Bible Strands
Isaiah 2:9
So mankind is brought low, and man is humbled—do not forgive them!
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The prophet addresses Israel regarding their idolatry, declaring judgment immediately after describing their worship of idols in Isaiah 2:8 and just before calling them to hide from the terror of the LORD in Isaiah 2:10.
The words — The text uses אָדָ֖ם ('a.Dam) for "everyone" alongside וַ/יִּשַּׁ֥ח (va/i.yi.Shach) for "he has been humbled," and pairs וְ/אַל\־ (ve./'al-) with תִּשָּׂ֖א (ti.Sa') to form the command "do not forgive them."
The thread — This theme of humbled humanity appears in Isaiah 5:15, while the refusal to pardon runs parallel to the plea in Nehemiah 4:5 and the warning in Joshua 24:19.
Why it lands — The text states that human pride collapses under divine judgment and that God will not pardon the idolatrous, demanding readers acknowledge their absolute need for humility before a holy God.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And the mean man boweth down, and the great man humbleth himself: therefore forgive them not.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 5:15 So mankind will be brought low, and each man humbled; the arrogant will lower their eyes.
- Joshua 24:19 But Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve the LORD, for He is a holy God; He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your rebellion or your sins.
- Nehemiah 4:5 Do not cover up their iniquity or let their sin be blotted out from Your sight, for they have provoked the builders.
- Isaiah 27:11 When its limbs are dry, they are broken off. Women come and use them for kindling; for this is a people without understanding. Therefore their Maker has no compassion on them, and their Creator shows them no favor.
- Jeremiah 18:23 But You, O LORD, know all their deadly plots against me. Do not wipe out their guilt or blot out their sin from Your sight. Let them be overthrown before You; deal with them in the time of Your anger.
- Mark 3:29 But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of eternal sin.”
- Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
- Psalms 49:2 both low and high, rich and poor alike.
- Psalms 62:9 Lowborn men are but a vapor; the exalted are but a lie. Weighed on the scale, they go up; together they are but a vapor.
- Isaiah 57:9 You went to Molech with oil and multiplied your perfumes. You have sent your envoys a great distance; you have descended even to Sheol itself.