from גָּבַהּ; lofty (literally or figuratively); high, proud.
Transliteration:gâbâhh
Pronunciation:gaw-bawh'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew adjective גָּבָהּ (gâbâhh, `{{H1362}}`) derives from the verb גָּבַהּ (gâbah, `{{H1361}}`), meaning "to be high, exalted, or proud." As an adjective, gâbâhh conveys the state of being "lofty" or "high," with both literal and figurative applications. Literally, it describes physical elevation, such as the height of a structure, a mountain, or a person's stature. Figuratively, and more significantly in its theological import, it denotes a spiritual or moral elevation, specifically "pride," "arrogance," or "haughtiness." This dual semantic range is crucial for understanding its usage in the biblical text, often serving as a powerful descriptor of human character in opposition to divine humility or sovereignty.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of gâbâhh (`{{H1362}}`) in the Hebrew Bible reflect its dual meaning:
* **Literal Height:**
* It describes the physical stature of individuals, such as Saul, who was "taller than any of the people" ([[1 Samuel 10:23]]).
* It is used for the impressive height of city walls, as seen in the description of cities with "high walls" ([[Deuteronomy 3:5]], [[Jeremiah 51:53]]).
* Mountains are also characterized by their gâbâhh, referring to "the highest peaks" ([[2 Kings 19:23]], [[Isaiah 37:24]]). In these contexts, the word is generally neutral, simply describing physical dimension.
* **Figurative Pride/Haughtiness:**
* This is the more prevalent and theologically significant usage. gâbâhh frequently describes human arrogance and self-exaltation, which is consistently condemned.
* In Wisdom literature, it is linked to negative outcomes: "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall" ([[Proverbs 16:18]]). Similarly, "Haughty eyes and a proud heart... are sin" ([[Proverbs 21:4]]).
* Prophetic books often use gâbâhh to describe the sin of nations or individuals destined for judgment. Isaiah declares that "the haughtiness of man shall be humbled, and the lofty pride of men shall be brought low" ([[Isaiah 2:11]], [[Isaiah 2:17]]), emphasizing God's ultimate supremacy.
* Ezekiel uses it to describe the pride of Sodom ([[Ezekiel 16:50]]) and the prince of Tyre, whose heart was "lifted up" ([[Ezekiel 28:2]]).
* Malachi warns of a day when "all the proud and all evildoers will be stubble" ([[Malachi 4:1]]).
In these instances, gâbâhh is a strong pejorative, highlighting a spiritual condition of rebellion against God's authority and a misplaced sense of self-importance.
### Related Words & Concepts
Gâbâhh (`{{H1362}}`) is closely related to its verbal root גָּבַהּ (gâbah, `{{H1361}}`), which means "to be high" or "to be proud." Another direct derivative is the noun גֹּבַהּ (gōbah, `{{H1363}}`), meaning "height" or "pride," often carrying the same negative connotation when referring to human character.
Other significant Hebrew words that share a semantic range related to height or exaltation, sometimes with overlap in meaning, include:
* רוּם (rûm, `{{H7311}}`): "to be high, exalted, lifted up." This verb can describe physical elevation, the lifting up of hands in prayer, or the exaltation of God, but also human pride.
* שָׂגַב (śāḡaḇ, `{{H7682}}`): "to be high, exalted, inaccessible," often used in a positive sense, especially concerning God's exaltedness.
Conversely, words that stand in stark contrast to the negative sense of gâbâhh include:
* שָׁפֵל (shāphēl, `{{H8213}}`): "to be low, humble."
* עָנָו (ʿānāw, `{{H6035}}`): "humble, afflicted, meek."
These contrasting terms underscore the biblical emphasis on humility as a virtue, in opposition to pride.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of gâbâhh (`{{H1362}}`) primarily revolves around the stark contrast between divine sovereignty and human pride. God alone is truly and righteously "high" and "exalted," dwelling in the "high and holy place" ([[Isaiah 57:15]]). Any human attempt to achieve or embody gâbâhh in the sense of arrogance or self-exaltation is presented as an affront to God's unique position and an act of rebellion.
The consistent biblical message is that human pride, expressed through gâbâhh, inevitably leads to divine judgment and humiliation. God actively "brings low" the proud and "humbles" the haughty, demonstrating His absolute power and justice. This theme is foundational to prophetic warnings and wisdom literature, serving as a constant reminder that true exaltation comes from God, not from human striving or self-aggrandizement. The call to humility, therefore, becomes an essential theological response to the pervasive danger of human gâbâhh.
### Summary
The Hebrew word גָּבָהּ (gâbâhh, `{{H1362}}`) denotes "high" or "lofty," encompassing both literal physical height and, more significantly, the figurative concept of human pride or haughtiness. While neutrally describing physical dimensions, its theological weight lies in its consistent portrayal of human arrogance as a sin against God. The biblical narrative repeatedly shows that such gâbâhh leads to divine judgment, as God actively humbles the proud and exalts the lowly. Thus, gâbâhh serves as a potent warning against self-exaltation, underscoring the necessity of humility and reverence before the truly high and exalted God.
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