Definition and General Understanding:

Loftiness, in a biblical context, often refers to an elevated state of mind or attitude, characterized by pride, arrogance, or self-exaltation. It can also denote physical height or grandeur, but more frequently, it is used metaphorically to describe a spiritual or moral condition that stands in opposition to humility and submission to God.

Biblical References:

1. Isaiah 2:11-12 : "The proud look of man will be humbled, and the loftiness of men will be brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day. For the Day of the LORD of Hosts will come against all the proud and lofty, against all that is exalted—it will be humbled." This passage highlights God's judgment against human pride and self-exaltation, emphasizing that only the LORD will be exalted.

2. Isaiah 10:33 : "Behold, the Lord, the LORD of Hosts, will lop off the branches with terrifying power, and the tall trees will be cut down, the lofty ones will be felled." Here, loftiness is associated with those who are high and mighty, who will be brought down by God's power.

3. Isaiah 57:15 : "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 in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.'" This verse contrasts God's true loftiness with human pride, showing that God values humility and contrition.

Theological Implications:

Loftiness, when associated with human pride, is consistently portrayed as a negative trait in Scripture. It is often linked with rebellion against God and a refusal to acknowledge His sovereignty. The Bible warns that such an attitude leads to downfall and destruction, as God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).

Moral and Spiritual Lessons:

1. Humility Over Pride: The biblical teaching on loftiness serves as a reminder of the importance of humility. Believers are called to humble themselves before God, recognizing their dependence on Him and their need for His grace.

2. God's Sovereignty: The passages concerning loftiness underscore the sovereignty of God. Human attempts at self-exaltation are futile in the face of God's ultimate authority and power.

3. Judgment and Restoration: While God judges the lofty and proud, He also offers restoration to those who are humble and contrite. This dual theme of judgment and grace is central to the biblical narrative.

Practical Application:

Believers are encouraged to examine their own hearts for any traces of loftiness or pride. In relationships with others, they are to practice humility, considering others more significant than themselves (Philippians 2:3). In their relationship with God, they are to submit to His will, acknowledging His greatness and their own limitations.(n.) The state or quality of being lofty.LOFTILY; LOFTINESS; LOFTY

lof'-ti-li, lof'-ti-nes: The first form is only in Psalm 73:8, where it means "haughtily," as if from on high. The second is found only in Jeremiah 48:29, where the loftiness of Moab also means his haughtiness, his groundless self-conceit.

Lofty likewise means ' "haughty," "lifted up" (compare Psalm 131:1 Isaiah 2:11 Proverbs 30:13). In Isaiah 26:5 it refers to a self-secure and boastful city. In 57:15 it is used in a good sense of God who really is high and supreme. Isaiah uses the word more than all the other sacred writers put together.

7863. si -- loftiness
... loftiness. Transliteration: si Phonetic Spelling: (see) Short Definition: loftiness.
Word Origin from nasa Definition loftiness NASB Word Usage loftiness (1). ...
/hebrew/7863.htm - 6k

1363. gobah -- height
... Word Origin from gabah Definition height NASB Word Usage dignity (1), haughtiness
(1), haughty (1), height (6), high (2), loftiness (1), lofty (1), pride (1 ...
/hebrew/1363.htm - 6k

1365. gabhuth -- haughtiness
... Word Origin from gabah Definition haughtiness NASB Word Usage pride (1), proud
(1). loftiness, lofty. From gabahh; pride -- loftiness, lofty. see HEBREW gabahh. ...
/hebrew/1365.htm - 6k

4791. marom -- height
... above* (1), exalted (1), exalted places (1), haughtily (2), heaven (1), heavens
(1), height (4), heights (9), high (28), high places (2), loftiness (1), lofty ...
/hebrew/4791.htm - 6k

7312. rum -- height, haughtiness
... Word Origin from rum Definition height, haughtiness NASB Word Usage haughtiness
(2), haughty (1), height (1), loftiness (2), self-exaltation* (1). ...
/hebrew/7312.htm - 6k

The Loftiness of Humility
... SERMON XX. THE LOFTINESS OF HUMILITY. 1 Peter v.5. Be clothed with humility: for
God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. This is St. ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xx the loftiness of.htm

The Loftiness of God
... SERMON XXXIX. THE LOFTINESS OF GOD. Isaiah 57:15. For thus saith the high
and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy ...
/.../kingsley/the good news of god/sermon xxxix the loftiness of.htm

After Praising Judas' and Jonathan's Loftiness of Mind, the ...
... by St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan. Book I. Chapter XLI. After praising Judas' and
Jonathan's loftiness of mind, the constancy of the martyrs in their? ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xli after praising judas.htm

The Second Rill Enlightens the Understanding
... [52]. The incomprehensible richness and loftiness of the Divine Nature, its outpouring
generosity toward all in common, fills a man with wonder. ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter xxxvii the second rill.htm

The Way of Death.
... hypocrisies, double-heartedness, deceit, haughtiness, depravity, self-will, greediness,
filthy talking, jealousy, over-confidence, loftiness, boastfulness; 2 ...
/.../various/the teaching of the twelve apostles/chapter v name way of.htm

John Chapter xiii. 10-15.
... Here no elation is possible to loftiness so great, no lie to the truth: the profit
is ours to be the subjects of such loftiness, the servants of the truth. ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate lviii john chapter xiii.htm

That Our Irrational Passions have their Rise from Kindred with ...
... elevation when he bids us constantly to "think those things that are above [1667] ;"
and so we find that every such motion, when elevated by loftiness of mind ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/xviii that our irrational passions.htm

On the Faith and Piety of Theodosius Augustus.
... promised to pardon, and, being laid hold of by the discipline of the church, did
penance in such a way that the sight of his imperial loftiness prostrated made ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 26 on the faith and.htm

John Chapter vi. 15-44
... with them? Something, therefore, was meant by His escaping. What means,
He escaped? His loftiness could not be understood. For of ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xxv john chapter vi.htm

On the Immeasurable Dignity of Temporal Suffering.
... she may not escape from Me; her ways I strew with tribulation, so that she may not
set the foot of her heart's desire anywhere except in the loftiness of My ...
/.../suso/a little book of eternal wisdom/chapter xiii on the immeasurable.htm

Loftiness (10 Occurrences)
... LOFTILY; LOFTINESS; LOFTY. ... The second is found only in Jeremiah 48:29, where the
loftiness of Moab also means his haughtiness, his groundless self-conceit. ...
/l/loftiness.htm - 10k

Loftily (4 Occurrences)
... LOFTILY; LOFTINESS; LOFTY. ... The second is found only in Jeremiah 48:29, where the
loftiness of Moab also means his haughtiness, his groundless self-conceit. ...
/l/loftily.htm - 8k

Lofty (44 Occurrences)
... LOFTILY; LOFTINESS; LOFTY. ... The second is found only in Jeremiah 48:29, where the
loftiness of Moab also means his haughtiness, his groundless self-conceit. ...
/l/lofty.htm - 20k

Haughtiness (11 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 2:17 The loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men
shall be brought low; and Yahweh alone shall be exalted in that day. ...
/h/haughtiness.htm - 10k

Overweening (3 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 48:29 We have heard of the pride of Moab, that he is very proud; his loftiness,
and his pride, and his arrogance, and the haughtiness of his heart. ...
/o/overweening.htm - 7k

Eminence (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) An elevated position, either in rank, office,
or celebrity; social or moral loftiness; high rank; distinction; preferment. ...
/e/eminence.htm - 7k

Dignity (14 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) Quality suited to inspire respect or reverence; loftiness and grace;
impressiveness; stateliness; -- said of //en, manner, style, etc. ...
/d/dignity.htm - 11k

Majesty (67 Occurrences)
... which inspires awe or reverence; grandeur; exalted dignity, whether proceeding from
rank, character, or bearing; imposing loftiness; stateliness; -- usually ...
/m/majesty.htm - 26k

Pride (277 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) Show; ostentation; glory. 7. (n.) Highest pitch; elevation reached;
loftiness; prime; glory; as, to be in the pride of one's life. ...
/p/pride.htm - 37k

Conceit (14 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 48:29 We have heard of the pride of Moab, that he is very proud; his loftiness,
and his pride, and his arrogance, and the haughtiness of his heart. ...
/c/conceit.htm - 11k

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