What does Isaiah 2:16 mean?

Isaiah 2:16 highlights themes such as judgment, destruction, idolatry when read in context.

How should I apply Isaiah 2:16 today?

Read the surrounding passage, compare related cross references, and turn the verse into a short prayer and concrete action.

And upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures.

14And upon all the high mountains, and upon all the hills that are lifted up,

15And upon every high tower, and upon every fenced wall,

16And upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures.

17And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.

18And the idols he shall utterly abolish.

judgmentdestructionidolatry

Ezekiel 27:12
Ezekiel mentions Tarshish in the context of trade and idolatry, similar to Isaiah's warning.
Revelation 18:17
The destruction of Babylon echoes the judgment against those who indulge in worldly pleasures.
Isaiah 23:1
Isaiah's warnings about Tyre and its trade parallels the mention of Tarshish.