Lexical Summary gabhuth: Height, exaltation, pride Original Word: גַּבְהוּת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance loftiness, lofty From gabahh; pride -- loftiness, lofty. see HEBREW gabahh NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom gabah Definition haughtiness NASB Translation pride (1), proud (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs גַּבְהוּת noun feminine haughtiness, Isaiah 2:11,17. Topical Lexicon Overview The noun גַּבְהוּת appears twice in the prophetic corpus, both times in Isaiah chapter 2. It speaks of an elevation that has become synonymous with human arrogance—“loftiness” that sets itself against the unrivaled greatness of the LORD. Whereas the biblical narrative repeatedly affirms legitimate elevation (for example, Mount Zion as the “mountain of the LORD”), גַּבְהוּת is consistently portrayed as an illegitimate height that must be brought low. Its rarity intensifies its force, allowing Isaiah to spotlight a defining sin of Judah’s leadership and people: pride. Occurrences and Immediate Context Isaiah 2:11 “The proud look of man will be humbled, and the loftiness of men brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.” Isaiah 2:17 “The pride of man will be humbled and the loftiness of men brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.” Both verses form an inclusio around a catalogue of everything men deem exalted: cedars of Lebanon, lofty mountains, high towers, and the ships of Tarshish. The repetition of גַּבְהוּת brackets the entire section, underscoring the certainty of divine intervention that will flatten every human elevation. Prophetic Message 1. Supreme Exaltation of the LORD – The phrase “the LORD alone will be exalted” is the theological axis of Isaiah 2. גַּבְהוּת functions rhetorically to contrast the transient height of human pretension with the eternal height of God. Historical Setting Isaiah’s ministry (eighth century B.C.) overlapped the prosperous reigns of Uzziah and Jotham, when Judah’s wealth and military strength fostered complacency. Archaeological finds confirm expansion in Jerusalem and fortified cities, matching Isaiah’s imagery of “fortified walls” and “high towers.” The prophet confronts this sociopolitical zenith, tracing it to spiritual arrogance symbolized by גַּבְהוּת. Intertextual Echoes Though the term itself is rare, its theme reverberates throughout Scripture: These parallels confirm the canonical consistency of God’s opposition to arrogant heights. Theological Significance 1. Anthropology – Humanity, created “a little lower than the angels” (Psalm 8:5), distorts its derivative glory into autonomous self-exaltation. גַּבְהוּת names this distortion. Practical and Ministry Application • Preaching – Isaiah 2 provides a homiletic framework for confronting idolatries of status, technology, and affluence. The rare term גַּבְהוּת invites congregations to identify modern equivalents of “lofty cedars” and “high towers.” Related Terms and Concepts • שְׂגָב (“height,” “stronghold”) – sometimes positive, distinguishing it from the negative nuance of גַּבְהוּת. Summation גַּבְהוּת crystallizes the prophetic critique of self-exaltation. Isaiah employs it sparingly yet powerfully, framing a vision in which every human pretense collapses before the unrivaled majesty of God. Its message endures: in the day the LORD arises, only He will stand tall, and every soul that has taken refuge in pride must either be humbled or seek the shelter of grace in the exalted Christ. Forms and Transliterations גַּבְה֣וּת גַּבְה֤וּת גבהות gaḇ·hūṯ gaḇhūṯ gavHutLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Isaiah 2:11 HEB: עֵינֵ֞י גַּבְה֤וּת אָדָם֙ שָׁפֵ֔ל NAS: The proud look of man KJV: The lofty looks of man INT: look the proud of man will be abased Isaiah 2:17 2 Occurrences |
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