The Meaning of Isaiah 2:9 Explained

Isaiah 2:9

KJV: And the mean man boweth down, and the great man humbleth himself: therefore forgive them not.

YLT: And the low boweth down, and the high is humbled, And Thou acceptest them not.

Darby: And the mean man shall be bowed down, and the great man shall be brought low: and do not thou forgive them!

ASV: And the mean man is bowed down, and the great man is brought low: therefore forgive them not.

Discover Isaiah 2:9

CONTEXT: What is the Context of Isaiah 2:9?

MEANING: What does Isaiah 2:9 Mean?

WORDS: What do the individual words in Isaiah 2:9 mean?

RELATIONS: What do the major concepts mean in Isaiah 2:9?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And the mean man  boweth down,  and the great man  humbleth  himself: therefore forgive  them not. 

What does Isaiah 2:9 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Glorifying created things rather than the Creator results in the humiliation and abasement of those who do these things (cf. Romans 1). Forgiveness is unthinkable when people do these things ( Isaiah 2:9; cf. Exodus 34:7). "Do not forgive them" is an idiom meaning "for sure you will not forgive them." [1] Isaiah was not asking God to refrain from forgiving His people.
"A major motif in OT theology is here (and in Isaiah 2:11-22): pride and ambition are humanity"s besetting and most devastating sins. Idolatry is seen as an expression of this drive by which man seeks to exalt himself." [2]

Context Summary

Isaiah 2:1-11 - A Vision Of World Peace
This and the four following chapters must be classed together as a distinct portion of this book, belonging to the earliest years of Isaiah's ministry. Their date is 735 b.c.; about the time of the accession of Ahaz to the throne. Isaiah 2:2-4 are evidently an ancient prophecy by some unknown seer, for Micah also quotes it. This section presents a fair vision of the future, when the beloved city must become the center of the religious life of the world, the seat of the theocracy, the burning nucleus of a reign of love and peace. We cherish this ancient prophecy as our guiding star in the present storm. But it can be realized only when the Son of God, riding forth on His white horse, has subdued His enemies. Then Revelation 21:1-27 and Revelation 22:1-21 will fulfill this ancient dream. The contrast between the ideal city and the actual is terrible, Isaiah 2:6-9. But let us not despair. The exalted Lord, from the right hand of power, is hastening the coming of the day of God. [source]

Chapter Summary: Isaiah 2

1  Isaiah prophesies the coming of Christ's kingdom
6  Wickedness is the cause of God's forsaking
10  He exhorts to fear, because of the powerful effects of God's majesty

What do the individual words in Isaiah 2:9 mean?

And bow down People and humbles himself each man therefore not do forgive them
וַיִּשַּׁ֥ח אָדָ֖ם וַיִּשְׁפַּל־ אִ֑ישׁ וְאַל־ תִּשָּׂ֖א לָהֶֽם

וַיִּשַּׁ֥ח  And  bow  down 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Nifal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: שָׁחַח 
Sense: to bow, crouch, bow down, be bowed down.
אָדָ֖ם  People 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: אָדָם 
Sense: man, mankind.
וַיִּשְׁפַּל־  and  humbles  himself 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: שָׁפֵל  
Sense: to be or become low, sink, be humbled, be abased.
אִ֑ישׁ  each  man 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: אִישׁ 
Sense: man.
וְאַל־  therefore  not 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adverb
Root: אַל  
Sense: not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference).
תִּשָּׂ֖א  do  forgive 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: נָשָׂא  
Sense: to lift, bear up, carry, take.

What are the major concepts related to Isaiah 2:9?

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Similar Scriptures for Isaiah 2:9

Isaiah 5:15 [5]
Psalms 49:2 [3]
Colossians 2:23 [2]
Joshua 24:19 [2]
Jeremiah 5:4-5 [2]
Isaiah 57:9 [2]
Psalms 62:9 [2]
Colossians 2:18 [2]
Jeremiah 18:23 [2]
Nehemiah 4:5 [2]
Romans 3:23 [2]
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