גַּבְהוּת
pride
Definition
The noun גַּבְהוּת (gabhûwth) refers to a state of being high, lofty, or exalted, and in its biblical usage, it specifically denotes the negative quality of human pride or arrogance. It describes an attitude of self-exaltation, where individuals or nations elevate themselves in opposition to God's authority. In Isaiah 2:11 and 2:17, the word is used to describe the 'loftiness' or 'pride' of humanity that will be humbled on the day of the Lord, when God alone is exalted.
Biblical Usage
This word appears exclusively in the prophetic book of Isaiah, specifically in two parallel verses within a single oracle (Isaiah 2:11, 2:17). It is used in a judgment context, describing the arrogant condition of all people which God will bring low on the coming day of judgment. The pattern is formulaic: 'The haughty looks of man shall be brought low, and the loftiness (גַּבְהוּת) of men shall be humbled; and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.'
Etymology
Derived from the root גָּבַהּ (gāvah, H1361), meaning 'to be high, exalted, or lofty.' This root conveys physical height, social rank, and metaphorical exaltation. The noun form גַּבְהוּת specifically denotes the abstract quality or state of being high. Related words include גֹּבַהּ (gōvah, H1364) for 'height' and גָּבוֹהַּ (gāvōah, H1364) for 'high.'
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it encapsulates the fundamental sin of pride—the human attempt to usurp God's unique place of exaltation. In Isaiah's prophecy, גַּבְהוּת represents everything in the created order that sets itself against the Creator. Its use underscores the biblical theme that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (Proverbs 3:34, James 4:6). Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of Isaiah by highlighting the stark contrast between human arrogance and divine sovereignty, which is resolved only when God is rightly exalted.
In the ancient Near Eastern context, height and loftiness were common metaphors for power, success, and divine favor. A king's throne was elevated, and temples were built on high places. Isaiah subverts this cultural understanding by declaring that all human 'highness' is ultimately illegitimate before the supreme God. The prophet uses a culturally resonant concept to deliver a counter-cultural message: true security and exaltation are found in submission to Yahweh, not in self-aggrandizement.
גָּאוֹן (gā'ôn, H1347) — often 'majesty' or 'excellence,' can refer to the positive majesty of God or the negative pride of humans (e.g., Isaiah 13:11). גַּאֲוָה (ga'avâh, H1347) — 'pride, arrogance,' a more common term for arrogant exaltation (e.g., Proverbs 8:13). רוּם (rûm, H7312) — 'height, exaltation,' a broader term for being lifted up, either physically or in pride (e.g., Isaiah 2:12).
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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