The term "exalts" in the Bible is often associated with the act of lifting up, glorifying, or honoring someone or something. It is used in various contexts, both in relation to God exalting individuals and individuals exalting God. The concept of exaltation is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, reflecting the dynamics of humility, honor, and divine sovereignty.

Divine Exaltation of Individuals

Throughout Scripture, God is depicted as the one who exalts the humble and brings down the proud. This theme is evident in the account of Hannah, the mother of Samuel, who praises God for His ability to exalt the lowly: "He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; He seats them with princes and bestows on them a throne of honor" (1 Samuel 2:8). Similarly, in the New Testament, Mary, the mother of Jesus, echoes this sentiment in her Magnificat: "He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has exalted the humble" (Luke 1:52).

The exaltation of individuals by God is often linked to their humility and faithfulness. James 4:10 advises believers, "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you." This principle underscores the biblical teaching that true exaltation comes not from self-promotion but from submission to God's will.

Exaltation of God by Individuals

Exalting God is a central theme in the worship and praise found throughout the Bible. The Psalms, in particular, are replete with calls to exalt the Lord. Psalm 34:3 invites the faithful, "Magnify the LORD with me; let us exalt His name together." This act of exalting God is an expression of reverence, gratitude, and acknowledgment of His supreme authority and majesty.

The exaltation of God is not limited to verbal praise but is also demonstrated through obedience and righteous living. Philippians 2:9-11 speaks of the ultimate exaltation of Jesus Christ: "Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." This passage highlights the divine exaltation of Christ as a response to His humility and obedience unto death.

Exaltation in Eschatological Context

In eschatological terms, the concept of exaltation is also associated with the future glory that awaits believers. 1 Peter 5:6 encourages Christians, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you." This promise of future exaltation serves as a source of hope and motivation for believers to remain steadfast in their faith amidst trials and tribulations.

Conclusion

The biblical theme of exaltation encompasses both the divine act of lifting up the humble and the human response of glorifying God. It reflects the broader theological principles of humility, divine justice, and the ultimate sovereignty of God over all creation.5312. hupsoo -- to lift or raise up, to exalt, uplift
... Word Origin from hupsos Definition to lift or raise up, to exalt, uplift NASB Word
Usage exalt (2), exalted (9), exalts (3), lift (1), lifted (4), made...great ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5312.htm - 7k

3170. megaluno -- to make or declare great
... Word Origin from megas Definition to make or declare great NASB Word Usage
displayed...great (1), enlarged (1), exalted (1), exalting (1), exalts (1), held ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3170.htm - 7k

1869. epairo -- to lift up
... Word Origin from epi and airo Definition to lift up NASB Word Usage exalts (1),
hoisting (1), lift (3), lifted (4), lifting (4), raised (5), turning (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1869.htm - 7k

5229. huperairo -- to lift or raise over, mid. to uplift oneself
... Word Origin from huper and airo Definition to lift or raise over, mid. to
uplift oneself NASB Word Usage exalting (2), exalts (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5229.htm - 6k

4592. semeion -- a sign
... corroborate or authenticate. 4592 ("sign") then emphasizes the end-purpose
which exalts the one giving it. Accordingly, it is used ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4592.htm - 7k

7311. rum -- to be high or exalted, rise
... 1), become proud (1), boldly* (2), brought (1), contributed (5), defiantly* (1),
display (1), exalt (11), exaltation (1), exalted (29), exalts (5), extol (5 ...
/hebrew/7311.htm - 6k

How the Baptist Answers the Question of the Pharisees and Exalts ...
... Sixth Book. 15. How the Baptist Answers the Question of the Pharisees and Exalts
the Nature of Christ. Of the Shoe-Latchet Which He is Unable to Untie. ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/15 how the baptist answers.htm

The Form of Sound Words
... But since it is said that texts may be found to prove almost everything, we must
remark, that a form of sound words must be one that exalts God and puts down ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the form of sound words.htm

Original Righteousness.
... It is the peculiar characteristic of the Reformed Confession that more than
any other it humbles the sinner and exalts the sinless man. ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/v original righteousness.htm

Prayer and Humility
... Self-abasement belongs to humility. It is given to self-depreciation. It never exalts
itself in the eyes of others nor even in the eyes of itself. ...
/.../bounds/the essentials of prayer/ii prayer and humility.htm

Twenty Fourth Sunday after Trinity Prayer and Spiritual Knowledge.
... And he exalts Christ supremely, in person and kingdom, making him all in all in
his Church"God, Lord, Master, Head and Example, and everything mentionable in ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twenty fourth sunday after trinity.htm

Salvation.
... Washing in "niter and much soap" will not prove effectual, but the blood of Jesus
will remove every stain. Sin reproaches, but the salvation of Jesus exalts. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter iv salvation.htm

Sin.
... revelries, etc. Such manner of life exalts that community, and all good
people are desirous of making their homes there. The second ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter iii sin.htm

Letter xvi to Rainald, Abbot of Foigny
... But I should, perhaps, represent more truly what I feel if I say that he who exalts
me really humiliates me; and he who humiliates me, exalts. ...
/.../letter xvi to rainald abbot.htm

On Proverbs. From the Commentary of St. Hippolytus on Proverbs.
... For as one does not honour an ugly and misshapen fellow, if he exalts him, but only
dishonours him the more, by making his shame manifest to a larger number ...
/.../on proverbs from the commentary.htm

That in Adam's Sin an Evil Will Preceded the Evil Act.
... humble. There is, therefore, something in humility which, strangely enough,
exalts the heart, and something in pride which debases it. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 13 that in adams sin.htm

Exalts (13 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Exalts (13 Occurrences). Matthew 23:12 Whoever exalts
himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. ...
/e/exalts.htm - 9k

Exalted (126 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV WEY ASV WBS YLT NAS RSV). Matthew 23:12 Whoever exalts himself will
be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. ...
/e/exalted.htm - 34k

Exalt (56 Occurrences)
... WL Walker. Multi-Version Concordance Exalt (56 Occurrences). Matthew 23:12 Whoever
exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. ...
/e/exalt.htm - 27k

Abases (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Abases (3 Occurrences). Matthew 23:12 and one who exalts
himself shall be abased, while one who abases himself shall be exalted. (WEY) ...
/a/abases.htm - 7k

Examination (10 Occurrences)

/e/examination.htm - 11k

Exalting (10 Occurrences)

/e/exalting.htm - 9k

Humbles (7 Occurrences)
... (WEB NAS RSV NIV). Matthew 23:12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and
whoever humbles himself will be exalted. (WEB NAS RSV NIV). ...
/h/humbles.htm - 8k

Humbled (77 Occurrences)
... Humbled (77 Occurrences). Matthew 23:12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled,
and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. (WEB ASV DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/h/humbled.htm - 30k

Veneration (1 Occurrence)
... 2 Thessalonians 2:4 who opposes and exalts himself on high against all called God,
or object of veneration; so that he himself sits down in the temple of God ...
/v/veneration.htm - 7k

Opposes (7 Occurrences)
... 2 Thessalonians 2:4 he who opposes and exalts himself against all that is called
God or that is worshiped; so that he sits as God in the temple of God, setting ...
/o/opposes.htm - 8k

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