The term "loftier" is often used in the Bible to describe something that is elevated, exalted, or of high status. It can refer to physical height, as well as metaphorical or spiritual elevation. In the context of Scripture, "loftier" is frequently associated with God’s majesty, the pride of individuals, or the elevated status of certain places or objects.

Divine Majesty and Exaltation

The concept of loftiness is frequently applied to God, emphasizing His supreme authority and exalted nature. In Isaiah 57:15 , it is written, "For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: 'I dwell in a high and holy place, and also with the contrite and lowly of spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.'" Here, God's loftiness is contrasted with His willingness to dwell with the humble, highlighting His transcendence and immanence.

Human Pride and Arrogance

Loftiness can also describe human pride and arrogance, which are often condemned in Scripture. Proverbs 16:18 warns, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." The loftiness of human pride is seen as a precursor to downfall, as it sets individuals against the humility that God desires. The Tower of Babel narrative in Genesis 11 illustrates humanity's attempt to reach divine heights through their own efforts, resulting in God's intervention and the scattering of peoples.

Elevated Places and Objects

In the Old Testament, "loftier" can describe elevated places, often associated with worship or significant events. High places were frequently used for worship, both of Yahweh and of false gods. These locations were physically elevated, symbolizing a closer proximity to the divine. However, the worship at these high places was often condemned when it strayed from the worship of the one true God, as seen in 2 Kings 23:5 , where King Josiah removes the idolatrous priests who burned incense on the high places.

Spiritual Aspiration

The loftiness of spiritual aspiration is encouraged in the New Testament, where believers are called to set their minds on things above. Colossians 3:1-2 exhorts, "Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." This passage encourages believers to seek a loftier perspective, focusing on spiritual realities rather than earthly concerns.

Conclusion

The term "loftier" in the Bible encompasses a range of meanings, from the exalted nature of God to the dangers of human pride, and the call to spiritual elevation. It serves as a reminder of the divine majesty and the call for humility and spiritual focus in the life of believers.1361b. gabah -- to be high, exalted
... root Definition to be high, exalted NASB Word Usage build high (1), exalt (2), exalted
(4), haughty (4), high (4), higher (3), lifted (3), loftier (1), made it ...
/hebrew/1361b.htm - 5k

Argument. --God is Above all Things, Himself Containing all Things ...
... Argument."God is Above All Things, Himself Containing All Things, Immense, Eternal,
Transcending the Mind of Man; Inexplicable in Discourse, Loftier Than All ...
/.../chapter ii argument god is above.htm

Strengthened with Might
... They open out one into the other like some majestic suite of apartments in a great
palace-temple, each leading into a loftier and more spacious hall, each ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/strengthened with might.htm

The Sacrifice
... They differed from these not in matter or form, but in the loftier moral and spiritual
tone which formed the peculiar and distinguishing mark of the Hebrew ...
//christianbookshelf.org/beibitz/gloria crucis/viii the sacrifice.htm

The Message.
... Thee is sick?'". Nay, it is a loftier argument by which they would stir the
infinite depths of the Fountain of love! They had "known ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/v the message.htm

On Fortitude. ...
... [261] Now let us discuss fortitude, which (being a loftier virtue than the rest)
is divided into two parts, as it concerns matters of war and matters at home. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xxxv on fortitude .htm

Epistle xv. To Moyses and Maximus, and the Rest of the Confessors.
... more when you remember me in prayer, since, already breathing only celestial things,
and meditating only divine things, you ascend to loftier heights, even by ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle xv to moyses and.htm

A Gluttonous Man and a Winebibber
... who, like the Master, come eating and drinking, and yet ever hold all appetites
and desires rigidly under control, and subordinate them all to loftier purposes ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/a gluttonous man and a.htm

A vision of the Latter-Day Glories
... Zion. As you stand there, you observe that it is but a very little hill.
Bashan is far loftier, and Carmel and Sharon outvie it. As ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/a vision of the latter-day.htm

Fences and Serpents
... which own no higher authority or lawgiver than society and custom, you must make
up your mind even more certainly than in regard of loftier laws, that if you ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/fences and serpents.htm

Christ's Strange Thanksgiving
... and cultivated thought. The loftier the soul, the loftier all its attributes,
the nobler should be, may be, its religion. It is ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/christs strange thanksgiving.htm

Loftier (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Loftier (1 Occurrence). Ezekiel 31:5 Therefore
its stature was exalted above all the trees of the field ...
/l/loftier.htm - 6k

Loftily (4 Occurrences)

/l/loftily.htm - 8k

Loft (2 Occurrences)

/l/loft.htm - 7k

Righteousness (442 Occurrences)
... From the basis of fear thus wrought into the individuals of the group
have come all our loftier movements toward righteousness. ...
/r/righteousness.htm - 56k

Magician (5 Occurrences)
... Among the ancient Indians, the Rig Veda occupies much loftier ground than
the much later Atharva Veda. III. Magic and Religion. ...
/m/magician.htm - 24k

Magic (12 Occurrences)
... Among the ancient Indians, the Rig Veda occupies much loftier ground than
the much later Atharva Veda. III. Magic and Religion. ...
/m/magic.htm - 29k

Immortal (3 Occurrences)
... 590-91), and moved JS Mill to speak of it as the only hope which gave adequate scope
to the human faculties and feelings, "the loftier aspirations being no ...
/i/immortal.htm - 33k

Immortality (6 Occurrences)
... 590-91), and moved JS Mill to speak of it as the only hope which gave adequate scope
to the human faculties and feelings, "the loftier aspirations being no ...
/i/immortality.htm - 35k

Jesus (10891 Occurrences)
... a simple religion and an easy-going morality, is utterly mistaken; on the contrary,
the righteousness sketched by the Preacher is far loftier than that ever ...
/j/jesus.htm - 101k

Son (25967 Occurrences)
... they must signify, this was substantially the view of all, although this common
conception went in two directions-some noting especially the loftier and more ...
/s/son.htm - 48k

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