Original Word: גֵּאֶה
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: ge'eh
Pronunciation: geh-eh
Phonetic Spelling: (gay-eh')
KJV: proud
NASB: proud, who is proud, pride
Word Origin: [from H1342 (גָּאָה - highly exalted)]

1. lofty
2. (figuratively) arrogant

proud

From ga'ah; lofty; figuratively, arrogant -- proud.

see HEBREW ga'ah

Word Origin
from gaah
Definition
proud
NASB Translation
pride (1), proud (5), who is proud (3).

גֵּאֶה adjective proud, Job 40:11,12; Isaiah 2:12; Jeremiah 48:29; plural גֵּאִים Psalm 94:2; Psalm 140:6; Proverbs 15:25; Proverbs 16:19; construct גְּאֵי Psalm 123:4 Qr גאי יונים (> Kt גאייונים), yet compare De and others

General Meaning and Theological Emphasis

גֵּאֶה consistently portrays a heart‐attitude of self-exaltation that sets itself against the LORD. Scripture treats such pride not merely as an internal disposition but as an active resistance to God’s sovereign rule. Throughout the Old Testament the proud are contrasted with the humble, the oppressed, and those who fear the LORD. Divine judgment against גֵּאֶה individuals or nations underscores the unchanging principle that “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (compare James 4:6).

Occurrences and Immediate Settings

• Job 40:11–12 – In answering Job, God challenges him to humble “every proud man,” thereby revealing that only divine power can ultimately abase human arrogance.
• Psalm 94:2 – The psalmist pleads, “Rise up, O Judge of the earth; render to the proud what they deserve,” linking pride with injustice that demands retribution.
• Psalm 140:5 – David laments, “The proud hide a snare for me,” showing how arrogant opponents actively plot against the righteous.
• Proverbs 15:25 – “The LORD tears down the house of the proud,” a warning that personal security built on arrogance is illusory.
• Proverbs 16:19 – “Better to be lowly with the humble than to divide the spoil with the proud,” presenting humility as more valuable than material gain achieved through alliance with the arrogant.
• Isaiah 2:12 – The prophet announces a coming “day against all the proud and lofty,” situating pride at the center of eschatological judgment.
• Jeremiah 48:29 – Moab’s national arrogance is cataloged in five intensifying terms, illustrating collective גֵּאֶה that invites corporate ruin.

God’s Attitude Toward the גֵּאֶה

1. Certain Judgment: Whether individual (Job, Proverbs) or national (Isaiah, Jeremiah), pride inevitably meets divine opposition.
2. Immediate and Eschatological: Present-tense acts of God (“tears down,” Proverbs 15:25) anticipate the future “day of the LORD” (Isaiah 2:12) when all arrogance will be finally humbled.
3. Moral Revolt: Pride functions as a practical denial of God’s sovereignty, aligning the proud with “the wicked” (Job 40:12; Psalm 94:2).

Contrasts With the Humble

The humble are protected (Proverbs 15:25), enjoy fellowship with the righteous (Proverbs 16:19), and ultimately share in God’s vindication. By contrast the proud invite divine dismantling of their ambitions, relationships, and even national stability.

Historical and Cultural Background

Ancient Near Eastern rulers boasted of conquests and architectural achievements to display self-glory. Prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah rebuke such royal propaganda, reminding Israel and the surrounding nations that true greatness belongs to the LORD alone. Moab’s arrogance (Jeremiah 48:29) mirrors inscriptions of Mesha, king of Moab, illustrating how political pride and idolatry intertwine.

Christological Reflections

Jesus embodies the antithesis of גֵּאֶה: “He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death” (Philippians 2:8). His incarnation and crucifixion expose the folly of pride and establish the pattern for kingdom greatness (Matthew 23:12). At His return He will enact the Isaiah 2:12 verdict, vanquishing all remaining arrogance.

Practical Ministry Applications

• Discipleship: Cultivate humility through regular confession and service, knowing that pride blinds hearts to the gospel.
• Preaching: Use narratives like Moab’s downfall to warn congregations against cultural or nationalistic arrogance.
• Counseling: Identify pride as a root issue behind relational conflict, reminding counselees that “The LORD detests all the proud of heart” (Proverbs 16:5).
• Leadership: Encourage accountability structures that resist self-promotion and highlight servant leadership modeled by Christ.

Related Hebrew and Greek Terms

Hebrew גָּאָה (gaʾah, “to be high, exalt”) and Greek ὑπερήφανος (huperēphanos, “proud”) share the same theological trajectory: self-exaltation opposed by God. Together they form a canonical thread from Genesis 11’s tower builders to Revelation 18’s fall of Babylon.

Summary

גֵּאֶה depicts a posture of heart that exalts itself against God and others. Scripture uniformly announces judgment on such pride while promising grace and protection to the humble. The believer, called to imitate the humility of Christ, must therefore renounce every form of גֵּאֶה thought, word, and deed, trusting the LORD to exalt in due time.

גֵּ֝אֶ֗ה גֵּ֭אִים גֵּ֭אֶה גֵּאִֽים׃ גֵּאֶ֖ה גֵּאֶ֣ה גֵאִ֨ים ׀ גאה גאים גאים׃ gê’eh gê’îm ḡê’îm gê·’eh gê·’îm ḡê·’îm geEh geImInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts