Isaiah 2:9
Isaiah 2:9 in Multiple Translations
So mankind is brought low, and man is humbled— do not forgive them!
And the mean man boweth down, and the great man humbleth himself: therefore forgive them not.
And the mean man is bowed down, and the great man is brought low: therefore forgive them not.
And the poor man's head is bent, and the great man goes down on his face: for this cause there will be no forgiveness for their sin.
These people will be brought down and humiliated—Lord, don't forgive them!
And a man bowed himselfe, and a man humbled himselfe: therefore spare them not.
And the low boweth down, and the high is humbled, And Thou acceptest them not.
Man is brought low, and mankind is humbled; therefore don’t forgive them.
And the mean man boweth down, and the great man humbleth himself: therefore forgive them not.
And man hath bowed himself down, and man hath been debased: therefore forgive them not.
So now they will be humbled and they will be caused to become disgraced— Yahweh, do not forgive them!
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 2:9
BAB
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 2:9 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יִּשַּׁ֥ח
אָדָ֖ם
וַ/יִּשְׁפַּל
אִ֑ישׁ
וְ/אַל
תִּשָּׂ֖א
לָ/הֶֽם
וַ/יִּשַּׁ֥ח
shâchach
H7817
to bow
Conj | V-Niphal-ConsecImperf-3ms
אָדָ֖ם
ʼâdâm
H120
the man (Adam)
N-ms
וַ/יִּשְׁפַּל
shâphêl
H8213
to abase
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
אִ֑ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
man
N-ms
וְ/אַל
ʼal
H408
not
Conj | Part
תִּשָּׂ֖א
nâsâʼ
H5375
to lift
V-Qal-Juss-2ms
לָ/הֶֽם
Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 2:9
וַ/יִּשַּׁ֥ח
shâchach
H7817
"to bow"
Conj | V-Niphal-ConsecImperf-3ms
To bow down means to sink or depress oneself, often in humility or worship, as seen in the story of King David in 1 Samuel. It can also mean to crouch or be prostrated, like an animal in a lair, and is used to describe a range of emotions and postures.
Definition: 1) to bow, crouch, bow down, be bowed down 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be bowed down, be prostrated, be humbled 1a2) to bow (in homage) 1a3) to bow (of mourner) 1a4) to crouch (of wild beast in lair) 1b) (Niphal) to be prostrated, be humbled, be reduced, be weakened, proceed humbly, be bowed down 1c) (Hiphil) to prostrate, lay low, bow down 1d) (Hithpolel) to be cast down, be despairing
Usage: Occurs in 21 OT verses. KJV: bend, bow (down), bring (cast) down, couch, humble self, be (bring) low, stoop. See also: Job 9:13; Proverbs 14:19; Psalms 10:10.
אָדָ֖ם
ʼâdâm
H120
"the man (Adam)"
N-ms
Adam was the first human, created by God and mentioned in Genesis 2:19, who married Eve and had sons including Cain, Abel, and Seth.
Definition: The first named man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.2.19; married to Eve (H2332); father of: Cain (H7014B), Abel (H1893) and Seth (H8352); also translated "man" at Gen.2.19,21,23; 3.8,9,20; 5.2; "mankind" at Deu.32.8; "others" at Job.31.33; Another spelling of a.dam (אָדָם "Adam" H0121) man, human being
Usage: Occurs in 526 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, [phrase] common sort, [idiom] low, man (mean, of low degree), person. See also: Genesis 1:26; Judges 18:7; Psalms 8:5.
וַ/יִּשְׁפַּל
shâphêl
H8213
"to abase"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-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.
אִ֑ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
וְ/אַל
ʼal
H408
"not"
Conj | Part
Means not or nothing, used to express negation, as in the phrase do not or let not be.
Definition: 1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference) 1a) do not, let not (with a verb) 1b) let there not be (with a verb understood) 1c) not, no (with substantive) 1d) nothing (as substantive) Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)
Usage: Occurs in 572 OT verses. KJV: nay, neither, [phrase] never, no, nor, not, nothing (worth), rather than. See also: Genesis 13:8; Joshua 11:6; 1 Chronicles 22:13.
תִּשָּׂ֖א
nâsâʼ
H5375
"to lift"
V-Qal-Juss-2ms
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.
לָ/הֶֽם
""
Prep | Suff
Study Notes — Isaiah 2:9
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 2:9 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 2:9
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 2:9
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 2:9
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 2:9
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 2:9
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 2:9
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 2:9
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 2:9
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 2:9
- Sermons on Isaiah 2:9
Context — The Day of Reckoning
7Their land is full of silver and gold, with no limit to their treasures; their land is full of horses, with no limit to their chariots.
8Their land is full of idols; they bow down to the work of their hands, to what their fingers have made.
9So mankind is brought low, and man is humbled— do not forgive them!
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.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 5:15 | So mankind will be brought low, and each man humbled; the arrogant will lower their eyes. |
| 2 | Joshua 24:19 | But Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve the LORD, for He is a holy God; He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your rebellion or your sins. |
| 3 | Romans 3:23 | for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, |
| 4 | Nehemiah 4:5 | Do not cover up their iniquity or let their sin be blotted out from Your sight, for they have provoked the builders. |
| 5 | Mark 3:29 | But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of eternal sin.” |
| 6 | Jeremiah 18:23 | But You, O LORD, know all their deadly plots against me. Do not wipe out their guilt or blot out their sin from Your sight. Let them be overthrown before You; deal with them in the time of Your anger. |
| 7 | Isaiah 27:11 | When its limbs are dry, they are broken off. Women come and use them for kindling; for this is a people without understanding. Therefore their Maker has no compassion on them, and their Creator shows them no favor. |
| 8 | Colossians 2:23 | Such restrictions indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-prescribed worship, their false humility, and their harsh treatment of the body; but they are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh. |
| 9 | Isaiah 57:9 | You went to Molech with oil and multiplied your perfumes. You have sent your envoys a great distance; you have descended even to Sheol itself. |
| 10 | Psalms 62:9 | Lowborn men are but a vapor, the exalted but a lie. Weighed on the scale, they go up; together they are but a vapor. |
Isaiah 2:9 Summary
[This verse is saying that because people have turned away from God and trusted in their own strength and creations, they will be brought low and humbled. This is not a punishment for its own sake, but rather a call to repentance and a reminder that God is the one true Lord of all, as seen in Isaiah 46:9-10. We can learn from this verse the importance of humility and recognizing our need for God's mercy and forgiveness, as described in Matthew 5:3-4 and 1 Peter 5:6-7.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for mankind to be brought low and humbled in Isaiah 2:9?
This means that God is going to humble those who are proud and self-reliant, bringing them to a place of recognition of their sin and need for Him, as seen in Isaiah 66:2 and Proverbs 29:23.
Why does the verse say 'do not forgive them'?
This phrase is a expression of God's judgment on those who have refused to acknowledge and worship Him, instead choosing to idolize and trust in their own creations, as warned in Deuteronomy 29:18-20 and Romans 1:21-25.
Is this verse talking about every person, or just certain individuals?
The context suggests that it is speaking of those who have willfully rejected God and chosen to follow after idols, as described in Isaiah 2:8, and thus will face God's judgment, as seen in Psalm 9:17 and Revelation 20:12-15.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the chapter?
Isaiah 2:9 is part of a larger section describing God's judgment on Judah for their idolatry and pride, and serves as a warning to turn back to Him before it's too late, as seen in Isaiah 2:10-11 and echoed in Isaiah 55:6-7.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I may be trusting in my own strength or creations, rather than God, and how can I repent of this?
- How can I cultivate a humble heart, recognizing my dependence on God and my need for His forgiveness and mercy?
- What are some idols in my life that I need to surrender to God, and how can I replace them with a deeper love and devotion to Him?
- In what ways can I be a witness to others of God's love and mercy, and call them to turn back to Him before His judgment falls?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 2:9
And the mean man boweth down, and the great man humbleth himself,.... Both high and low, rich and poor, bow down unto, humble themselves before, and worship idols made by the hands of men: the words
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 2:9
And the mean man boweth down, and the great man humbleth himself: therefore forgive them not. The mean man - in rank; not morally base: opposed "to the great man." The former is in Hebrew 'aadaam (H120); the latter, 'iysh (H376).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 2:9
The mean man boweth down, and the great man humbleth himself; men of all ranks fall down and worship idols. Forgive them not; cut off these incorrigible idolaters. Such an imprecation is not strange, considering the heinousness and inexcusableness of the crime, the singular condition of the prophets, who spake such things not from any disorderly passion, but by Divine inspiration, and from a fervent zeal for God’ s glory, which ever was and ought to be dearer to them than all the interests of men, and from a pious care and fear lest others should be infected by their counsel or example. Yet the words may be taken as a prediction, Thou wilt not forgive them; by this I know thou hast determined utterly to destroy them; for the Hebrew particle al is sometimes taken only for a simple denial, as .
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 2:9
Isaiah 2:9 And the mean man boweth down, and the great man humbleth himself: therefore forgive them not.Ver. 9. And the mean man boweth down.] There is a general conspiracy, and they are altogether become abominable. Lords and lowlies, kings and captives, all sorts were idolaters. Some render it, "Shall be brought down, and shall be humbled." God loveth to retaliate, to abate and abase man’ s pride, by pulling down whatsoever height or strength they confide in. Therefore forgive them not.] A pious prayer doubtless, proceeding from true zeal, which is an extreme heat of all the affections for God’ s glory. Ut pius sit in Deum, durus sit in proximum, saith Oecolampadius. Like another Elias he maketh intercession to God against Israel, whom he saw to be incorrigible, and their sin to be irremissible, their judgment unavoidable.
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 2:9
(9) And the mean man boweth down.—The English gives adequately the significance of the two words for “man”—in Hebrew, adam and îsh. The Authorised Version applies the words to the prostrations of the worshippers of idols, whether of low or high degree; others refer them to the punishment of that idolatry: The mean man must be bowed down . . . the great man must be humbled.Therefore forgive them not.—As a prayer the words find a parallel in Psalms 69:27; Psalms 109:14, but the rendering adopted by Cheyne and others, And thou canst not forgive them, is perhaps preferable. The sin is treated as “a sin unto death,” for which it is vain to pray (Isaiah 22:14).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 2:9
Verse 9. Boweth down - "Shall be bowed down"] This has reference to the preceding verse. They bowed themselves down to their idols, therefore shall they be bowed down and brought low under the avenging hand of God. Therefore forgive them not.] "And thou wilt not forgive them." - L.
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 2:9
9. boweth down … humbleth himself] If this be the right translation, the reference must be to the degradation of human dignity involved in idolatry and superstition, a thought not unworthy of Isaiah. It is more probable, however (see ch. Isaiah 5:15), that the words refer to the judgment at hand, which is as certain as if it had already taken place. So R.V. is bowed down … is brought low. The verbs may be understood either in a reflexive or a passive sense. mean man … great man] In the original the contrast is expressed by two words for “man,” corresponding to homo and vir in Latin, Mensch and Mann in German, &c. Sometimes, as here, the distinction is emphasised so as to mark a contrast (Psalms 49:2). therefore forgive them not] Or, and thou canst (or wilt) not forgive them. The verbal form employed in the Heb. (jussive) properly expresses the will or desire of the speaker (as E.V.), but in negative sentences it “sometimes expresses merely the subjective feeling and sympathy of the speaker with the act” (Davidson, Synt. § 128, R. 2).
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 2:9
And the mean man - That is, the man in humble life, the poor, the low in rank - for this is all that the Hebrew word here - אדם 'âdâm - implies.
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 2:9
9. Mean man… great man — All classes, both common people and the upper ranks, were involved in this kind of idolatry — that is, in harbouring household penates and the like.
Sermons on Isaiah 2:9
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Hosea #4 Ch. 6 a Cake Not Turned by Chuck Missler | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the book of Hosea, specifically chapter 6. He mentions that Hosea tends to shift subjects suddenly, so the first three verses of chapter 6 m |
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Ability and Inability by Charles Finney | Charles Finney addresses the concepts of ability and inability in relation to obeying God's law, arguing that the distinctions made by various philosophers and theologians are nons |
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The True Service of God by Charles Finney | Charles Finney emphasizes the distinction between legal and gospel service to God, arguing that true service arises from a heart transformed by holiness and benevolence. He explain |
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Our Daily Homily - Joshua by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer emphasizes the necessity of claiming our spiritual inheritance in Christ, drawing parallels between the Israelites' conquest of Canaan and the believer's appropriation o |
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To His Parents by George Fox | Greek Word Studies for an aid_number 34617 preaches on the concept of 'Possession' as described in Titus 2:14, where believers are depicted as Christ's costly possession and distin |
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Crusade 1957 by Billy Graham | This sermon emphasizes the importance of examining and surrendering our hearts to God. It delves into the sinful, wicked, rebellious, and hardened nature of the human heart, highli |
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(The Glory of God) in Motivation by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of preaching about God's glory rather than focusing on principles and rules. He criticizes the tendency of pastors to manipula |