from גָּאָה; the same as גַּאֲוָהxlit gaʻăvâh corrected to gaʼăvâh; {arrogance or majesty; by implication, (concretely) ornament}; excellent things, lifting up, majesty, pride, proudly, raging.
Transliteration:gêʼûwth
Pronunciation:gay-ooth'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun גֵּאוּת (gêʼûwth), Strong's `{{H1348}}`, derives from the root גָּאָה (ga'ah, `{{H1342}}`), which signifies "to rise up," "be exalted," or "be proud." The definition provided explicitly links גֵּאוּת to גַּאֲוָה (ga'avah, `{{H1346}}`), indicating a shared semantic field. This word possesses a remarkable semantic range, encompassing both highly positive and profoundly negative connotations depending on its subject.
In its positive sense, גֵּאוּת refers to **majesty, glory, excellence, or exaltation**. This often describes the inherent dignity and power of God, His magnificent works, or the rightful honor bestowed upon His people. It speaks of a lofty, awe-inspiring presence.
Conversely, in its negative application, גֵּאוּת denotes **arrogance, haughtiness, pride, or insolence**. When applied to humans or nations, it signifies an inflated sense of self-importance, a rebellious spirit that exalts itself against God or others, and a presumptuous disregard for divine authority. The definition also includes "by implication, (concretely) ornament" and "excellent things," suggesting a visible manifestation of either majesty or pride, as well as "lifting up" and "raging," which can metaphorically describe the force of pride or the tumultuous nature of the sea.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of גֵּאוּת (gêʼûwth) in the Hebrew Bible beautifully illustrate its dual semantic nature:
1. **Divine Majesty and Power:**
* In [[Job 40:10]], God challenges Job to array himself with גֵּאוּת and הוֹד (hod, `{{H1935}}`, "majesty"), implying a divine attribute that Job cannot replicate. Here, it signifies unapproachable divine dignity.
* [[Psalm 68:34]] calls for ascribing עֹז (oz, `{{H5797}}`, "strength") to God, "whose גֵּאוּת is over Israel, and His strength is in the clouds." This highlights God's sovereign power and glorious presence.
* [[Psalm 93:1]] declares, "The Lord reigns; He is clothed with גֵּאוּת." This verse powerfully portrays God's eternal kingship, His majesty serving as His royal garment, signifying His absolute authority and splendor.
2. **Human Pride and Arrogance (Negative Connotation):**
* [[Isaiah 9:9]] condemns the "pride" (גֵּאוּת) and stoutness of heart of Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria, indicating their rebellious and self-sufficient attitude that invites divine judgment.
* Both [[Isaiah 16:6]] and [[Jeremiah 48:29]] lament the "pride" (גֵּאוּת) of Moab, which is described as excessive and arrogant, leading to their downfall. This pride is a characteristic sin of nations opposing God's people.
* [[Jeremiah 13:9]] speaks of God spoiling the "pride" (גֵּאוּת) of Judah and Jerusalem, signifying their haughty rebellion against His covenant.
* [[Ezekiel 16:49]] lists the "pride" (גֵּאוּת) of Sodom as a primary sin, along with fullness of bread and abundance of idleness, emphasizing how prosperity can fuel arrogance and lead to unrighteousness.
3. **Metaphorical Use:**
* [[Psalm 89:9]] uses גֵּאוּת to describe the "raging" of the sea, which God, in His sovereignty, stills. This extends the concept of "lifting up" or "exaltation" to the tumultuous waves, which are nevertheless subject to divine control.
4. **Excellence/Dignity (Rare Positive Human Context):**
* [[Psalm 47:4]] speaks of God choosing "our inheritance, the גֵּאוּת of Jacob whom He loves." Here, גֵּאוּת refers to the "excellence" or "glory" of Jacob (Israel), likely referring to the promised land or the unique status of God's chosen people.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field surrounding גֵּאוּת (gêʼûwth) is rich and interconnected, particularly with words related to elevation, power, and self-perception.
* **Root and Cognates:**
* גָּאָה (ga'ah, `{{H1342}}`): The verbal root, meaning "to rise up," "be exalted," "be proud." This root provides the foundational concept of elevation, which then branches into positive (majesty) or negative (arrogance) manifestations.
* גַּאֲוָה (ga'avah, `{{H1346}}`): Explicitly stated as synonymous with גֵּאוּת in the lexicon, this noun also carries the dual meaning of "pride" (negative) and "majesty" (positive). Its frequent use in contexts of human arrogance highlights the negative aspect more prominently than גֵּאוּת.
* **Other Words for Pride/Haughtiness:**
* גָּבַהּ (gavah, `{{H1361}}`): "to be high," "exalted," but also "proud" or "haughty." Often describes a lifted-up spirit in a negative sense.
* זָדוֹן (zadon, `{{H2087}}`): "presumptuousness," "arrogance," "insolence." This term often implies a deliberate and defiant pride against God or others.
* רָמָה (ramah, `{{H7411}}`): "to be high," "exalted," but can also imply "to act proudly."
* **Other Words for Majesty/Glory:**
* כָּבוֹד (kavod, `{{H3519}}`): "glory," "honor," "splendor," "weight." This is a very common term for divine glory and human honor.
* הוֹד (hod, `{{H1935}}`): "majesty," "splendor," "glory." Often used in parallel with גֵּאוּת to describe divine attributes, as seen in [[Job 40:10]].
* תִּפְאֶרֶת (tif'eret, `{{H8597}}`): "glory," "beauty," "splendor," "ornament." Can describe both divine glory and the beauty of creation or human achievement.
גֵּאוּת stands out for its concise yet potent ability to encapsulate both the sublime and the sinful aspects of "being lifted up." It uniquely bridges the gap between divine exaltation and human hubris, making its context critical for interpretation.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of גֵּאוּת (gêʼûwth) is profound, serving as a powerful descriptor for two antithetical realities: the glorious nature of God and the destructive sin of humanity.
1. **God's Inherent Majesty:** When applied to God, גֵּאוּת underscores His absolute sovereignty, His unapproachable glory, and His transcendent power. It speaks to His rightful exaltation above all creation ([[Psalm 93:1]]). God's גֵּאוּת is not a flaw but a reflection of His perfect being – His self-sufficient, righteous, and supreme authority. It evokes awe and worship, reminding humanity of their proper place before the Creator. His גֵּאוּת is the source of all true might and splendor, demonstrating His control even over the "raging" forces of nature ([[Psalm 89:9]]).
2. **Human Sin of Pride:** Conversely, when גֵּאוּת describes human behavior, it points to a foundational sin that lies at the heart of rebellion against God. Human גֵּאוּת is an illegitimate self-exaltation, a usurpation of God's rightful place. It manifests as arrogance, haughtiness, and a refusal to acknowledge dependence on God ([[Isaiah 9:9]], [[Jeremiah 13:9]], [[Ezekiel 16:49]]). This pride is repeatedly identified as a cause of divine judgment and the downfall of individuals and nations. It is a spiritual blindness that prevents repentance and submission to God's will. The biblical narrative consistently teaches that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
3. **Divine Opposition to Human Pride:** The stark contrast between God's righteous גֵּאוּת and human sinful גֵּאוּת highlights a core theological principle: God cannot tolerate human self-exaltation. His גֵּאוּת demands that all glory and honor be directed to Him. Therefore, human pride is an affront to His character and inevitably invites His judgment, leading to humiliation and destruction for those who persist in it.
### Summary
The Hebrew word גֵּאוּת (gêʼûwth, `{{H1348}}`) is a powerful and multifaceted term, uniquely capturing both the sublime majesty of God and the destructive arrogance of humanity. Derived from the root "to rise up," it signifies "exaltation," which can manifest as divine glory, splendor, and sovereign power ([[Psalm 93:1]]), or as human pride, haughtiness, and rebellion ([[Isaiah 16:6]]). While rarely used in a positive sense for human excellence ([[Psalm 47:4]]), its primary theological tension lies in contrasting God's inherent, righteous גֵּאוּת with the sinful, self-exalting גֵּאוּת of humanity. The consistent biblical message is that God is clothed in true גֵּאוּת, and He will inevitably bring low all human גֵּאוּת that opposes His holy will, underscoring the vital importance of humility before the Almighty.
TRV