Original Word: שִׂיא
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: siy'
Pronunciation: see
Phonetic Spelling: (see)
KJV: excellency
NASB: loftiness
Word Origin: [from the same as H7721 (שׂוֹא - Devastation) by permutation]

1. elevation

excellency

From the same as sow' by permutation; elevation -- excellency.

see HEBREW sow'

Word Origin
from nasa
Definition
loftiness
NASB Translation
loftiness (1).

[שִׂיא] noun masculine loftiness, figurative of pride: — אִםיַֿעֲלֶה לַשָּׁמַיִם שִׂיאוֺ Job 20:6 (of wicked).

Semantic Range and Nuances

The word conveys the idea of an elevated position—whether physical height, social prominence, or inward pride. It pictures that moment when a person, institution, or empire appears to stand unassailably “above” everything else, only to be shown vulnerable before the Lord.

Biblical Context and Usage

Job 20:6 is the single occurrence: “Though his loftiness reaches the heavens and his head touches the clouds” (Job 20:6). Zophar describes the wicked man whose apparent ascendancy fills the horizon. The verse is the climax of Zophar’s portrait, stressing how high wickedness can rise before God brings it low (Job 20:7–9). In Job’s dialogue the term therefore functions as a measuring rod of false security.

Comparative Scriptural Motifs

• Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:4): humanity’s collective “loftiness” ends in scattering.
• King of Babylon’s boast (Isaiah 14:13–15): “I will ascend to heaven….” The same imagery exposes satanic pride.
• Edom’s self-confidence in its cliff dwellings (Obadiah 3–4).
• Proverbs 16:18; 29:23; 1 Peter 5:5–6: consistent teaching that pride precedes downfall and humility precedes exaltation.

Theological Themes

1. Divine Sovereignty: Human ascent is always conditional, but the LORD “brings low those whose eyes are haughty” (Psalm 18:27).
2. Transience of Wicked Prosperity: Job 20:6 reminds readers that dominant cultures, movements, or individuals remain under the same moral laws as everyone else.
3. Ethical Call to Humility: The text implicitly commands believers to locate security not in personal stature but in covenant relationship with God.

Historical and Cultural Insights

Ancient Near Eastern kings built ziggurats and towering palaces to display supremacy. Zophar borrows that architectural metaphor to depict the pride of the ungodly. The language would evoke for Job’s audience the sight of rulers whose monuments pierced the skyline yet whose reigns were short-lived.

Practical Ministry Application

• Personal Discipleship: Examine success for traces of self-exaltation (James 4:6).
• Corporate Leadership: Churches and ministries must guard against institutional pride; growth and influence can mimic the “loftiness” of Job 20:6.
• Counseling: Those crushed by the apparent triumph of evil find comfort that every arrogant structure has an expiration date set by God.

Christological and Eschatological Reflections

Jesus embodied the opposite of שִׂיא, “He humbled Himself … therefore God exalted Him” (Philippians 2:8–9). In Him true exaltation follows humility, securing eternal glory rather than the temporary peak of Job 20:6. Eschatologically, Revelation 18 portrays Babylon’s fall in language reminiscent of Zophar’s warning—every self-exalting system will collapse, while the humble inherit the kingdom forever (Matthew 5:5).

שִׂיא֑וֹ שיאו śî’ōw śî·’ōw siOInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts