King James Version

What Does Isaiah 5:15 Mean?

Isaiah 5:15 in the King James Version says “And the mean man shall be brought down, and the mighty man shall be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled:” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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 5:15 · KJV

Context

13

Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst. honourable: Heb. glory are men of famine

14

Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.

15

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

16

But the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness. God: or, the holy God: Heb. the God the holy

17

Then shall the lambs feed after their manner, and the waste places of the fat ones shall strangers eat.

Read Isaiah 5 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Echoing 2:9, 11, 17, the promise that 'the mean man shall be brought down' and 'the mighty man shall be humbled' reiterates judgment's leveling effect. The phrase 'the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled' emphasizes pride's universal subjection to divine authority. This pattern—human exaltation brought low, divine glory exalted—pervades Scripture, anticipating Mary's Magnificat (Luke 1:52) and James' teaching that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Social hierarchy that exalted some while oppressing others would be dismantled through exile. Judgment functioned as great equalizer, demonstrating that covenant standing, not social status, ultimately matters.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the certainty of all human pride being humbled inform present pursuit of humility?
  2. What 'lofty eyes' in our culture will inevitably face divine humbling?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 7 words
וַיִּשַּׁ֥ח1 of 7

“shall be brought down”

H7817

to sink or depress (reflexive or causative)

אָדָ֖ם2 of 7

“And the mean man”

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

תִּשְׁפַּֽלְנָה׃3 of 7

“shall be humbled”

H8213

to depress or sink (especially figuratively, to humiliate, intransitive or transitive)

אִ֑ישׁ4 of 7

“and the mighty man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

וְעֵינֵ֥י5 of 7

“and the eyes”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

גְבֹהִ֖ים6 of 7

“of the lofty”

H1364

elevated (or elated), powerful, arrogant

תִּשְׁפַּֽלְנָה׃7 of 7

“shall be humbled”

H8213

to depress or sink (especially figuratively, to humiliate, intransitive or transitive)

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 5:15 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 5:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 2:11Isaiah 2:9Jeremiah 5:4-5Psalms 62:9Job 40:11-12Isaiah 13:11

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