### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **yiphʻâh**, represented by `{{H3314}}`, refers to **splendor** or **brightness**. It is a rare term, appearing just **2 times** in 2 verses in scripture. Though its base meaning denotes brightness, it is used figuratively to describe a majestic quality that, when viewed with pride, becomes a catalyst for corruption and downfall.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Both occurrences of `{{H3314}}` are found in the prophecy against the king of Tyrus in Ezekiel 28. In this context, **brightness** is not a virtue but a source of ruinous pride. The passage states that the king's heart was lifted up because of his beauty, leading him to corrupt his wisdom on account of his **brightness** [[Ezekiel 28:17]]. As a consequence of this arrogance, God declares that He will bring strangers to draw their swords against the king's wisdom and "defile" his **brightness** [[Ezekiel 28:7]]. In both verses, the term is directly linked to beauty `{{H3308}}` and wisdom `{{H2451}}`, showing how positive attributes can be perverted.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help clarify the context of pride and judgment surrounding `{{H3314}}`:
* `{{H3308}}` **yŏphîy** (beauty): This word for **beauty** is paired with brightness in both instances. It is this quality that causes the king's heart to be lifted up in pride [[Ezekiel 28:17]], showing a direct link between external appearance and internal corruption.
* `{{H2451}}` **chokmâh** (wisdom): The king's **wisdom** is presented as a valuable attribute that is ultimately ruined. The text explicitly states that he corrupted his **wisdom** as a result of his brightness [[Ezekiel 28:17]].
* `{{H1361}}` **gâbahh** (to be lofty, haughty): This term identifies the root of the downfall: a heart that "was lifted up" with pride [[Ezekiel 28:17]]. This internal state of haughtiness is the direct cause of the resulting corruption.
* `{{H7843}}` **shâchath** (to corrupt, destroy, ruin): This word defines the consequence of the king's pride. His splendor led him to **corrupt** his own wisdom, turning a divine gift into a source of destruction [[Ezekiel 28:17]].
* `{{H2490}}` **châlal** (to profane, defile): This describes the ultimate judgment against misplaced splendor. God sends foreign nations to **defile** the king's brightness, demonstrating that what was once glorious can be polluted and brought to ruin [[Ezekiel 28:7]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H3314}}` is concentrated in its specific context, offering a clear lesson on pride.
* **The Peril of Pride:** The usage of `{{H3314}}` serves as a potent warning. The king's "brightness" and "beauty" `{{H3308}}` lead directly to his heart being "lifted up" `{{H1361}}`, which results in his fall [[Ezekiel 28:17]]. This illustrates the principle that splendor, when it fosters self-exaltation, invites divine judgment.
* **Corruption of Divine Gifts:** Wisdom `{{H2451}}` and beauty are inherently positive qualities. However, the narrative shows how these gifts can be **corrupted** `{{H7843}}` when they become a source of pride rather than gratitude. The brightness becomes the very reason for the corruption of wisdom.
* **Divine Judgment on Splendor:** The fate of the king's brightness is to be **defiled** `{{H2490}}` by the "terrible" `{{H6184}}` of the nations `{{H1471}}` wielding swords `{{H2719}}` [[Ezekiel 28:7]]. This shows that God will bring judgment against any created thing whose glory is put in place of His own.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H3314}}` is more than a simple reference to brightness. It is a focused and powerful term used exclusively in Ezekiel 28 to illustrate the grave danger of pride. It teaches how magnificent qualities like beauty and wisdom can become the very instruments of one's own destruction when a heart is lifted up. The word **yiphʻâh** powerfully demonstrates that splendor, when detached from humility, leads to corruption and will ultimately be defiled by divine judgment.
TRV