גָּאוֹן (ga.on)
ga.on
pride
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 32 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun ga'on describes a state of high elevation, carrying meanings that range from majestic glory to arrogant pride. Its core sense is "exaltation," referring to the visible height or splendor of a person, place, or deity. This dual nature means the word can celebrate divine majesty or condemn human haughtiness, depending on the context.
When applied positively, ga'on highlights the awe-inspiring power of God or the natural world. Scripture uses it to describe the "majesty of Jehovah" in worship (Exodus 15:7) and the sublime voice of thunder (Job 37:4). It also poetically depicts the lush, green banks of the Jordan River as its "glory" (Jeremiah 12:5), showing how the term captures both spiritual and physical grandeur.
In a negative sense, the word shifts to denote destructive arrogance. Prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah use it to describe the "pride" of nations that lead to their downfall (Isaiah 2:10-11). The book of Proverbs explicitly links ga'on with a "before destruction," framing this elevated self-regard as a spiritual danger that separates people from humility.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word ga'on captures a powerful sense of elevation, whether it describes the majestic glory of God or the destructive arrogance of human pride. In Exodus 15:7, we see this height used positively to celebrate God's excellency that overthrows enemies. This reminds us that true greatness belongs to the Creator alone, whose power is beyond our understanding.
However, the word also warns against the danger of lifting ourselves up. Proverbs 16:18 clearly states that pride goes before destruction. When we rely on our own strength or status, we separate ourselves from the humility required to walk with God. This distinction helps us recognize when our confidence is placed in divine grace rather than personal achievement.
Reflecting on this balance encourages a heart that honors God's majesty while guarding against self-exaltation. By seeking His glory above all else, we find peace in knowing our worth comes from Him. May you rest in the assurance that God values humility and grants grace to those who trust in His sovereign care.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 32 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] pride of14×
- majesty/ his4×
- from/ [the] thicket[s] of2×
- and/ pride/ its2×
- pride/ your1×
- pride/ their1×
- pride1×
- majesty/ your1×
- majesty1×
- in/ [the] thicket of1×
- in/ [the] pride of1×
- in/ [the] majesty of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- גְּא֣וֹן7×
- גְּא֥וֹן3×
- מִ/גְּא֣וֹן2×
- וּ/גְאוֹנ֛/וֹ2×
- גְּאוֹנ֔/וֹ2×
- גְאוֹן\־2×
- גְאֽוֹן\־2×
- בִּ/גְא֥וֹן2×
- בִּ/גְא֣וֹן2×
- לִ/גְא֣וֹן1×
- לְ/גָא֣וֹן1×
- וְ/גָא֨וֹן\׀1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 15:7
In the greatness of your excellency, you overthrow those who rise up against you. You send out your wrath. It consumes them as stubble.
This verse uses ga'on positively to describe God's excellency, showing the word can celebrate divine majesty rather than just human arrogance.
-
Proverbs 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.
Here the word highlights the spiritual danger of self-exaltation, linking it directly to eventual downfall and destruction.
-
Isaiah 2:10
Enter into the rock, and hide in the dust, from before the terror of Yahweh, and from the glory of his majesty.
The term appears as 'glory of his majesty,' illustrating how ga'on describes the awe-inspiring presence of God that causes people to hide in fear.