Isaiah 26:5

5 He humbles those who dwell on high, he lays the lofty city low; he levels it to the ground and casts it down to the dust.

Isaiah 26:5 in Other Translations

KJV
5 For he bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city, he layeth it low; he layeth it low, even to the ground; he bringeth it even to the dust.
ESV
5 For he has humbled the inhabitants of the height, the lofty city. He lays it low, lays it low to the ground, casts it to the dust.
NLT
5 He humbles the proud and brings down the arrogant city. He brings it down to the dust.
MSG
5 Those who lived high and mighty he knocked off their high horse. He used the city built on the hill as fill for the marshes.
CSB
5 For He has humbled those who live in lofty places- an inaccessible city. He brings it down; He brings it down to the ground; He throws it to 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 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
4 Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal.
5 He humbles those who dwell on high, he lays the lofty city low; he levels it to the ground and casts it down to the dust.
6 Feet trample it down— the feet of the oppressed, the footsteps of the poor.
7 The path of the righteous is level; you, the Upright One, make the way of the righteous smooth.

Cross References 2

  • 1. S Isaiah 25:12; Ezekiel 26:11
  • 2. S Isaiah 25:2
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