Topical Encyclopedia
The term "lofty" in the Bible often conveys a sense of height, elevation, or grandeur, both in a physical and metaphorical sense. It is used to describe physical structures, attitudes, and spiritual states. The concept of loftiness can be associated with both positive and negative connotations, depending on the context in which it appears.
Physical Structures and Natural FeaturesIn a literal sense, "lofty" is used to describe tall and imposing physical structures or natural features. For example, in
Isaiah 2:13, the prophet speaks of "the cedars of Lebanon, lofty and lifted up," highlighting the grandeur and majesty of these trees. Similarly, mountains are often described as lofty, symbolizing strength and permanence.
Psalm 104:18 mentions, "The high mountains are for the wild goats; the cliffs are a refuge for the rock badgers," illustrating the natural loftiness of the mountains as a place of refuge and strength.
Metaphorical and Spiritual SignificanceLoftiness also carries a metaphorical meaning, often related to pride or arrogance. In
Isaiah 2:11, it is written, "The proud look of man will be humbled, and the loftiness of men will be brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day." Here, loftiness is associated with human pride and self-exaltation, which God promises to humble. This theme is recurrent throughout Scripture, where human loftiness is contrasted with the humility that God desires.
In a spiritual context, loftiness can also refer to the exalted nature of God.
Psalm 113:5-6 declares, "Who is like the LORD our God, the One enthroned on high? He humbles Himself to behold the heavens and the earth." God's loftiness is not one of pride but of supreme authority and majesty, deserving of worship and reverence.
Warnings Against LoftinessThe Bible frequently warns against the dangers of loftiness in terms of pride and self-reliance.
Proverbs 16:18 cautions, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." This warning serves as a reminder of the perils of elevating oneself above others and above God. The loftiness of human pride is depicted as a precursor to downfall and judgment.
Loftiness in Worship and DevotionConversely, loftiness in worship is encouraged, as believers are called to lift their eyes and hearts to God.
Psalm 121:1-2 states, "I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth." This passage reflects the idea of looking to the lofty hills as a metaphor for seeking divine assistance and acknowledging God's supreme power.
ConclusionThe concept of loftiness in the Bible serves as a multifaceted symbol, representing both the grandeur of God's creation and the dangers of human pride. It calls believers to recognize the majesty of God while maintaining humility in their own lives.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
superl.) Lifted high up; having great height; towering; high.
2. (superl.) Fig.: Elevated in character, rank, dignity, spirit, bearing, language, etc.; exalted; noble; stately; characterized by pride; haughty.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
LOFTILY; LOFTINESS; LOFTYlof'-ti-li, lof'-ti-nes: The first form is only inPsalm 73:8, where it means "haughtily," as if from on high. The second is found only inJeremiah 48:29, where the loftiness of Moab also means his haughtiness, his groundless self-conceit.
Lofty likewise means ' "haughty," "lifted up" (comparePsalm 131:1Isaiah 2:11Proverbs 30:13). InIsaiah 26:5 it refers to a self-secure and boastful city. In 57:15 it is used in a good sense of God who really is high and supreme. Isaiah uses the word more than all the other sacred writers put together.
Greek
5308. hupselos -- high,lofty... high,
lofty. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: hupselos Phonetic Spelling:
(hoop-say-los') Short Definition: high,
lofty Definition: high,
lofty.
...5313. hupsoma -- height, that which is lifted up
... Word Origin from hupsoo Definition height, that which is lifted up NASB
Word Usage height (1),lofty thing (1). height, high thing....
5309. hupselophroneo -- to be high-minded
... be proud, high-minded. From a compound of hupselos and phren; to belofty in mind,
ie Arrogant -- be highminded. see GREEK hupselos. see GREEK phren....
Strong's Hebrew
8519a. talul -- exalted,lofty... exalted,
lofty. Transliteration: talul Short Definition:
lofty. Word Origin from
the same as tel Definition exalted,
lofty NASB Word Usage
lofty (1).
...2073. zebul -- elevation, height,lofty abode
... 2072, 2073. zebul or zebul. 2074 . elevation, height,lofty abode. Transliteration:
zebul or zebul Phonetic Spelling: (ze-bool') Short Definition: habitation...
7320a. Romamti Ezer -- "I have madelofty help," a son of Heman
... Romamti Ezer or Romamti Ezer. 7320b . "I have madelofty help," a son of Heman.
Transliteration: Romamti Ezer or Romamti Ezer Short Definition: Romamti-ezer....
359. Eloth -- "grove oflofty trees"
... 358, 359. Eloth. 360 . "grove oflofty trees". Transliteration: Eloth
Phonetic Spelling: (ay-loth') Short Definition: Eloth. Word...
7419. ramuth -- height,lofty stature
... 7418, 7419. ramuth. 7420 . height,lofty stature. Transliteration: ramuth
Phonetic Spelling: (raw-mooth') Short Definition: refuse....
365a. Elath -- "lofty tree," a city and harbor on the Red Sea
... 365, 365a. Elath. 365b . "lofty tree," a city and harbor on the Red Sea.
Transliteration: Elath Short Definition: Elath. Word Origin...
297. Achiram -- "brother of (the)lofty," a son of Benjamin
... 296, 297. Achiram. 298 . "brother of (the)lofty," a son of Benjamin.
Transliteration: Achiram Phonetic Spelling: (akh-ee-rawm') Short Definition: Ahiram....
365. ayeleth -- "lofty tree," a city and harbor on the Red Sea
... ayeleth. 365a . "lofty tree," a city and harbor on the Red Sea. Transliteration:
ayeleth Phonetic Spelling: (ah-yeh'-leth) Short Definition: hind. hind, Aijeleth...
8519. tluwnah -- exalted,lofty
... 8518, 8519. tluwnah. 8519a . exalted,lofty. Transliteration: tluwnah Phonetic
Spelling: (tel-oo-naw') Short Definition: murmuring. murmuring...
7320. Rowmamtiy 'Ezer -- "I have madelofty help," a son of Heman
... "I have madelofty help," a son of Heman. Transliteration: Rowmamtiy 'Ezer Phonetic
Spelling: (ro-mam'-tee eh'-zer) Short Definition: ezer....
Library
"Now TheseLofty and Mysterious Words, Instead of Puzzling My Head...
... [Way-2-9] "Now theselofty and mysterious words, instead of puzzling my
head? "Now theselofty and mysterious words, instead of...
TheLofty Mind and Constancy of the Sacred virgins; the...
... Discourse VIII."Thekla. Chapter II."TheLofty Mind and Constancy of the Sacred Virgins;
The Introduction of Virgins into the Blessed Abodes Before Others....
Wherefore, if You are Assured that in theLofty Palaces of Heaven...
... Book III. 44 Wherefore, if you are assured that in thelofty palaces of
heaven there dwells? Wherefore, if you are assured that...
That we must Give Ourselves to Humble Works when we are Unequal to...
... THE THIRD BOOK. ON INWARD CONSOLATION CHAPTER LI That we must give ourselves
to humble works when we are unequal to those that arelofty....
The Phoenix
... 2013] itself. But through twice six ells that place rises above the mountains,
whose tops are thought to belofty among us. Here...
Force of the Words "Before Them. "
... But you will ask if, when He was transfigured before those who were led up by Him
into thelofty mountain, He appeared to them in the form of God, in which He...
The Servant's Triumph
... We have reached the final words of this prophecy, and we hear in them a tone of
lofty confidence and triumph.... I. The Messiah'slofty challenge to His accusers....
Hebrews viii. 1, 2
... [1.] Paul mixes the lowly things with thelofty, ever imitating his Master, so that
the lowly become the path to thelofty, and through the former we are led...
Two Forms of one Saying
... included in that great word. Think of the inward resistance and outward
hindrances to everylofty life. The scholar, the man of...
The Cross the victory and Defeat of Darkness
... And so we are brought face to face with the most eminent instance of that great
puzzle that runs through all life"how God works out Hislofty designs by...
Thesaurus
Lofty (44 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. LOFTILY; LOFTINESS;
LOFTY.
...Lofty likewise means '
"haughty," "lifted up" (compare Psalm 131:1 Isaiah 2:11 Proverbs 30:13).
...Loftiness (10 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The state or quality of beinglofty. Int.
Standard Bible Encyclopedia. LOFTILY; LOFTINESS;LOFTY....
Vaulted (6 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 16:24 that you have built for yourselves a vaulted place, and have
made yourselves alofty place in every street. (WEB ASV RSV)....
Loftily (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) In alofty manner or position; haughtily.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. LOFTILY; LOFTINESS;LOFTY....
Shrines (40 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 16:25 You have built yourlofty place at the head of every way, and have
made your beauty an abomination, and have opened your feet to everyone who...
Sinai (38 Occurrences)
...Lofty mountains, in all parts of the world, have always been sacred and regarded
as the mysterious abode of God; and Josephus says that Sinai is "the highest...
Zorah (10 Occurrences)
... 265, Petrie) as attacked by the Khabiri. It is the modern Sur`a, near the summit
of alofty hill on the north side of the Wady es-Surar (Vale of Sorek)....
Topmost (4 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 17:22 Thus says the Lord Yahweh: I will also take of thelofty top of the
cedar, and will set it; I will crop off from the topmost of its young twigs a...
Twigs (8 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 17:22 Thus says the Lord Yahweh: I will also take of thelofty top of the
cedar, and will set it; I will crop off from the topmost of its young twigs a...
Things (10975 Occurrences)
... The translation of hupselos, "high," "lofty," "elevated" (Romans 12:16, "Mind not
high things, but condescend to men of low estate," the King James Version...
Resources
How can demonic strongholds be overcome? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the god of self? | GotQuestions.orgDo we need to be aware of the spiritual battle that is taking place around us? | GotQuestions.orgLofty: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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