The Hebrew word gâʼôwn, represented by H1347, conveys a dual concept of either arrogance or majesty. It appears 49 times across 45 unique verses. Derived from a root meaning to rise, this term can describe the destructive self-exaltation of humanity and nations, or it can refer to the supreme, rightful majesty and excellency of God.
The semantic core of H1347, derived from H1342 (gâʼâh) meaning "to rise up" or "be exalted," inherently carries a sense of elevation. The crucial distinction in its usage lies in the legitimacy and source of this elevation. When applied to God, it denotes His intrinsic, unchallengeable majesty and the rightful exaltation of His being and power. However, when attributed to humanity, nations, or even natural phenomena, H1347 frequently describes an unwarranted or excessive rising, a self-exaltation that stands in opposition to divine order and inevitably leads to a fall. This inherent duality underscores a fundamental biblical truth: true greatness belongs to God alone, while human attempts at self-aggrandizement are ultimately hollow and destructive.
In the biblical narrative, H1347 is used to illustrate both a fatal flaw and a divine attribute. In its negative sense, it is a marker of sin that invites judgment, as "Pride H1347 goeth before H6440 destruction H7667" Proverbs 16:18. It is listed as the core iniquity H5771 of Sodom H5467 Ezekiel 16:49 and is something the LORD H3068 promises to mar H7843 in Judah H3063 and Jerusalem H3389 Jeremiah 13:9. Conversely, the word is used to describe the divine splendor of God, such as the "excellency H1347 of Jacob H3290" chosen by God Psalms 47:4 and the "majesty H1347 of the name H8034 of the LORD H3068" Micah 5:4. The word can also be used figuratively to describe a physical swelling, as in "the swelling H1347 of Jordan H3383" Jeremiah 12:5.
Beyond the general condemnation of pride, H1347 reveals specific patterns of national self-exaltation and its consequences. It frequently characterizes the haughtiness of foreign powers destined for judgment, such as Babylon, whose "glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency" Isaiah 13:19 is explicitly marked for destruction. Similarly, the "pomp of Egypt" is prophesied to cease Ezekiel 30:18, and the "pride of Assyria" to be brought down Zechariah 10:11. Yet, the word is also turned inward, serving as a stark indictment of Israel's own spiritual condition, as "the pride of Israel doth testify to his face" Hosea 5:5, preventing their return to the LORD. This internal pride, rooted in self-sufficiency rather than trust in God, is highlighted again as a reason they "do not return to the LORD their God" Hosea 7:10, demonstrating that H1347 is a universal descriptor of rebellion, irrespective of nationality.
Several related words expand upon the concept of pride and majesty:
- H1346 gaʼăvâh (arrogance or majesty): This term is nearly synonymous and is often used in parallel to describe intense pride. Scripture warns about the "haughtiness H1346, and his pride H1347" of nations like Moab Isaiah 16:6.
- H1363 gôbahh (elation, grandeur, arrogance): This word emphasizes height and loftiness, often in a negative sense. It is directly linked with the consequences of pride, where an "haughty H1363 spirit H7307" precedes a fall H3783 Proverbs 16:18.
- H3519 kâbôwd (glory, honour): Representing true splendor, this word is used to describe the positive aspect of God's majesty. The branch of the LORD is described as both glorious H3519 and excellent H1347 Isaiah 4:2.
- H8213 shâphêl (to depress or sink): This word serves as an antonym, describing the ultimate end of pride. God promises to "lay low H8213 the haughtiness H1346 of the terrible" and cause the arrogancy H1347 of the proud H2086 to cease Isaiah 13:11.
- H1342 gâʼâh (a primitive root): This is the verbal root from which H1347 is derived, meaning "to rise up," "grow up," or "be exalted." It provides the foundational concept of elevation, which H1347 then concretizes as either an attribute of legitimate majesty or illegitimate arrogance, depending on the subject.
The theological weight of H1347 is significant, contrasting human sin with divine character.
- Pride as a Foundational Sin: Arrogance is identified not merely as a character flaw but as an offense that incurs God's wrath H2740. The LORD vows to "break H7665 the pride H1347 of your power H5797" Leviticus 26:19 and punish the wicked H7563 for their iniquity H5771 and arrogancy H1347 Isaiah 13:11.
- The Majesty of God's Name and Power: True excellency H1347 is an attribute of God. This is displayed in His creative power over nature Job 37:4, His might in salvation Exodus 15:7, and the authority of His name Micah 5:4.
- God's Judgment on Pomp and Pride: The pride of powerful nations and rulers is specifically targeted for judgment. The "pomp H1347 of her strength H5797" in Egypt H4714 shall cease H7673 Ezekiel 30:18, and the "pride H1347 of Assyria H804" shall be brought down H3381 Zechariah 10:11.
- God's Abhorrence of Human Arrogance: The theological significance of H1347 is further deepened by God's explicit declaration of hatred for human pride. The LORD states, "I abhor the excellency of Jacob, and hate his palaces" Amos 6:8, indicating not just a judgment of actions, but a visceral rejection of the underlying self-exaltation. This divine abhorrence is also made clear in wisdom literature, where "The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride H1347, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate" Proverbs 8:13, positioning human H1347 as fundamentally antithetical to God's character and the path of wisdom.
The term H1347 gâʼôwn profoundly illustrates the biblical tension between human self-exaltation and divine supremacy. Rooted in the concept of "rising," this single word captures both the destructive arrogance of humanity and the inherent, rightful majesty of God. Its interpretation is critically dependent on its subject: when describing God, it speaks of His unapproachable excellency and power, while for humans and nations, it almost invariably points to a culpable pride that invites divine judgment.
Throughout scripture, H1347 serves as a recurring motif in the downfall of proud nations like Babylon, Egypt, and Assyria, whose "pomp" and "excellency" are brought low. Crucially, it also condemns the internal pride of Israel, revealing a deep-seated spiritual ailment that prevents their repentance and testifies against them. This highlights that human H1347 is not merely a flaw but a foundational sin, an affront to the Creator that God actively abhors and promises to break.
Conversely, H1347 beautifully articulates the divine character. It describes the "excellency of Jacob" as God's chosen inheritance and the glorious "majesty of the name of the LORD his God," affirming His unique authority and splendor. God's H1347 is manifested in His control over creation, His might in salvation, and His ultimate sovereignty. The word thus functions as a powerful theological lens, contrasting the fleeting, damnable pride of humanity with the eternal, glorious majesty of the Almighty, serving as both a stern warning against self-exaltation and a declaration of God's unparalleled greatness.
TRV