Bible Strands
Isaiah 26:6
Feet trample it down—the feet of the oppressed, the steps of the poor.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The prophet addresses Israel during a period of national crisis and divine judgment. The statement follows God's declaration of crushing the proud city in Isaiah 26:5 and immediately precedes the description of the upright path in Isaiah 26:7.
The words — The Hebrew verb תִּרְמֶסֶנָּה (tir.me.se.nah) translates literally as "it will trample," directly modifying רַגְלֵי עָנִי (rag.lei 'a.ni), "the feet of the afflicted." The text states that the lowly will reduce the fallen city to dust before describing the level path for the righteous.
The thread — The trampling motif originates in Isaiah 26:5, where God casts the arrogant city into the dust. Similar imagery of feet treading under divine authority appears in Luke 10:19 and Romans 16:20.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to acknowledge that human arrogance is subject to reversal and that God's justice aligns with the marginalized. It calls for a practical rejection of pride and a commitment to walking the straight path described in the surrounding context.
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
The foot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy.
Cross-references
- Luke 10:19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you.
- Romans 16:20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
- Revelation 2:26 And to the one who overcomes and continues in My work until the end, I will give authority over the nations.
- Joshua 10:24 When they had brought the kings to Joshua, he summoned all the men of Israel and said to the army commanders who had accompanied him, “Come here and put your feet on the necks of these kings.” So the commanders came forward and put their feet on their necks.
- James 2:5 Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him?
- Isaiah 3:15 Why do you crush My people and grind the faces of the poor?” declares the Lord GOD of Hosts.
- Isaiah 25:10 For the hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain. But Moab will be trampled in his place as straw is trodden into the dung pile.
- Isaiah 37:25 I have dug wells and drunk foreign waters. With the soles of my feet I have dried up all the streams of Egypt.”
- Isaiah 60:14 The sons of your oppressors will come and bow down to you; all who reviled you will fall facedown at your feet and call you the City of the LORD, Zion of the Holy One of Israel.
- Jeremiah 50:45 Therefore hear the plans that the LORD has drawn up against Babylon and the strategies He has devised against the land of the Chaldeans: Surely the little ones of the flock will be dragged away; certainly their pasture will be made desolate because of them.