What Does Exalted Mean? A Biblical Definition of Exalted, Exalting Or Exalting God

What does the word “exalt” or “exalted” mean? What is the biblical definition of exalted or exalting?

Exalted is…

To be exalted or to exalt something is to raise to a higher level in rank, honor, power, character, quality, and to elevate something or someone. We can exalt ourselves or someone else can exalt us but the way the Bible uses the word exalt or to be exalted is slightly different than what we might think at first glance.

God can Exalt

When Joshua took over the leadership of ancient Israel God said “Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you” (Joshua 3:7) and after Joshua and Israel had crossed over into the Promised land “the Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel, and they stood in awe of him just as they had stood in awe of Moses, all the days of his life” (Joshua 4:14). The point is that we should never exalt ourselves for it is “The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts” (1st Sam 2:7) as David wrote that is was God “who brought me out from my enemies; you exalted me above those who rose against me; you delivered me from men of violence” (2nd Sam 22:49) “And David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel, and that his kingdom was highly exalted for the sake of his people Israel” (1st Chron 14:2). After God had defeated the Assyrians “many brought gifts to the Lord to Jerusalem and precious things to Hezekiah king of Judah, so that he was exalted in the sight of all nations from that time onward” (2nd Chron 32:23). God “does not withdraw his eyes from the righteous, but with kings on the throne he sets them forever, and they are exalted” (Job 36:7).

Exalting Ourselves

As I mentioned earlier, anyone who exalts themselves is wrong to do so because only God can exalt someone. Jesus said “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matt 23:12) for God Himself “has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate” (Luke 1:52). Even “Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you’” (Heb 5:5). James recommends “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you” (James 4:10). The Apostle Peter writes something very similar in 1st Peter 5:6 “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.” The point is that if we humble ourselves, God will exalt us but if we exalt ourselves, God will humble us. Which do you think you prefer the most? Ezekiel put it very well when he wrote that God will “Exalt that which is low, and bring low that which is exalted” (Ezk 21:26) so “If you have been foolish, exalting yourself, or if you have been devising evil, put your hand on your mouth” (Prov 30:32).

God is Exalted

When Paul was writing about Jesus in the Book of Philippians he said “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name” (Phil 2:9) “For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens” (Heb 7:26). This is why “God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins” (Acts 5:31). God blesses those nations who live in righteousness too as we read in Proverbs 14:34 “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” but He will also humble those nations who live in unrighteousness. The psalmist had the most to write about exalting or exaltation (28 times) and it was always toward God, writing “Be exalted, O Lord, in your strength! We will sing and praise your power” (Psalm 57:11) “For you are the glory of their strength; by your favor our horn is exalted” (Psalm 89:17).

Conclusion

If you want to exalt someone, why not exalt God Who is most worthy? The psalms are a rich resource for praising and exalting God in worship as we read in Psalm 97:9 “For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods” so “Exalt the Lord our God; worship at his footstool! Holy is he” (Psalm 99:5). Let us “Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy mountain; for the Lord our God is holy” (Psalm 99:9) and pray “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth” (Psalm 108:5). Let God alone be exalted for “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matt 23:12).

Article by Jack Wellman

Jack Wellman is Pastor of the Mulvane Brethren church in Mulvane Kansas. Jack is also the Senior Writer at What Christians Want To Know whose mission is to equip, encourage, and energize Christians and to address questions about the believer’s daily walk with God and the Bible. You can follow Jack on Google Plus or check out his book Blind Chance or Intelligent Design available on Amazon.