or גָּבוֹהַּ; (fully) from גָּבַהּ; elevated (or elated), powerful, arrogant; haughty, height, high(-er), lofty, proud, [idiom] exceeding proudly.
Transliteration:gâbôahh
Pronunciation:gaw-bo'-ah
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew adjective גָּבֹהַּ (gâbôahh, `{{H1364}}`) derives from the root גָּבַהּ (gâbah, `{{H1361}}`), meaning "to be high, exalted, or lifted up." As an adjective, גָּבֹהַּ carries a rich semantic range, primarily denoting physical elevation or height. This can refer to literal structures like walls or towers, natural features such as mountains, or even the stature of individuals.
Beyond the physical, גָּבֹהַּ extends metaphorically to describe:
1. **Exaltedness or Loftiness (Positive Sense):** This usage often pertains to the divine, describing God's majesty, His elevated thoughts, or His supreme position. It conveys a sense of transcendence, power, and unapproachable glory.
2. **Arrogance or Haughtiness (Negative Sense):** Most frequently, גָּבֹהַּ is employed to characterize human pride, insolence, or an inflated sense of self-importance. In this context, it signifies a spiritual posture antithetical to humility and reverence for God. This negative connotation is particularly prevalent in wisdom literature and prophetic condemnations.
Thus, גָּבֹהַּ is a word with a significant moral and theological dualism, capable of describing both divine splendor and human depravity.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The usage of גָּבֹהַּ across the Hebrew Bible illustrates its varied applications:
* **Physical Height:**
* It describes the formidable height of city walls, such as those in Bashan: "All these were cities fortified with high walls, gates, and bars..." [[Deuteronomy 3:5]]. Similarly, it speaks of "every fortified city with high walls" [[1 Kings 14:23]].
* Natural elevation is also depicted: "The high mountains are for the wild goats; the rocks are a refuge for the rock badgers" [[Psalm 104:18]].
* Figuratively, it can refer to the towering nature of trees, as in "all the high cedars of Lebanon and all the oaks of Bashan" [[Isaiah 2:13]], contributing to a sense of imposing grandeur.
* **Divine Attributes and Exaltation:**
* When applied to God, גָּבֹהַּ underscores His sublime nature. "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him" [[Psalm 103:11]]. Here, it describes the immeasurable extent of divine mercy.
* God's ways and thoughts are declared infinitely superior to humanity's: "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts" [[Isaiah 55:9]]. This emphasizes God's transcendence and incomprehensible wisdom.
* In worship, the psalmist proclaims God's eternal exaltation: "But You, O LORD, are on high forever" [[Psalm 92:8]].
* **Human Pride and Arrogance:**
* This is arguably the most prominent and theologically significant usage. גָּבֹהַּ frequently denotes a sinful human disposition. "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall" [[Proverbs 16:18]]. The "haughty spirit" (רוּחַ גָּבֹהַּ) is a direct precursor to ruin.
* "Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin" [[Proverbs 21:4]]. Here, גָּבֹהַּ describes the outward manifestation of inner pride.
* The prophets often denounce the "loftiness" or "haughtiness" of humanity, predicting its humbling: "The haughty looks of man shall be brought low, and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled, and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day" [[Isaiah 2:11]], reiterated in [[Isaiah 2:17]].
* The psalmist contrasts the humble heart with the proud: "O LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor my eyes lofty; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me" [[Psalm 131:1]]. This verse beautifully articulates a posture of humility that avoids the pitfalls of intellectual or spiritual arrogance.
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding גָּבֹהַּ is enhanced by examining its linguistic relatives and conceptual counterparts:
* **Root Verb:** גָּבַהּ (gâbah, `{{H1361}}`): The foundational verb "to be high, exalted, or rise up." All meanings of גָּבֹהַּ stem from this core idea.
* **Related Noun:** גֹּבַהּ (gōbah, `{{H1363}}`): This noun directly translates to "height" or "loftiness" and is often used abstractly to mean "pride" or "arrogance," mirroring the dual nature of the adjective.
* **Other Words for Elevation/Exaltation:**
* מָרוֹם (mārôm, `{{H4791}}`): "Height, high place, exaltation." Frequently used in poetic contexts for God's dwelling place or His exalted status.
* רוּם (rûm, `{{H7311}}`): A common verb meaning "to be high, to be exalted, to lift up." It often describes God's exaltation or the lifting up of a people or object.
* **Antonyms/Contrasts:**
* שָׁפָל (shāfāl, `{{H8213}}`): "Low, humble, abased." This word stands in direct opposition to גָּבֹהַּ, particularly in contexts dealing with humility versus pride. The biblical emphasis on humility often comes as a counterpoint to the dangers of גָּבֹהַּ.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of גָּבֹהַּ is profound, operating on two primary levels:
1. **The Majesty of God:** When applied to Yahweh, גָּבֹהַּ encapsulates His transcendence, His absolute sovereignty, and His unsearchable wisdom. God's "highness" is not merely spatial but ontological, signifying His unique status as Creator and Lord. This divine loftiness evokes awe, reverence, and worship, reminding humanity of its finite nature and proper posture of humility before the Infinite. The contrast between God's גָּבֹהַּ and human גָּבֹהַּ (pride) highlights the chasm between divine perfection and human fallenness.
2. **The Sin of Human Pride:** The most frequent and cautionary theological use of גָּבֹהַּ is its indictment of human pride. Biblical theology consistently identifies גָּבֹהַּ (haughtiness) as a fundamental sin, an affront to God, and a source of destruction. It represents a spirit of self-sufficiency, a refusal to acknowledge dependence on God, and an attempt to usurp God's rightful place. This pride is not merely an outward display but an inward orientation of the heart that leads to rebellion and spiritual blindness. The Scriptures repeatedly warn that God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble ([[Proverbs 3:34]], [[James 4:6]], [[1 Peter 5:5]]). The humbling of the גָּבֹהַּ is a recurring theme, particularly in prophetic judgment, where God brings low all that is lofty in human estimation to demonstrate His sole exaltation.
### Summary
The Hebrew word גָּבֹהַּ (gâbôahh, `{{H1364}}`) is a potent term carrying a dual semantic weight. On one hand, it describes physical height and, more significantly, the glorious, transcendent majesty of God, inspiring reverence and worship. On the other hand, and more frequently in a moral context, גָּבֹהַּ denotes human pride, arrogance, and haughtiness—a disposition consistently condemned as an abomination to the Lord. The biblical narrative uses this word to powerfully contrast God's rightful exaltation with humanity's sinful self-exaltation. Understanding גָּבֹהַּ illuminates the core biblical call to humility, recognizing God's supreme loftiness and submitting to His will, rather than succumbing to the destructive nature of human pride.
TRV