The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.

ISAIAH 2:11KJV
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Isaiah 2:11 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 2:11 mean?

Isaiah 2:11 describes a day when human pride will be brought low and the LORD alone will be honored above all. The verse presents a reversal: people who regard themselves as great will no longer occupy the high place they claim.

“Lofty looks” pictures pride in a person’s eyes and bearing. After the call to hide from the LORD’s fearful presence in verse 10, Isaiah describes what that encounter means for people’s claims to greatness.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 2:11

  • “looks” — עַיִן (ʿayin): This word can mean “eye.” Joined with “lofty,” the image suggests eyes raised in pride, giving a visible picture of an inward attitude.
  • “LORD” — יְהוָה (YHWH): This is God’s personal name in Hebrew. The KJV prints “LORD” in capitals to distinguish the name from an ordinary title.
  • “exalted” — שָׂגַב (sagav): This word carries the sense of being high or lifted up. Its use here sharpens the contrast between the LORD’s high place and the lowering of human pride.

Why Isaiah 2:11 matters

  • Isaiah’s words reach beyond one proud person. “Man” and “men” make the warning broad, while “alone” gives the LORD a place no human shares.
  • “In that day” points forward to the time described in the surrounding passage. Verse 12 calls it “the day of the LORD of hosts” and says it will come upon all that is proud and lofty.
  • Pride is not pictured only in human faces. The following verses also name towering cedars, high mountains, and lofty towers, extending the image of height across the landscape and human building.

Where else these words appear

“lofty” Hebrew H1365 · used in 2 verses

  • Isaiah 2:17 And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.

“haughtiness” Hebrew H7312 · used in 6 verses

  • Proverbs 21:4 An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.
  • Proverbs 25:3 The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
  • Isaiah 10:12 Wherefore it shall come to pass, that when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks.

“exalted” Hebrew H7682 · used in 20 verses

  • Deuteronomy 2:36 From Aroer, which is by the brink of the river of Arnon, and from the city that is by the river, even unto Gilead, there was not one city too strong for us: the LORD our God delivered all unto us:
  • Psalms 91:14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
  • Proverbs 29:25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

“down” Hebrew H7817 · used in 21 verses

  • Job 9:13 If God will not withdraw his anger, the proud helpers do stoop under him.
  • Psalms 42:6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.
  • Isaiah 2:17 And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.