micah 2:3; 2 Corinthians 10:5]
  • 2. [Job 40:11, 12; Malachi 4:1]
  • 3. Isaiah 14:8; See Judges 9:15
  • 4. Ezekiel 27:6; Zechariah 11:2
  • 5. [Isaiah 30:25]
  • 6. Isaiah 60:9; 1 Kings 10:22
  • 7. Psalms 18:27; [Micah 2:3; 2 Corinthians 10:5]
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.