Lexical Summary gabah: To be high, exalted, lofty, proud Original Word: גָּבָהּ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance high, proud From gabahh; lofty (literally or figuratively) -- high, proud. see HEBREW gabahh NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originthe same as gaboah, q.v. Topical Lexicon Definition and Scope Strong’s Hebrew 1362 describes a moral and attitudinal condition of being “high,” “lofty,” or “haughty.” While the root idea can denote elevated position, all four occurrences carry an ethical nuance: elevation of self in opposition to God’s standards of humility. Occurrences in Scripture 1. Psalm 101:5 – “Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, I will put to silence; the one with haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not endure.” Literary and Poetic Nuance In Psalm 101:5 the proud heart is paired with “haughty eyes,” a Hebrew parallelism that links inner disposition and outward bearing. Proverbs 16:5 uses courtroom language (“detestable,” “not go unpunished”) to stress divine judgment. Ecclesiastes 7:8 contrasts pride with patience, showing that self-exaltation undermines perseverance. Ezekiel 31:3 shifts to imagery: the towering cedar personifies Assyria’s imperial pride, indicating that moral arrogance and national hubris share the same root. Theological Significance Pride is consistently portrayed as antagonistic to God. These verses stand within a wider biblical witness that “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). The word group connects the physical idea of height with the spiritual peril of self-promotion, underscoring that attempting to rise above rightful creaturely limits invites divine resistance. Historical and Cultural Background Ancient Near Eastern kings often adopted lofty titles and monumental architecture to proclaim greatness. Israel’s prophets employed the language of height to critique such self-glorification. Ezekiel’s reference to Assyria’s cedar would have reminded exiles in Babylon that even the mightiest empire fell when it exalted itself. The wisdom writers, living amid surrounding cultures that prized honor, argued that true honor is found in humility before God (see Proverbs 15:33). Ministry and Practical Application • Personal discipleship: Believers are called to cultivate a “lowly” heart, recognizing that hidden pride is as offensive as overt arrogance. Christological Perspective Jesus Christ embodies the antithesis of גָּבָהּ. Though “existing in the form of God,” He “emptied Himself” (Philippians 2:6-7), modeling humility and providing the atonement for human pride. Union with Christ enables believers to “have this mind” (Philippians 2:5), overthrowing the tyranny of self-exaltation. Related Terms and Concepts • “Pride” (Hebrew gaon, Greek hubris) – the broader semantic field. Summary Strong’s Hebrew 1362 confronts the perennial temptation to elevate self above God and others. Whether in personal attitudes, societal structures, or imperial ambitions, Scripture declares such loftiness detestable and destined for judgment. The remedy is continual submission to the One who “dwells in the high and holy place” yet is “with the contrite and lowly of spirit” (Isaiah 57:15). Forms and Transliterations גְּֽבַהּ־ גְּבַהּ־ גבה־ וּגְבַ֣הּ וגבה מִגְּבַהּ־ מגבה־ gə·ḇah- gəḇah- gevah mig·gə·ḇah- miggəḇah- miggevah ū·ḡə·ḇah ūḡəḇah ugeVahLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 101:5 HEB: אוֹת֪וֹ אַ֫צְמִ֥ית גְּֽבַהּ־ עֵ֭ינַיִם וּרְחַ֣ב KJV: him will I cut off: him that hath an high look INT: his neighbor will destroy an high look and an arrogant Proverbs 16:5 Ecclesiastes 7:8 Ezekiel 31:3 4 Occurrences |
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