The Berean Expositor
Volume 34 - Page 97 of 261
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Deut. 4: 43). Some of its usages in Isaiah alone will indicate sufficiently its distinctive
meaning. Exalted as a "highway" (Isa. 49: 11); as one of the cedars of Lebanon
(Isa. 2: 13); as the Lord sitting upon a throne "high" and lifted up (Isa. 6: 1), or as
"The High" and lofty One that inhabiteth Eternity (Isa. 57: 15). Something of what is
involved in the exaltation of the term in the blasphemous words of Lucifer, Son of the
Morning.
"I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God . . . . . I will
ascend above the heights of the clouds: I will be like the Most High" (Isa. 14: 12-14).
The LXX translates this by the Greek verb Hupsoo which is fourteen times rendered
"exalted" and six times "lift up" in the N.T.
"Being by the right hand of God exalted" (Acts 2: 33).
"The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, Whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him
hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance
to Israel, and forgiveness of sins" (Acts 5: 30-31).
"Extolled", Hebrew Nasa. This is a most extensive root, signifying "To bear, take or
lift up". It is found in Isaiah in combination with the previous word Rum, several times.
Cedars of Lebanon "High and lifted up" Rum and Nasa (Isa. 2: 13).
I saw also the Lord "High" and "lifted up" (Isa. 6: 1).
Thus saith the "High" and "lofty One" (Isa. 57: 15).
Another suggestive passage in Isaiah is "every valley shall be exalted". These are
passages in which the verb Nasa is used in its reflexive form. In the simple active form,
this word is used in Isa. 53: 4 and 12 "He hath borne our griefs", "He bare the sin of
many", where instead of Himself being lifted up or "extolled" He is seen "lifting up" the
burden of our sins. The LXX here uses the word doxazo "to glorify". Those readers who
are acquainted with the Gospel of John, and especially John 13:-17: will realize how
fully the Saviour entered into these prophetic utterances concerning Himself.
"Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in Him" (John 13: 31).
"Glorify Thy Son, that Thy Son also may glorify Thee" (John 17: 1).
It will be seen how fully also Peter entered into these prophetic words. In Acts 2: 33
and 5: 31, he used, as we have seen the word "exalted", but in Acts 3: 13 in a similar
context he uses this word "glorify":
"The God of our fathers, hath glorified His Son Jesus, Whom ye delivered up and
denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go."
"And be very high." Here the words used in the original are the verb Gabah and the
adverb Meod. Just as we found Lucifer using the word "exalted" so we find written of
the Prince of Tyre