Lexical Summary gaah: To rise up, to be exalted, to triumph Original Word: גָּאָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance gloriously, grow up, increase, be risen, triumph A primitive root; to mount up; hence, in general, to rise, (figuratively) be majestic -- gloriously, grow up, increase, be risen, triumph. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to rise up NASB Translation grow (1), highly exalted (2), lifted (1), risen (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs גָּאָה verb rise up (Aramaic Pe`al (ᵑ7 1 Samuel 2:5) & often Ethpe`el אֶתְגָּאֵי,  be boastful, proud, compare also Late Hebrew) — Qal Perfect ׳ג Exodus 15:1,21, גָּאוּ Ezekiel 47:5; Imperfect יִגְאֶה Job 8:11; Job 10:16; Infinitive absolute גָּאֹה Exodus 15:1,21; — 1 rise up, of waters Ezekiel 47:5. 2 grow up, of plants Job 8:11. 3 be lifted up, exalted, of head Job 10:16, of ׳י in triumph Exodus 15:1,21. גאה (probably √ of following; Biblical Hebrew גָּאָה rise up). Topical Lexicon Essence of the Term The verb גָּאָה captures the idea of rising beyond normal limits—whether in victory, stature, swelling waters, or presumptive pride. In Scripture it is used to spotlight either the unrivaled elevation of the LORD or the precarious self-exaltation of people and nature. Key Biblical Scenes • Exodus 15:1, 21 – The Song of Moses and Miriam erupts after the Red Sea deliverance: “I will sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted”. Here גָּאָה underscores the LORD’s dramatic triumph that dwarfs Egypt’s power. Varied Shades of Usage 1. Victorious Exaltation – Applied to the LORD alone, conveying unrivaled supremacy (Exodus 15). Divine Majesty in Salvation Exodus 15 anchors the term in Israel’s redemption history. The same verb that announces God’s victory also mocks Pharaoh’s supposed grandeur. The juxtaposition teaches that true exaltation belongs to the LORD alone; every competing power will be brought low. Human Pride and Fragility Job’s dialogues reveal how quickly human greatness evaporates. Bildad’s botanical metaphor and Job’s own admission expose the instability of self-made elevation. Scripture therefore treats pride not merely as arrogance but as ignorance of dependence on God. Creation Imagery and Eschatological Hope Ezekiel’s rising river transforms a barren landscape, prefiguring New-Covenant life and Revelation 22’s river of crystal. The upward surge of water is not chaotic judgment but ordered blessing, showing that when God “rises up,” creation flourishes. Ministry Insights • Worship: Celebrate God’s incomparable exaltation; songs that echo Exodus 15 remind congregations that salvation is His work from start to finish. Intertextual Echoes in the New Testament Though the exact Hebrew term is absent, its theology surfaces when Mary magnifies the LORD “who has scattered those who are proud in the thoughts of their hearts… and exalted the humble” (Luke 1:51-52) and when James cites, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). The same divine pattern of raising and lowering continues. Devotional and Practical Applications • Sing Exodus 15 after personal deliverances to realign focus on God’s triumph. In every text גָּאָה reminds us that genuine, lasting exaltation flows from God; all other rising is temporary unless anchored in Him. Forms and Transliterations גָּאָ֔ה גָא֤וּ גָאֹ֣ה גאה גאו הֲיִֽגְאֶה־ היגאה־ וְ֭יִגְאֶה ויגאה gā’āh ḡā’ōh ḡā’ū gā·’āh ḡā·’ōh ḡā·’ū gaAh gaOh gaU hă·yiḡ·’eh- hăyiḡ’eh- hayigeh Veyigeh wə·yiḡ·’eh wəyiḡ’ehLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 15:1 HEB: לַֽיהוָה֙ כִּֽי־ גָאֹ֣ה גָּאָ֔ה ס֥וּס NAS: to the LORD, for He is highly exalted; KJV: unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: INT: to the LORD for is highly exalted the horse Exodus 15:1 Exodus 15:21 Exodus 15:21 Job 8:11 Job 10:16 Ezekiel 47:5 7 Occurrences |
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