Isaiah 2:12

Isaiah 2:12 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

For the Day of the LORD of Hosts will come against all the proud and lofty, against all that is exalted— it will be humbled—

King James Version KJV

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:

American Standard Version ASV

For there shall be a day of Jehovah of hosts upon all that is proud and haughty, and upon all that is lifted up; and it shall be brought low;

Bible in Basic English BBE

For the day of the Lord of armies is coming on all the pride of men, and on all who are high and lifted up;

Free Bible Version FBV

The Lord has set aside a day when he will deal with the proud and arrogant. He will end all self-glorification, bringing it down.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

For the day of the Lord of hostes is vpon all the proude and hautie, and vpon all that is exalted: and it shalbe made lowe.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

For a day [is] to Jehovah of Hosts, For every proud and high one, And for every lifted up and low one,

World English Bible WEB

For there will be a day of the LORD of Armies for all that is proud and arrogant, and for all that is lifted up, and it shall be brought low—

Noah Webster Bible WBS

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:

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Because the day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and highminded, and upon every one that is arrogant, and he shall be humbled.

Translation for Translators T4T

The Commander of the armies of angels has chosen a day when he will judge those who are proud, every one of them [DOU], and he will humble them.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 2:12

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Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Isaiah 2:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB כִּ֣י י֞וֹם לַ/יהוָ֧ה צְבָא֛וֹת עַ֥ל כָּל גֵּאֶ֖ה וָ/רָ֑ם וְ/עַ֖ל כָּל נִשָּׂ֥א וְ/שָׁפֵֽל

כִּ֣י kîy H3588 for Conj

י֞וֹם yôwm H3117 day N-ms

לַ/יהוָ֧ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 The Lord Prep | N-proper

צְבָא֛וֹת tsâbâʼ H6635 army N-cp

עַ֥ל ʻal H5921 upon Prep

כָּל kôl H3605 all N-ms

גֵּאֶ֖ה gêʼeh H1343 proud Adj

וָ/רָ֑ם rûwm H7311 to exalt Conj | V-Qal

וְ/עַ֖ל ʻal H5921 upon Conj | Prep

כָּל kôl H3605 all N-ms

נִשָּׂ֥א nâsâʼ H5375 to lift V-Niphal

וְ/שָׁפֵֽל shâphêl H8213 to abase Conj | V-Qal-3ms

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 2:12

כִּ֣י kîy H3588 "for" Conj

A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.

Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.

י֞וֹם yôwm H3117 "day" N-ms

The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.

Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow

Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.

לַ/יהוָ֧ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 "The Lord" Prep | N-proper

Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.

Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.

צְבָא֛וֹת tsâbâʼ H6635 "army" N-cp

This Hebrew word means a large group of people or things, often referring to an army or a campaign, and is also used to describe the Lord's hosts. It appears in the Bible as a name for God, emphasizing His power and authority. In the KJV, it's translated as 'host' or 'army'.

Definition: : army 1) that which goes forth, army, war, warfare, host 1a) army, host 1a1) host (of organised army) 1a2) host (of angels) 1a3) of sun, moon, and stars 1a4) of whole creation 1b) war, warfare, service, go out to war 1c) service

Usage: Occurs in 463 OT verses. KJV: appointed time, ([phrase]) army, ([phrase]) battle, company, host, service, soldiers, waiting upon, war(-fare). See also: Genesis 2:1; 1 Samuel 17:55; Psalms 24:10.

עַ֥ל ʻal H5921 "upon" Prep

This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.

Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)

Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.

כָּל kôl H3605 "all" N-ms

The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.

Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.

גֵּאֶ֖ה gêʼeh H1343 "proud" Adj

Proud or arrogant, describing someone with a lofty attitude, like the proud people in Proverbs. It is used to describe those who think too highly of themselves.

Definition: proud

Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: proud. See also: Job 40:11; Proverbs 15:25; Psalms 94:2.

וָ/רָ֑ם rûwm H7311 "to exalt" Conj | V-Qal

This verb can mean to lift something or someone up, like a parent lifting a child, or to exalt oneself in pride. In the Bible, it's used to describe God lifting up the humble and bringing down the proud.

Definition: 1) to rise, rise up, be high, be lofty, be exalted 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be high, be set on high 1a2) to be raised, be uplifted, be exalted 1a3) to be lifted, rise 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to raise or rear (children), cause to grow up 1b2) to lift up, raise, exalt 1b3) to exalt, extol 1c) (Polal) to be lifted up 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to raise, lift, lift up, take up, set up, erect, exalt, set on high 1d2) to lift up (and take away), remove 1d3) to lift off and present, contribute, offer, contribute 1e) (Hophal) to be taken off, be abolished 1f) (Hithpolel) to exalt oneself, magnify oneself Aramaic equivalent: rum (רוּם "to rise" H7313)

Usage: Occurs in 184 OT verses. KJV: bring up, exalt (self), extol, give, go up, haughty, heave (up), (be, lift up on, make on, set up on, too) high(-er, one), hold up, levy, lift(-er) up, (be) lofty, ([idiom] a-) loud, mount up, offer (up), [phrase] presumptuously, (be) promote(-ion), proud, set up, tall(-er), take (away, off, up), breed worms. See also: Genesis 7:17; Psalms 46:11; Psalms 3:4.

וְ/עַ֖ל ʻal H5921 "upon" Conj | Prep

This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.

כָּל kôl H3605 "all" N-ms

Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

נִשָּׂ֥א nâsâʼ H5375 "to lift" V-Niphal

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to lift or raise something, and it's used in many ways, like lifting a burden or raising someone's status. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah, often talking about God lifting people up. It's about supporting or carrying something or someone.

Definition: : raise/take_up 1) to lift, bear up, carry, take 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lift, lift up 1a2) to bear, carry, support, sustain, endure 1a3) to take, take away, carry off, forgive 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be lifted up, be exalted 1b2) to lift oneself up, rise up 1b3) to be borne, be carried 1b4) to be taken away, be carried off, be swept away 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to lift up, exalt, support, aid, assist 1c2) to desire, long (fig.) 1c3) to carry, bear continuously 1c4) to take, take away 1d) (Hithpael) to lift oneself up, exalt oneself 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to cause one to bear (iniquity) 1e2) to cause to bring, have brought

Usage: Occurs in 609 OT verses. KJV: accept, advance, arise, (able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up), bring (forth), burn, carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease, exact, exalt (self), extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further, give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable ([phrase] man), lade, lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, [idiom] needs, obtain, pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare, stir up, [phrase] swear, take (away, up), [idiom] utterly, wear, yield. See also: Genesis 4:13; Numbers 4:2; 1 Samuel 14:3.

וְ/שָׁפֵֽל shâphêl H8213 "to abase" Conj | V-Qal-3ms

To humble or abase oneself, to lower one's expectations or pride. In the Bible, it can mean to bring someone or something down, like in Proverbs 29:23, where a person's pride is humbled.

Definition: 1) to be or become low, sink, be humbled, be abased 1a) (Qal) to be or become low 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to lay or bring low, humiliate 1b2) to set in a lower place, show abasement 1b3) to make low, sit down

Usage: Occurs in 27 OT verses. KJV: abase, bring (cast, put) down, debase, humble (self), be (bring, lay, make, put) low(-er). See also: 1 Samuel 2:7; Isaiah 2:17; Psalms 18:28.

Study Notes — Isaiah 2:12

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Isaiah 2:12 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 2:12
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 2:12
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 2:12
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 2:12
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 2:12
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 2:12
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 2:12
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 2:12
Sermons on Isaiah 2:12

Context — The Day of Reckoning

10Go into the rocks and hide in the dust from the terror of the LORD and the splendor of His majesty. 11The proud look of man will be humbled, and the loftiness of men brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.

12For the Day of the LORD of Hosts will come against all the proud and lofty, against all that is exalted— it will be humbled—

13against all the cedars of Lebanon, lofty and lifted up, against all the oaks of Bashan, 14against all the tall mountains, against all the high hills,

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Malachi 4:1	“For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace, when all the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble; the day is coming when I will set them ablaze,” says the LORD of Hosts. “Not a root or branch will be left to them.”
2	Isaiah 23:9	The LORD of Hosts planned it, to defile all its glorious beauty, to disgrace all the renowned of the earth.
3	Proverbs 16:5	Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured that he will not go unpunished.
4	Luke 14:11	For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
5	Daniel 4:37	Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, for all His works are true and all His ways are just. And He is able to humble those who walk in pride.
6	Isaiah 24:4	The earth mourns and withers; the world languishes and fades; the exalted of the earth waste away.
7	Jeremiah 46:10	For that day belongs to the Lord GOD of Hosts, a day of vengeance against His foes. The sword will devour until it is satisfied, until it is quenched with their blood. For the Lord GOD of Hosts will hold a sacrifice in the land of the north by the River Euphrates.
8	Job 40:11–12	Unleash the fury of your wrath; look on every proud man and bring him low. Look on every proud man and humble him; trample the wicked where they stand.
9	Isaiah 13:6	Wail, for the Day of the LORD is near; it will come as destruction from the Almighty.
10	Isaiah 13:9	Behold, the Day of the LORD is coming— cruel, with fury and burning anger— to make the earth a desolation and to destroy the sinners within it.

Isaiah 2:12 Summary

Isaiah 2:12 tells us that God will one day judge everyone who is proud and thinks they are better than others. This means that anyone who has lifted themselves up against God will be brought low, as seen in Proverbs 29:23. On that day, God will show His power and glory, and everyone will know that He is the only true God (Isaiah 2:11). We can prepare for this day by humbling ourselves before God now, just like it says in 1 Peter 5:6, and recognizing our need for His mercy and forgiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Day of the LORD of Hosts mentioned in Isaiah 2:12?

The Day of the LORD of Hosts refers to a time of judgment and reckoning when God will intervene in human affairs, as seen in Isaiah 13:6 and Joel 2:31, to bring humility and repentance to those who have rebelled against Him.

Why will God come against the proud and lofty in Isaiah 2:12?

God will come against the proud and lofty because they have exalted themselves against Him, as stated in Proverbs 16:18, and He will not share His glory with anyone, according to Isaiah 42:8.

What does it mean for something to be humbled in Isaiah 2:12?

To be humbled means to be brought low and reduced to a state of humility, recognizing one's dependence on God, as seen in 1 Peter 5:6, where God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.

Is this verse only talking about individuals or also about systems and institutions?

While Isaiah 2:12 does mention the proud and lofty, the context of the surrounding verses, such as Isaiah 2:13-14, suggests that God's judgment will also extend to systems and institutions that have exalted themselves against Him, like the towering cedars and mountains.

Reflection Questions

What are some areas in my life where I may be exhibiting pride or loftiness, and how can I humble myself before God?
How does the promise of God's judgment on the proud and lofty in Isaiah 2:12 bring me comfort or conviction, and what should my response be?
In what ways can I, like the apostle Paul in Philippians 2:3, consider others better than myself and humble myself, even when it's difficult or uncomfortable?
What would it look like for me to 'hide in the dust' as mentioned in Isaiah 2:10, and recognize the terror of the Lord's majesty, as I consider the Day of the LORD of Hosts?

Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 2:12

For the day of the Lord of hosts,.... Which is peculiarly his, which he has fixed and appointed, and in which there will be a great display of the glory of his power and grace: this [shall be] upon

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 2:12

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: For the day of the Lord of hosts (shall be) upon every (one that is) proud.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 2:12

The day of the Lord; the time of God’ s taking vengeance upon sinners, which is called God’ s day, ,9 Ezekiel 13:5 30:3, and oft elsewhere.

Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 2:12

Isaiah 2:12 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:Ver. 12. For the day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud.] These he "knoweth afar off"; these he "resisteth" as it were in battle array; these he "casteth down to the ground." One of the seven wise men of Greece said that God made it his business to humble the proud, and to lift up the lowly.

Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 2:12

(12) The day of the Lord of hosts shall be . . .—Literally, the Lord of hosts hath a day . . . As generally in the prophets, any time of special judgment or special mercy is as “a day of Jehovah.” Man feels himself in the presence of a higher power, working in this way or in that for righteousness. The phrase. had been specially prominent in the mouth of Isaiah’s forerunner, Amos (8:9-13, 9:11). Upon every one that is proud and lofty . . .—The emphatic iteration of “lifted up” is noticeable as indicating that the prophet sees in that self-assertion the root-evil of his time, that which was most destructive of the fear of the Lord, and most surely brought down judgment on the offender. So the devout historian of Greece reads the teaching of the history which he tells. He saw the loftiest trees most exposed to the lightning-flash, the loftiest monarch most liable to the working of the Divine Nemesis (Herod., vii. 10).

Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 2:12

12–16. The conception, although in the highest degree poetic, is not allegorical. Trees, mountains, ships, &c. are not emblems of kings, magnates, commerce and the like; the destruction of all that is imposing and sublime in nature or art is itself the concrete expression of the idea that “the Lord alone shall be exalted.” The appearing of Jehovah is depicted under the imagery of the thunderstorm, an ancient symbol of the Theophany (cf. Judges 5:4 f.; Psalms 18:7-14; Psalms 18:29).

Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 2:12

The day ... - This expression evidently denotes that the Lord would inflict severe punishment upon every one that was lofty.

Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 2:12

12. The day, etc. — The solemn emphasis and reiteration given to these words are an intimation of some unusual event being about to occur. The shock of an earthquake, perhaps. See Isaiah 2:19.

Sermons on Isaiah 2:12

	Sermon	Description
	The Word of My Patience by Charles S. Price	Charles S. Price preaches about the darkness and confusion prevailing on earth due to humanity's desire for sovereignty and rejection of God. Despite the chaos, God's promise in De
	The Day of Jehovah by Arno Clemens Gaebelein	Arno Clemens Gaebelein preaches about the consistent prophecy throughout the Bible regarding the future day of Jehovah, a day of wrath, judgment, and the manifestation of God's glo
	The Great Master-Scar of the Soul by Thomas Brooks	Thomas Brooks emphasizes the destructive nature of pride in his sermon 'The Great Master-Scar of the Soul,' describing it as the root of all sin and a leprosy that cannot be concea
	A Cry Against the Wicked Youth of America by David Wilkerson	In this sermon, the preacher talks about a man, a Hebrew, who is running through the streets proclaiming that there are only 40 days left before everyone will die because of their
	Christless Pentecost - Part 2 by David Wilkerson	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the need for repentance and holiness in the church. He predicts a revival among young people and the downfall of drug abuse, alcoholism, and
	A Vision of the Latter-Day Glories by C.H. Spurgeon	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the unstoppable growth of the church and the gathering of all nations to worship God. He uses the imagery of a dry riverbed gradually fillin
	(Saved Through the Fire) 01 - the Path of True Salvation by Milton Green	In this sermon, the speaker begins by referencing Malachi 3:1, which speaks of the coming of John the Baptist as a messenger to prepare the way for Jesus Christ. The speaker emphas