The lifting up or raising on high of a person, in words or actions. The exaltation of Jesus Christ, first on the cross and then in his resurrection, provides a model of how God exalts the humble and obedient. God also humbles those who exalt themselves. Believers are called upon to exalt God in their praise of him.
True exaltation comes from God
Psalm 75:6–7 See also Genesis 39:1–6; 1 Samuel 2:1–10; 2 Samuel 7:18–29
For exaltation comes neither from east nor west, nor out of the desert, but it is God who judges; He brings down one and exalts another.
God exalts those who are humble
James 4:10 See also Matthew 5:3–5; Luke 1:46–55; 1 Peter 5:5–6; Proverbs 3:34
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.
Examples of God's exaltation of his people
God's exaltation of Joshua
Now the LORD said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you just as I was with Moses.
God's exaltation of David
2 Samuel 5:9–12 See also 2 Samuel 22:47–51 parallel Psalm 18:46–50; Psalm 89:19–29
So David took up residence in the fortress and called it the City of David. He built it up all the way around, from the supporting terraces inward. And David became greater and greater, for the LORD God of Hosts was with him. Now Hiram king of Tyre sent envoys to David, along with cedar logs, carpenters, and stonemasons, and they built a palace for David. And David realized that the LORD had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of His people Israel.
God's exaltation of Solomon
1 Chronicles 29:25 See also 1 Kings 3:5–15 parallel 2 Chronicles 1:7–12; 1 Kings 10:1–10 parallel 2 Chronicles 9:1–9
The LORD highly exalted Solomon in the sight of all Israel and bestowed on him royal majesty such as had not been bestowed on any king in Israel before him.
God's exaltation of Jesus Christ
Prophecies of Jesus Christ's exaltation
Isaiah 52:13 See also Psalm 110:1–7
Behold, My Servant will prosper; He will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.
The exaltation of Jesus Christ upon the cross
John 3:14–15, John 12:32 See also John 8:28
Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life.
And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw everyone to Myself.”
God's exaltation of Jesus Christ in the resurrection
Acts 2:32–36 See also Acts 5:30–31; Philippians 2:9–11; Hebrews 7:26
God has raised this Jesus to life, to which we are all witnesses. Exalted, then, to the right hand of God, He has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. For David did not ascend into heaven, but he himself says: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”’ Therefore let all Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ!”
Self-exaltation is wrong
Warnings against self-exaltation
Proverbs 25:6–7 See also Daniel 4:19–27; Matthew 23:5–12 parallels Mark 12:38–39, Luke 20:45–47; Luke 14:7–11
Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of great men; for it is better to be told, “Come up here!” than to be demoted in the presence of the prince. Even what you have seen with your own eyes,
Examples of self-exaltation
Isaiah 14:13–14 See also Genesis 11:3–4; Ezekiel 28:1–2; Daniel 3:1–7; 2 Thessalonians 2:3–4
You said in your heart: “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God. I will sit on the mount of assembly, in the far reaches of the north. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.”
Consequences of self-exaltation
Matthew 23:12 parallel Luke 14:11 See also Genesis 11:5–9; Isaiah 2:11–17, Isaiah 14:12–20 taunt against the king of Babylon; Daniel 4:28–33; Luke 18:9–14
For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
The exaltation of God in his people's praise
Exodus 15:1–2 Rejoicing after the exodus from Egypt. See also Psalm 34:1–3, Psalm 57:9–11, Psalm 99:5, Psalm 145:1–13; Isaiah 25:1; Daniel 4:36–37
Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD: “I will sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted. The horse and rider He has thrown into the sea. The LORD is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.