King James Version

What Does Isaiah 26:11 Mean?

Isaiah 26:11 in the King James Version says “LORD, when thy hand is lifted up, they will not see: but they shall see, and be ashamed for their envy at the people; ye...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“LORD, when thy hand is lifted up, they will not see: but they shall see, and be ashamed for their envy at the people; yea, the fire of thine enemies shall devour them. at: or, toward thy people”

Isaiah 26:11 · KJV

Context

9

With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.

10

Let favour be shewed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the LORD.

11

LORD, when thy hand is lifted up, they will not see: but they shall see, and be ashamed for their envy at the people; yea, the fire of thine enemies shall devour them. at: or, toward thy people

12

LORD, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought all our works in us. in us: or, for us

13

O LORD our God, other lords beside thee have had dominion over us: but by thee only will we make mention of thy name.

Read Isaiah 26 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
"LORD, when thy hand is lifted up, they will not see: but they shall see, and be ashamed for their envy at the people; yea, the fire of thine enemies shall devour them." This verse continues the theme of willful blindness receiving ultimate judgment. "LORD, when thy hand is lifted up, they will not see" (יְהוָה רָמָה יָדְךָ בַּל־יֶחֱזָיוּן/YHWH ramah yadkha bal-yechezyun)—ramah yadkha means "Your hand is lifted up," signifying God's power raised for action, either to strike in judgment or deliver His people. Bal-yechezyun (they will not see) indicates willful blindness to God's obvious activity. Even when God's hand is visibly raised, the wicked refuse to acknowledge His work.

"But they shall see, and be ashamed" (יֶחֱזוּ וְיֵבֹשׁוּ/yechezu veyevoshu)—eventually their blindness will be overcome. Yechezu (they shall see) uses the same verb, but now forced seeing rather than willful blindness. Veyevoshu (and be ashamed) means to be put to shame, confounded, disappointed, humiliated. What they refused to see voluntarily, they will see involuntarily and be ashamed. "For their envy at the people" (קִנְאַת עָם/qin'at am)—qin'at means jealousy, envy, zeal. They envied God's people, resented God's favor toward them, and opposed His purposes.

"Yea, the fire of thine enemies shall devour them" (אַף־אֵשׁ צָרֶיךָ תֹאכְלֵם/af-esh tzareykha tokhlem)—af (yea, indeed) emphasizes what follows. Esh (fire) represents God's consuming judgment. Tzareykha (Your enemies) identifies them by their hostility to God. Tokhlem (shall devour them) uses the verb "to eat, consume, destroy utterly." The fire prepared for God's enemies will consume those enemies themselves—a grim irony of self-destructive rebellion.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Throughout Israel's history, enemies who opposed God's people ultimately faced divine judgment—Egypt, Assyria, Babylon. Each empire that lifted itself against God was brought down. This pattern continues through church history—persecuting powers eventually fall while the church survives. The verse anticipates final judgment when every knee will bow and every tongue confess Christ's lordship (Philippians 2:10-11), including those who refused to see His majesty. Revelation 20:15 describes the lake of fire consuming God's enemies. What begins as willful blindness ends in forced recognition too late for repentance.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it reveal about human depravity that people can refuse to see God's hand even when 'lifted up' in obvious action?
  2. How should the certainty of eventual forced recognition and shame motivate evangelism and warning?
  3. What is the relationship between envy of God's people and opposition to God Himself?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
יְהוָ֛ה1 of 13

“LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

רָ֥מָה2 of 13

“is lifted up”

H7311

to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)

יָדְךָ֖3 of 13

“when thy hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

בַּל4 of 13
H1077

properly, a failure; by implication nothing; usually (adverb) not at all; also lest

יֶחֱז֤וּ5 of 13

“but they shall see”

H2372

to gaze at; mentally to perceive, contemplate (with pleasure); specifically, to have a vision of

יֶחֱז֤וּ6 of 13

“but they shall see”

H2372

to gaze at; mentally to perceive, contemplate (with pleasure); specifically, to have a vision of

וְיֵבֹ֙שׁוּ֙7 of 13

“and be ashamed”

H954

properly, to pale, i.e., by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be disappointed or delayed

קִנְאַת8 of 13

“for their envy”

H7068

jealousy or envy

עָ֔ם9 of 13

“at the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

אַף10 of 13
H637

meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though

אֵ֖שׁ11 of 13

“yea the fire”

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

צָרֶ֥יךָ12 of 13

“of thine enemies”

H6862

a pebble (as in h6864)

תֹאכְלֵֽם׃13 of 13

“shall devour”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 26:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 26:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hebrews 10:27Isaiah 5:24Micah 5:9Revelation 3:91 Samuel 5:6-11Psalms 86:17

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