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Isaiah 5:15

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 5:15 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And the mean man is bowed down, and the great man is humbled, and the eyes of the lofty are humbled:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And the mean man is bowed down, and the great man is humbled, and the eyes of the lofty are humbled:
Isaiah 5:15 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 5

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
12And the harp and the lute, the tabret and the pipe, and wine, are [in] their feasts; but they regard not the work of Jehovah, neither have they considered the operation of his hands.
13Therefore my people are gone into captivity for lack of knowledge; and their honorable men are famished, and their multitude are parched with thirst.
14Therefore Sheol hath enlarged its desire, and opened its mouth without measure; and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth among them, descend [into it].
15And the mean man is bowed down, and the great man is humbled, and the eyes of the lofty are humbled:
16but Jehovah of hosts is exalted in justice, and God the Holy One is sanctified in righteousness.
17Then shall the lambs feed as in their pasture, and the waste places of the fat ones shall wanderers eat.
18Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of falsehood, and sin as it were with a cart rope;
← Isaiah 5:14Isaiah 5:16 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the mean man shall be brought down, &c.] To hell, or the grave, as well as the rich and noble: and the mighty man shall be humbled; laid low in the dust, and be equal to the poor; for, in the grave, princes and peasants are alike; or they shall be all alike, in the same low and miserable condition: and the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled; when famine and distress, ruin and misery, come upon them, then shall the pride of those be abased, as it was; who boasted of their riches and honour, of their descent and parentage, as the children of Abraham, and as being free men, and never in bondage; of their righteousness and good works; not submitting to the righteousness of Christ; but…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“(Compare Isa 2:9, Isa 2:11, Isa 2:17). All ranks, "mean" and "mighty" alike; so "honorable" and "multitude" (Isa 5:13).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And the mean man ... the mighty man - The expressions here mean that “all” ranks would be subdued and punished; see the note at Isaiah 2:9. The eyes of the lofty ... - see Isaiah 2:11, note; Isaiah 2:17, note. Shall be exalted in judgment - In his justice; he shall so manifest his justice as to be exalted in the view of tbe people. Shall be sanctified - Shall be “regarded” as holy. He shall so manifest his righteousness in his dealings, that it shall be seen and felt that he is a holy God. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“The mighty - All of them, both high and low, shall be brought to destruction. Isaiah 5:16”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the mean: Isa 2:9, Isa 2:11, Isa 2:17, Isa 9:14-17, Isa 24:2-4; Psa 62:9; Jer 5:4, Jer 5:5, Jer 5:9; Jam 1:9-11; Rev 6:15, Rev 6:16 the eyes: Isa 10:12, Isa 13:11, Isa 37:23, Isa 37:29; Exo 9:17; Job 40:11, Job 40:12; Dan 4:37; Pe1 5:5 Isaiah 5:16”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“The prophet now repeats a thought which formed one of the refrains of the second prophetic address ( Isa 2:9, Isa 2:11, cf., Isa 2:17). It acquires here a still deeper sense, from the context in which it stands. "Then are mean men bowed down, and lords humbled, and the eyes of lofty men are humbled. And Jehovah of hosts shows Himself exalted in judgment, and God the Holy One sanctifies Himself in righteousness." That which had exalted itself from earth to heaven, would be cast down earthwards into hell. The consecutive futures depict the coming events, which are here represented as historically present, as the direct sequel of what is also represented as present in Isa 5:14 : Hades opens,…”
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Related study paths

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