גֵּא
haughty
Definition
The Hebrew noun גֵּא (gêʼ) describes a state of arrogant pride or haughtiness. It specifically conveys the idea of being lifted up in one's own estimation, often with a connotation of insolence toward God or others. In its single biblical occurrence in Isaiah 16:6, it characterizes Moab's arrogant speech and boasts. The word is closely related to the adjective גֵּאֶה (gêʼeh, H1343), which carries a similar meaning of pride or majesty, but the noun form גֵּא focuses more on the abstract quality or condition of haughtiness itself.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Isaiah 16:6, within a prophecy against Moab. The context is a lament over Moab's downfall, where the prophet declares, 'We have heard of the pride of Moab—he is very proud—of his haughtiness (גֵּאוֹ), his pride, and his arrogance; his idle boasts are false.' Here, the word is part of a poetic triplet with synonyms for pride, emphasizing the nation's arrogant spirit which precedes its judgment. Its usage is exclusively in a negative, condemnatory context related to a nation's self-exaltation.
Etymology
The noun גֵּא (gêʼ) is derived from the root גאה (gʼh), which conveys the core idea of rising up, being high, or being exalted. It is explicitly linked to the more common adjective גֵּאֶה (gêʼeh, H1343), meaning 'proud' or 'majestic.' The root is also connected to verbs meaning to rise up or be lifted. The semantic development moved from the physical sense of height to the metaphorical sense of exalted self-regard, often with a negative moral quality when directed toward self rather than God.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it captures a specific aspect of pride that is antithetical to a right relationship with God. In the biblical worldview, pride (גֵּא) is not merely a personal flaw but a fundamental rebellion—usurping the glory and position that belong to God alone. Its use in Isaiah 16:6 shows that national arrogance invites divine judgment. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by highlighting that biblical condemnations of pride target this specific attitude of self-exalting haughtiness, which God consistently opposes (Proverbs 16:5).
In ancient Near Eastern culture, particularly among nations like Moab, pride was often tied to military strength, wealth, and political power. A nation's 'boasts' were part of its royal propaganda and identity. Isaiah's condemnation of Moab's גֵּא would resonate as a direct challenge to the nation's self-understanding and claims of autonomy. The modern idea of 'healthy self-esteem' differs sharply; this biblical term describes an arrogant self-reliance that denies dependence on God and scorns others, a serious moral and communal failing.
גֵּאֶה (gêʼeh, H1343) — The related adjective, often translated 'proud' or 'majestic,' describing the character of a person. גַּאֲוָה (gaʼăwâ, H1347) — A more common noun for 'pride' or 'excellence,' denoting the abstract concept or the objects of pride. רָם (rām, H7311) — An adjective meaning 'high' or 'exalted,' sometimes used metaphorically for a proud heart.
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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