גָּבָהּ
𐤂𐤁𐤄
gâbâhh
H1362 adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Lofty, high in position or physical elevation; by extension, haughty or proud in attitude. The term denotes literal height (e.g., a high place, structure, or mountain) and figurative elevation in status, rank, or spirit (such as pride, arrogance, or being exalted over others).
Semantic Range
high (of physical height or position), lofty, exalted, proud, haughty, arrogant; physically elevated features or objects; moral or spiritual elevation (positive or negative depending on context)
Root / Etymology
From the root גבה (g-b-h), which fundamentally means 'to be high, to be elevated.' The adjective גָּבָהּ is formed to denote the state or quality of being high, lofty, or elevated, whether physically or in an abstract sense (such as social or emotional elevation).
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, גָּבָהּ is used both in a descriptive, purely physical sense (as of the height of a tree, mountain, or structure) and in a figurative sense (to express concepts of pride or haughtiness). In monarchic and prophetic literature, the term often marks distinction between true exaltation (e.g., of YHWH or the righteous) and wrongful elevation (e.g., human pride or arrogance). Later, in post-exilic and Second Temple literature, the connotation of pride or arrogance may become more pronounced, reflecting broader usage trends among cognate Semitic languages. The Greek Septuagint typically translates גָּבָהּ with terms for 'high' or 'proud' (e.g., ὑψηλός, ὑπερήφανος). English translations often shift between 'lofty,' 'high,' 'exalted,' or 'proud' depending on the context, but no single English word fully covers both the neutral (height) and negative (pride) usages. The term is distinct from רָם (ram, 'high, exalted'), which can focus more on dignity or elevated status, while גָּבָהּ more frequently carries either the literal physical or the negative moral connotation.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from גָּבַהּ; lofty (literally or figuratively); high, proud.
Bantu Hebrew
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+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
גבה (g-b-h) — to be high, to be lofty, to be exalted
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1361 | גָּבַהּ | he was lofty |
| H1363 | גֹּבַהּ | in their loftiness |
| H1364 | גָּבֹהַּ | lofty |
| H1365 | גַּבְהוּת | loftiness of |
| H3011 | יׇגְבְּהָה | High-Place |
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1362-01 |
גְּֽבַהּ | gevah | HAamsc |
haughty | loftiness | loftiness | 2 |
H1362-02 |
מִ/גְּבַהּ | migevah | HR/Aamsc |
loftiness | loftiness | 1 | |
H1362-03 |
וּ/גְבַ֣הּ | ugevah | HC/Aamsc |
and towering | and lofty | and lofty | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1362-03 |
Ezekiel 31:3 | וּ/גְבַ֣הּ | ugevah | HC/Aamsc |
and towering | and lofty | and lofty |
H1362-01 |
Psalms 101:5 | גְּֽבַהּ | gevah | HAamsc |
haughty | loftiness | loftiness |
H1362-01 |
Proverbs 16:5 | גְּבַהּ | gevah | HAamsc |
proud | loftiness | loftiness |
H1362-02 |
Ecclesiastes 7:8 | מִ/גְּבַהּ | migevah | HR/Aamsc |
loftiness | loftiness |