This primitive root forms the basis for many related words describing majestic rising or mounting. In Job 8:11 and Ezekiel 47:5, it simply refers to plants growing up or water levels rising. In the Song of the Sea (Exodus 15:1, 21), the repeated word emphasizes that the Lord has “triumphed gloriously.” The only challenging translation appears in Job 10:16, where it seems to describe an emotional swelling.

Pride can be either positive or negative. In its positive sense, it typically refers to excellence—particularly of Israel’s land, which is given by the Lord whose presence dwells with his people (Psalm 47:4; Ezekiel 24:21; Deuteronomy 33:29; Nahum 2:3; Isaiah 4:2). More commonly, it describes God’s majesty and excellence (Exodus 15:7; Isaiah 2:10, 19, 21; 24:14; Micah 5:3; Job 37:4; 40:10; Deuteronomy 33:26; Psalm 68:35; Psalm 93:1; Isaiah 12:5; 26:10). One notable use appears in the name of the spy from the tribe of Gad—Geuel (Numbers 13:15), meaning “El is majestic.”

In its negative context, pride is primarily condemned in non-covenant peoples such as Moab (Isaiah 16:6), Egypt (Ezekiel 30:6), the Philistines (Zechariah 9:6), and Assyria (Zechariah 10:11). The greatest insult, therefore, occurs when God’s people—who should reflect His majesty—instead pursue their own status like these other nations. While many assume Sodom’s primary sin was sexual perversion, Ezekiel 16:49 identifies it as pride, which leads to destruction (Psalm 10:2; Proverbs 15:25; 16:18; Jeremiah 13:9; Isaiah 13:11).

“Thus we can observe that pride is not intrinsically wrong. It describes a part of God’s character. It is to become a part of the life style of the believer (Job 40:10; Deut 33:29). Sin enters the picture when there is a shift of ultimate confidence from God as object and source to oneself as object and source” (TWOT, 143).

Disclaimer: Information in my “slip-box” doesn’t necessarily reflect my agreement with the source or all its content. Recording diverse perspectives helps strengthen one’s position beyond the echo chamber of like-minded thinkers. By documenting alternative viewpoints, we engage in the intellectual wrestling match that ultimately deepens our understanding.

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