The Hebrew word gaʼăvâh, represented by H1346, carries a dual meaning of arrogance or majesty. It appears 19 times in 19 unique verses. Its definition encompasses a range of concepts including excellency, haughtiness, highness, pride, and swelling, with the specific meaning determined entirely by its context.
In biblical usage, H1346 most often describes a negative human quality. It is the pride that leads to a person's downfall Proverbs 29:23 and motivates the wicked to persecute the poor Psalms 10:2. This pride is portrayed as a metaphorical garment worn by the violent Psalms 73:6. Conversely, the term is used positively to describe the supreme majesty of God, such as "his excellency on the sky" Deuteronomy 33:26. It can also refer to God's strength bestowed upon Israel, called "the sword of thy excellency" Deuteronomy 33:29. In a physical sense, it can describe the "swelling" of roaring waters Psalms 46:3.
Several related words help clarify the scope of H1346:
- H1347 gâʼôwn (arrogancy, excellency, majesty, pomp, pride): This term is nearly synonymous with H1346 and is often used alongside it to emphasize the depth of a nation's arrogance, as seen in the description of Moab Isaiah 16:6.
- H8213 shâphêl (to depress or sink, humiliate, bring low): This verb serves as the divine response to human pride. Scripture repeatedly states that pride H1346 will ultimately "bring him low" H8213, establishing a direct consequence for haughtiness Proverbs 29:23.
- H1361 gâbahh (to soar, be lofty, be haughty): This verb describes the action of being haughty, a state God promises to remove from His people so they will no longer rejoice in their pride Zephaniah 3:11.
- H7563 râshâʻ (morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person): Pride is frequently presented as a defining characteristic of the wicked, whose pride drives them to oppress others and create devices against the poor Psalms 10:2.
The theological weight of H1346 is significant and centered on the contrast between God's nature and humanity's fallen state.
- The Consequence of Arrogance: A central theme is that human pride is an offense that God will judge. A man's pride is destined to bring him low Proverbs 29:23, and God explicitly states He will "cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible" Isaiah 13:11.
- Divine Excellency vs. Human Haughtiness: The word highlights a stark contrast. God's "excellency" is a mark of His supreme power and authority over creation Deuteronomy 33:26. In contrast, human "pride" is a sinful trait that God opposes and brings down Isaiah 25:11.
- The Mark of the Wicked: Pride is consistently associated with wickedness. The wicked are characterized by their pride, which leads them to speak "grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous" Psalms 31:18 and to persecute the vulnerable Psalms 10:2.
In summary, H1346 gaʼăvâh is a powerful term whose meaning shifts from laudable to condemnable based on its subject. It illustrates the vast difference between the rightful "excellency" of God and the sinful "pride" of humanity. While God's highness is a source of security for His people, man's haughtiness is the direct cause of his eventual humiliation and judgment.
TRV