Swelling
The Swelling of Waters in the Old Testament
The Hebrew word ga'awah appears in Psalm 46:3, where the psalmist declares, "Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging." Here, the "swelling" or tumultuous rising of the sea symbolizes chaotic, world-shaking forces. It serves as a backdrop for the psalm's central theme: God as an unshakable refuge and fortress.
A more specific geographical reference is the phrase ge'on ha-yarden, traditionally translated as "pride of Jordan" or "swelling of Jordan" (Jeremiah 12:5; 49:19; Zechariah 11:3). This does not refer to floodwaters but to the Jordan River's lush, dense thickets and forests along its banks. This verdant, elevated terrain was a place of both danger and majesty—a known habitat for lions (Jeremiah 49:19) and a metaphor for a place of testing or judgment (Jeremiah 12:5). In Zechariah 11:1-3, this fertile area is depicted as highly flammable, symbolizing the coming destruction of arrogant powers.
Swelling as Spiritual Arrogance in the New Testament
The New Testament uses Greek terms for "swelling" exclusively as metaphors for sinful human pride. In 2 Corinthians 12:20, Paul lists "swellings" (phusiosis) among the behaviors he fears finding in the Corinthian church, a word meaning "puffing up" or blatant self-conceit. This pride disrupts community unity and Christian love.
The metaphor intensifies in 2 Peter 2:18 and Jude 16, which use the word huperogkos, meaning "overgrown," "inflated," or "solemnly pompous." These passages warn against false teachers who use "boastful words of emptiness" to entice others. Their "swelling" speech is marked by arrogance and a lack of spiritual substance, directly opposing the humility taught by Christ.
Historical and Cultural Context
The "pride of Jordan" was a well-known geographical feature in the ancient Near East. The Jordan River valley, especially near the Jericho oasis, supported dense stands of tamarisk, willow, and poplar trees, along with thick undergrowth like reeds and thorns. This created an impenetrable, elevated jungle that was a formidable barrier and a renowned habitat for wildlife, including lions and wild boars. Extra-biblical sources and archaeological evidence confirm the region's fertility and danger. This context makes the biblical metaphors vivid: the thicket was both a symbol of natural majesty (ge'on can mean "majesty" or "excellence") and a place where one could easily become lost or attacked.
Theological Significance
The concept of swelling carries significant theological weight. The swelling seas in Psalm 46 point to God's supreme sovereignty over all chaotic and frightening powers, whether natural or national. He is the ultimate stability.
The spiritual diagnosis of "swelling" pride is central to the biblical understanding of sin. It represents an inflated self-view that displaces God from His rightful place. This arrogance is antithetical to the gospel, which begins with repentance and is sustained by grace-dependent humility. The warnings in the epistles directly connect arrogant speech with false doctrine and moral compromise, showing that what fills one's speech often reveals what fills one's heart. Combating this "swelling" is essential for healthy Christian community and authentic witness.
Biblical Context
The term appears in two primary contexts. In the Old Testament, it describes the tumultuous rising of waters (Psalm 46:3) and the lush, elevated thickets along the Jordan River, called the "pride/swelling of Jordan" in Jeremiah 12:5; 49:19 and Zechariah 11:3. In the New Testament, it is a metaphor for arrogant pride and boastful speech, used by Paul (2 Corinthians 12:20), Peter (2 Peter 2:18), and Jude (Jude 16) to warn against attitudes that destroy unity and promote false teaching.
Theological Significance
Swelling illustrates key theological themes: God's mastery over chaos (the roaring seas) and the severe spiritual danger of human pride. Arrogance (phusiosis, huperogkos) is presented as a fundamental heart condition that leads to division, false teaching, and a rejection of God's grace. The biblical response is to cultivate humility and find security not in self-exaltation but in God's steadfast presence.
Historical Background
The "pride of Jordan" refers to the historically dense, jungle-like vegetation along the Jordan River's banks, particularly in the lower valley near Jericho. This fertile floodplain, sustained by the river and seasonal floods, created a distinct ecological zone of towering trees and thick underbrush. It was a known refuge for predators and a formidable, maze-like landscape. This tangible feature of the Israelite environment provided a powerful natural symbol for the biblical writers.