Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5760 Human attitudes and behaviour  »  5849 exaltation

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

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

Examples of God's exaltation of his people

God's exaltation of Joshua

Joshua 3:7

God's exaltation of David

2 Samuel 5:9-12 See also 2 Samuel 22:47-51 pp Psalm 18:46-50; Psalm 89:19-29

God's exaltation of Solomon

1 Chronicles 29:25 See also 1 Kings 3:5-15 pp 2 Chronicles 1:7-12; 1 Kings 10:1-10 pp 2 Chronicles 9:1-9

God's exaltation of Jesus Christ

Prophecies of Jesus Christ's exaltation

Isaiah 52:13 See also Psalm 110:1-7

The exaltation of Jesus Christ upon the cross

John 3:14-15; John 12:32 See also John 8:28

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

Self-exaltation is wrong

Warnings against self-exaltation

Proverbs 25:6-7 See also Daniel 4:19-27; Matthew 23:5-12 pp Mark 12:38-39 pp Luke 20:45-47; Luke 14:7-11

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

Consequences of self-exaltation

Matthew 23:12 pp 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

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

See also

1190  glory
1270  right hand of God
2336  Christ, exaltation
5878  honour
8276  humility
8440  glorifying God
8622  worship
8664  praise
8802  pride
9410  heaven