And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.

ISAIAH 13:11KJV
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Isaiah 13:11 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 13:11 mean?

Isaiah 13:11 describes God declaring that He will punish the whole world for its evil and the wicked for their wrongdoing, putting an end to the arrogance of the proud and bringing down those who act with haughty cruelty. The verse emphasizes a sweeping judgment that targets both general evil and specific attitudes of pride and oppression.

In this passage, the prophet Isaiah is speaking God’s message to the people, warning of a coming judgment not just on Babylon (the immediate context) but on the wider world. The verse highlights that God’s justice addresses both actions (“evil” and “iniquity”) and attitudes (“arrogancy” and “haughtiness”), showing that pride and cruelty are singled out alongside general wickedness.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 13:11

  • עָלֵם (ʿolam, H8398) — translated “world,” this word often means the whole inhabited earth, showing that the judgment described is not limited to one nation but is global in scope.
  • רָע (raʿ, H7451) — translated “evil,” this word covers a broad range of moral wrongs, not just specific crimes, indicating that God’s punishment is for all kinds of wrongdoing.
  • גַּאֲוָה (ga’avah, H1347) — “arrogancy,” this word points to a sense of self-exaltation or pride, suggesting that God’s judgment is especially aimed at those who lift themselves up above others.
  • גֵּאוֹן (ge’on, H1346) — “haughtiness,” closely related to “arrogancy,” but with a nuance of lofty pride or a sense of superiority, reinforcing the focus on attitudes as well as actions.

Why Isaiah 13:11 matters

  • Isaiah 13:11 clarifies that God’s judgment is not just about punishing outward actions but also addresses inner attitudes like pride and arrogance, which might otherwise be overlooked.
  • The verse connects the judgment on Babylon to a larger theme of God holding all nations and peoples accountable, not just Israel’s immediate enemies.
  • By pairing “evil” and “iniquity” with “arrogancy” and “haughtiness,” Isaiah 13:11 shows that God’s justice is thorough, targeting both the visible and hidden roots of wrongdoing.

Where else these words appear

“proud” Hebrew H2086 · used in 13 verses

  • Psalms 19:13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
  • Psalms 119:69 The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.
  • Proverbs 21:24 Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.

“haughtiness” Hebrew H1346 · used in 19 verses

  • Deuteronomy 33:26 There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky.
  • Psalms 36:11 Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me.
  • Isaiah 9:9 And all the people shall know, even Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria, that say in the pride and stoutness of heart,

“terrible” Hebrew H6184 · used in 20 verses

  • Job 6:23 Or, Deliver me from the enemy's hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty?
  • Proverbs 11:16 A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.
  • Isaiah 49:25 But thus saith the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.

“low” Hebrew H8213 · used in 27 verses

  • 1 Samuel 2:7 The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.
  • Proverbs 25:7 For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.
  • Isaiah 25:12 And the fortress of the high fort of thy walls shall he bring down, lay low, and bring to the ground, even to the dust.