This verse repeats the two key verbs “brought low” and “humbled” from verse 9. They occur here in reverse order to form the chiasmus that marks verses 9-11 as a unit. In contrast to the downfall of human beings, Yahweh will be exalted. This whole verse is repeated in verse 17, with some minor variations that are evident in most English translations.

The haughty looks of man describes the proud way in which a person may look at others. As in verse 9, the Hebrew word for man is the generic term for all human beings. The Hebrew text is literally “The eyes of arrogance of a person,” so it refers to a haughty attitude expressed through a person’s eyes. Instead of focusing on the idiom of haughty eyes, translators may do well to focus on the person who looks that way. Bible en français courant translates “The person with the haughty look.” Good News Translation is rather abstract with “human pride.”

Shall be brought low is a literal rendering. As in the next line, the prophet says the haughty and proud person will be made humble. This metaphor of being made low expresses the reversal of the previous haughty look. When proud people are humbled, they will have downcast eyes that show embarrassment, lack of self-confidence, and shame.

And the pride of men shall be humbled is parallel to the previous line. Translators should find a way to render these near synonymous lines with style, variation and insight.

The verbs in both these lines are passive. The context makes it obvious that Yahweh will humble the proud people, though probably through a human agent. Translators may refer to Yahweh as the subject if active verbs are required (see the second example below).

And the LORD alone will be exalted in that day: This line continues the metaphor based on height. In contrast to the downfall of human pride and arrogance, Yahweh will be exalted. He is the only one who deserves such a high honor and who is worthy to receive praise and compliments. The LORD alone will be exalted is literally “Yahweh alone will be in a high place.” The people’s pride and arrogance will be gone, but the LORD will be in a place of honor. Will be exalted is another passive verb. We may say “Yahweh will exalt himself.” This is one of the meanings of the Hebrew verb form used in this line.

In that day is a standard prophetic expression for a time in the future when Yahweh will act in judgment or salvation. It is repeated in verses 17 and 20 and elsewhere in Isaiah, as well as in other prophetic books. It is a very general reference to a certain period of time, not to one specific day or the daytime. The next verse names that time period “Yahweh’s day.” This expression is comparable to “in the latter days” in verse 2 (see the comments there). Most translators find it helpful to consistently use one phrase to render in that day. In many languages the word “day” can be used metaphorically to give the correct meaning. Another possibility is “at that time.” (Contemporary English Version is unusual with “When the LORD comes,” which we do not recommend.)

Translation suggestions for this verse are:

• The haughtiness of people will be brought down,
their pride will become humility;
Yahweh alone will be exalted in that day.

• Yahweh will put down people’s arrogant attitude,
he will take away their pride;
at that time he alone will remain the exalted one.

Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Sterk, Jan. A Handbook on Isaiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .