Isaiah 26:6 — Word Study
WLCתִּרְמְסֶ֖נָּה רָ֑גֶל רַגְלֵ֥י עָנִ֖י פַּעֲמֵ֥י דַלִּֽים׃
BSAFeetregel [of the humble] trample it downrâmaç▸ the feetregel [a foot] of the oppressedʻânîy [afflicted, humble, or weak] the stepspaʻam [beat, footstep, or occurrence] of the poordal [those in need of help or assistance]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| תִּרְמְסֶ֖נָּה | it will trample it | Verb qal imperfect third person feminine singular, suffix |
| רָ֑גֶל | a foot | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| רַגְלֵ֥י | [the] feet of | Noun common, feminine dual construct |
| עָנִ֖י | [the] afflicted | Adj |
| פַּעֲמֵ֥י | [the] footsteps of | Noun common, masculine plural construct |
| דַלִּֽים׃ | poor [people] | Adj |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Feet trample it down— the feet of the oppressed, the steps of the poor. |
| KJV | The foot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy. |
| ASV | The foot shall tread it down; even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy. |
| YLT | Tread it down doth a foot, Feet of the poor — steps of the weak. |
| WEB | The foot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor and the steps of the needy.” |
| BBE | It will be crushed under the feet of the poor and the steps of those who are in need. |
The translations agree on the rendering of תִּרְמְסֶ֖נָּה as trample.
The main clause is supported by two noun phrases that identify the subjects performing the action.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Isaiah 26:6
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Justice of Godgenerated
Isaiah 26:6 describes a scene where the feet of the oppressed and poor are depicted as trampling down the lofty city. This imagery illustrates God's justice, where the humble are elevated, and the proud are brought low. The surrounding verses emphasize God's sovereignty in humbling the high and exalted, contrasting the fates of the righteous and the wicked.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 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. |
| 2 | 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.” |
| 3 | 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. |
| 4 | 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. |
| 5 | 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. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 15 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — תִּרְמְסֶ֖נָּה, tir.me.Se.nahgenerated
The verb תִּרְמְסֶ֖נָּה (tir.me.Se.nah) is a third person feminine singular form in the imperfect tense, indicating an ongoing action. It is derived from the root רָמַס (ramas), which means to trample or tread upon, often with force or oppression. This word conveys a sense of violent action, highlighting the theme of oppression in the verse.
In this context, the act of trampling down signifies the power of the oppressed and poor to overcome their oppressors. The use of the feminine form may reflect the humility and vulnerability of those being described, emphasizing their strength in adversity.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The verse is presented in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses the term trample for תִּרְמְסֶ֖נָּה.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb of the verse is תִּרְמְסֶ֖נָּה, it will trample, which governs the entire clause. The structure highlights the subject of the verb, which is implied to be the feet of the oppressed and poor, emphasizing their role in the action.
The sentence structure is straightforward, with the main action followed by the subjects that perform it. This clarity in structure underscores the contrast between the oppressed and the lofty city.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew word רֶגֶל is translated as πόδες (podes), which means 'feet.' This choice reflects a direct correspondence in meaning, maintaining the focus on the physical action of trampling.
The translators opted for a term that captures the essence of the Hebrew while also fitting the Greek context, preserving the imagery of the oppressed acting against their oppressors.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Isaiah 26:6 shows that the feet of the oppressed and poor are trampling down the lofty city. This imagery emphasizes God's justice, where those who are humble and in need are empowered to overcome the proud and powerful.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
This imagery signifies that the oppressed and poor will overcome their oppressors, highlighting a theme of divine justice.
The feet symbolize action and agency, representing the ability of the oppressed to take a stand against their oppressors.
This verse connects to themes of justice and humility found throughout the Bible, particularly in the Psalms and prophetic literature.
The term 'poor' emphasizes the vulnerability of those in need and their reliance on God's justice and intervention.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I seen the oppressed overcome their circumstances in my own life?
- How can I support those who are marginalized or in need?
- What does this verse teach me about God's justice and the fate of the proud?
- How can I embody humility and compassion in my interactions with others?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Isaiah 26:6 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThe foot shall tread it down,.... Trample upon it when brought down, laid low, and level with the ground, as mire is trodden in the streets, and straw for the dunghill; as grapes in the winepress, or
Read John Gill on Isaiah 26 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThe foot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy. The foot shall tread it down - with exultation over its fall (Revelation 18:20).
Read Robert Jamieson on Isaiah 26 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleGod will bring it under the feet of his poor, and weak, and despised people.
Read Matthew Poole on Isaiah 26 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsIsaiah 26:6 The foot shall tread it down, [even] the feet of the poor, [and] the steps of the needy.Ver. 6. The foot shall tread it down.] He saith not the hand shall beat it down, but the foot shall spurn down this lofty city, even the feet of the poor and abject ones, as once Samson dealt by the Philistines, and as men use to spurn base and peasantly fellows that stand in their way. God can, and sometimes doth, to show his power and wisdom, make desolation itself to scale a fort. Men thrust through, to rise up and set whole cities afire, bring to pass mighty things by base and abject means.
Read John Trapp on Isaiah 26 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(6) Even the feet of the poor . . .—The downfall of the haughty city is emphasised by the fact that the instruments of its destruction are to be the very people it had oppressed. The “saints of God” are in this sense to judge the world.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Isaiah 26 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges6. The poor and needy are the Jews, as in ch. Isaiah 25:4. The oppressed triumph over their oppressors. But that they are actually the instruments of Jehovah’s vengeance on the “lofty city” is not necessarily implied.
Read Cambridge on Isaiah 26 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThe foot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor - That is, evidently, those who had been despised by them, and who had been overcome and oppressed by them.
Read Albert Barnes on Isaiah 26 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible5-7. He bringeth down them that dwell on high — The argument is, Why not trust such a One who has overwhelmed imperial oppressive cities, and abolished nearer gainsaying peoples.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Isaiah 26 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Feet trample it down— the feet of the oppressed, the steps of the poor.
The foot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor and the steps of the needy.”
Feet trample it down—the feet of the oppressed, the steps of the poor.
It is trampled underfoot by the feet of the oppressed, by the soles of the poor.”
Tyndale line
The foot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy.
The foot shall tread it down; even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy.
The foot shall tread it down; even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy.
The foot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy.
The foote shall treade it downe, euen the feete of the poore, and the steppes of the needie.
Strictly literal
The foot shall tread it down, — the feet of the afflicted, the steps of the poor.
Tread it down doth a foot, Feet of the poor — steps of the weak.
A foot treads it down, || Feet of the poor—steps of the weak.
The foot shall tread it down, the feet of the poor, the steps of the needy.
It will be trampled down by the feet of the poor and the treading of the needy.
From the Latin
The foot shall tread it down, the feet of the poor, the steps of the needy.
Simplified
The poor tread it underfoot; the oppressed walk on top of it.”
It will be crushed under the feet of the poor and the steps of those who are in need.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text is supported by several Dead Sea Scrolls, which contain portions of the verse. The 1Qisaa fragment includes five words from the verse, while other scrolls have partial matches, indicating a consistency in the core message despite some editorial restorations.
תִּרְמְסֶ֖נָּה רָ֑גֶל רַגְלֵ֥י עָנִ֖י פַּעֲמֵ֥י דַלִּֽים׃
2 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
תרמסי׳נה רגל [רגלי] [עני] [פעמי] [דלים]
2 words on the leather — 4 supplied entire by an editor.
תרמסנה רגלי עניים פעמי דלים
5 words of the verse are on this fragment. The rest of the verse is not on it.
[רגלי] [עני] [פעמי] [דלים]
4 words of the verse are on this fragment — 4 supplied entire by an editor.
ל
1 word of the verse is on this fragment — 1 partly restored.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Isaiah 26:6
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
רָמַס (ramas) is a Hebrew verb meaning to trample or tread upon. It is a primitive root that conveys the action of stepping heavily, often in a way that implies oppression or force. The verb appears in both the Qal form, indicating active tramping, and the Niphal form, suggesting a passive state of being trampled.
רָמַס vb. trample
Qal trample
Niph. be trampled
base
H7429 רָמַס trample
7429 ramac raw-mas'
a primitive root; to tread upon (as a potter, in walking or
abusively):--oppressor, stamp upon, trample (under feet),
tread (down, upon).
רָמַס (ra.mas) — to trample.
1) to trample
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to trample
1a2) trampler (participle)
1b) (Niphal) to be trampled
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs | Suff — Verb qal imperfect third person feminine singular · suffixHVqi3fs/Sp3fs
רֶ֫גֶל (regel) means 'foot' and can refer to a foot or leg in various contexts, including anthropomorphic references to God and other beings. It also implies steps or paces. The word is derived from a root meaning related to walking, and it appears in multiple forms, such as feet and paces.
רֶ֫גֶל 247 n.f. foot
foot
three times (feet, paces)
base
H7272 רֶ֫גֶל foot . foot
. three times (feet, paces)
7272 regel reh'-gel
from 7270; a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a
step; by euphem. the pudenda:--X be able to endure, X
according as, X after, X coming, X follow,
((broken-))foot((-ed, -stool)), X great toe, X haunt, X
journey, leg, + piss, + possession, time.
see HEBREW for 07270
רֶ֫גֶל (re.gel) — foot.
1) foot
1a) foot, leg
1b) of God (anthropomorphic)
1c) of seraphim, cherubim, idols, animals, table
1d) according to the pace of (with prep)
1e) three times (feet, paces)
Aramaic equivalent: re.gal (רְגַל "foot" H7271)
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
foot (reghel, qarcol (only twice in parallel passages: 2Sa 22:37 = Ps 18:36, where it probably means ankle); pous): The dusty roads of Palestine and other eastern lands make a much greater care of the feet necessary than we are accustomed to bestow upon them. The absence of socks or stockings, the use of sandals and low shoes rather than boots and, to an even greater degree, the frequent habit of walking barefoot make it necessary to wash the feet repeatedly every day. This is always done when entering the house, especially the better upper rooms which are usually carpeted. It is a common dictate of good manners to perform this duty to a visitor, either personally or through a servant; at least water for washing has to be presented (
The expressions in De 32:35, "their foot shall slide in due time," and in the traveler’s song, Ps 121:3, "he will not suffer thy foot to be moved," Ps 66:9 Jer 13:16, have reference to the dangerous character of the narrow roads or paths of the East, over rocks and beside precipices where a sliding foot was often fatal. See also Isa 8:14 Lu 2:34. Nakedness of feet was a sign of mourning. God says to Ezekiel, "Make no mourning for the dead, and put on thy shoes upon thy feet," Eze 24:17. It was likewise a mark of…
→ Washing the feet of the disciples by Jesus Joh 13:4-6
→ By disciples 1Ti 5:10
רֶ֫גֶל (regel) means 'foot' and can refer to a foot or leg in various contexts, including anthropomorphic references to God and other beings. It also implies steps or paces. The word is derived from a root meaning related to walking, and it appears in multiple forms, such as feet and paces.
רֶ֫גֶל 247 n.f. foot
foot
three times (feet, paces)
base
H7272 רֶ֫גֶל foot . foot
. three times (feet, paces)
7272 regel reh'-gel
from 7270; a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a
step; by euphem. the pudenda:--X be able to endure, X
according as, X after, X coming, X follow,
((broken-))foot((-ed, -stool)), X great toe, X haunt, X
journey, leg, + piss, + possession, time.
see HEBREW for 07270
רֶ֫גֶל (re.gel) — foot.
1) foot
1a) foot, leg
1b) of God (anthropomorphic)
1c) of seraphim, cherubim, idols, animals, table
1d) according to the pace of (with prep)
1e) three times (feet, paces)
Aramaic equivalent: re.gal (רְגַל "foot" H7271)
N-fd — Noun common · feminine dual constructHNcfdc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
עָנִי (aniy) describes a state of being poor, afflicted, or humble. It is built from the root meaning to be depressed in mind or circumstances. The entries indicate it covers a range of meanings including needy, lowly, and wretched. There is a noted disagreement regarding its relationship to another word, עָנָה (anah), with some lexicons viewing one as subjective and the other as objective.
עָנִי adj. poor, afflicted, humble
base
H6041 עָנִי poor, afflicted, humble
6041 `aniy aw-nee'
from 6031; depressed, in mind or circumstances (practically
the same as 6035, although the margin constantly disputes
this, making 6035 subjective and 6041 objective):--afflicted,
humble, lowly, needy, poor.
see HEBREW for 06031
see HEBREW for 06035
see HEBREW for 06035
see HEBREW for 06041
עָנִי (a.ni) — afflicted.
1) poor, afflicted, humble, wretched
1a) poor, needy
1b) poor and weak
1c) poor, weak, afflicted, wretched
1d) humble, lowly
Adj — AdjHAamsa
→ DUTY TO THE Job 6:14; 22:29; Isa 58:6,7,10; Mt 25:34-45; Lu 10:30-37; Php 2:1,2; 1Ti 5:10; Jas 5:13-15
פַּ֫עַם (pa'am) refers to a beat or stroke, and encompasses meanings such as foot, anvil, and occurrence. It can denote a footstep or time, indicating repetitions like once, twice, or thrice. The word is built from a root that suggests various applications related to rhythm and timing.
פַּ֫עַם 118 n.f. beat, foot, anvil, occurrence
base
H6471 פַּ֫עַם beat, foot, anvil, occurrence
6471 pa`am pah'-am
or (feminine) pa;amah {pah-am-aw'}; from 6470; a stroke,
literally or figuratively (in various applications, as
follow):--anvil, corner, foot(-step), going, (hundred-)fold,
X now, (this) + once, order, rank, step, + thrice, ((often-)),
second, this, two) time(-s), twice, wheel.
see HEBREW for 06470
פַּ֫עַם (pa.am) — beat.
1) stroke, beat, foot, step, anvil, occurrence
1a) foot, hoof-beat, footfall, footstep
1b) anvil
1c) occurrence, time, stroke, beat
1c1) one time, once, twice, thrice, as time on time, at this repetition, this once, now at length, now...now, at one time...at another
N-fp — Noun common · masculine plural constructHNcmpc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
The Hebrew word דַּל (dal) is built from the root meaning 'dangling' or 'weak.' It covers a range of meanings including low, weak, poor, and thin, and is particularly noted in wisdom literature and poetry. The entries consistently emphasize its connotations of neediness and weakness.
דַּל adj. low, weak, poor, thin (especially common in Wisd. lit. and poet.)
base
H1800 דַּל low, weak, poor, thin (especially common in Wisd. lit. and poet.)
1800 dal dal
from 1809; properly, dangling, i.e. (by implication) weak or
thin:--lean, needy, poor (man), weaker.
see HEBREW for 01809
דַּל (dal) — poor.
low, poor, weak, thin, one who is low
Adj — AdjHAampa
pe'-p'-l: In English Versions of the Bible represents something over a dozen Hebrew and Greek words. Of these, in the Old Testament, `am, is overwhelmingly the most common (about 2,000 times), with le'om, and goy, next in order; but the various Hebrew words are used with very little or no difference in force (e.g. Pr 14:28; but, on the other hand, in Ps 44 contrast verses 12 and 14). Of the changes introduced by the Revised Version (British and American) the only one of significance (cited explicitly in the Preface to the English Revised Version) is the frequent use of the plural "peoples" (strangely avoided in the King James Version except Re 10:11; 17:15), where other nations than Israel are in question. So, for instance, in Ps…