And the mean man shall be brought down, and the mighty man shall be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled:

ISAIAH 5:15KJV
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Isaiah 5:15 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 5:15 mean?

Isaiah 5:15 says that both ordinary people and powerful leaders will be brought low and humbled, and even those who think highly of themselves will be made humble. The verse shows that no one is above being humbled when God brings judgment.

The prophet Isaiah is speaking to the people of Judah, warning them about the consequences of their pride and injustice. In this part of his message, Isaiah makes it clear that social status or self-importance will not protect anyone from being humbled when God acts. The verse is part of a larger warning about the coming judgment on a nation that has turned away from what is right.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 5:15

  • The word for "man" used first is אָדָם (adam), which often means a human being in a general sense, emphasizing the common person. This highlights that even everyday people are not exempt from being brought down.
  • The second "man" is אִישׁ (ish), which can mean a man of distinction or an individual, sometimes with a sense of someone important. This shows that both the lowly and the mighty are included.
  • The word for "down" is שָׁפַל (shaphal), meaning to be brought low or humbled. It carries the idea of being lowered from a place of pride or status.
  • "Humbled" is שָׁחַח (shachach), which also means to be bowed down or humbled, reinforcing the theme of humiliation or loss of status.
  • "Eyes" is עֵינַיִם (eynayim), and "lofty" is רָם (ram), meaning high or exalted. The phrase "eyes of the lofty" refers to people who look down on others or see themselves as above others, and the verse says even their pride will be brought down.

Why Isaiah 5:15 matters

  • Isaiah 5:15 makes it clear that God's judgment is impartial; both the humble and the proud, the ordinary and the powerful, will be humbled if they act wrongly.
  • The verse challenges the idea that social rank or self-importance can protect someone from consequences, which would have been a strong message in a society with clear class divisions.
  • This verse fits into Isaiah's larger warning that pride and injustice will not go unnoticed, and it prepares the reader for the coming statements about God's justice and righteousness.

Where else these words appear

“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 2:11 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.

“humbled” 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.

“lofty” Hebrew H1364 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 7:19 And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered.
  • Job 41:34 He beholdeth all high things: he is a king over all the children of pride.
  • Jeremiah 2:20 For of old time I have broken thy yoke, and burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will not transgress; when upon every high hill and under every green tree thou wanderest, playing the harlot.