Or, images. The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain.

In figure signifying countries, nations, and kingdoms.

Typifying lofty persons, those who lift themselves up.

See note Joel 1:15^1a.

Because the nations were haughty, it was necessary for Jehovah to humiliate them, to bring them down, through judgment. God’s judgment on the haughty nations ushers in the God-man, Christ (Isa. 4:2, 5-6), issuing in the restoration of the nation of Israel (Isa. 4:3-6; 2:2-5), which brings in the kingdom and consummates in the new heaven and new earth (Isa. 65:17).

The nations were rich not only in money but also in idols (vv. 8, 20). Idols and money go together. This is the reason that money is called mammon (Matt. 6:24; Luke 16:9, 11, 13). Because the nations trusted in idols, God judged them in order to humiliate them (vv. 9-22).

In the restoration Christ will be the unique ruler on earth. See note Isa. 32:1^1a.

Heb. torah, frequently translated law. During the millennium, the thousand-year kingdom, the restored nation of Israel will be the priests in the earthly part of the kingdom (Isa. 61:6; Zech. 8:20-23), the kingdom of the Son of Man (Matt. 13:41; Rev. 11:15), and the overcoming believers in Christ will be the priests in the heavenly part (Rev. 20:6), the kingdom of the Father (Matt. 13:43). By this priesthood all the peoples of the nations will be taught and instructed. See note Zech. 8:20¹.

Lit., out of; indicating the source of His instruction.

The mountain here signifies the kingdom of Israel, whereas the mountains and the hills later in the verse signify the kingdoms of the nations. In the restoration (Matt. 19:28; Acts 3:21) the nation of Israel will be the foremost among the nations.