📖 Biblical Definition
Haughtiness is the lifted-up posture of the proud heart — in Scripture, the inward elevation that always precedes a literal fall. "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall" (Proverbs 16:18). The LORD declares Himself the enemy of it: "For though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off" (Psalm 138:6); "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble" (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5). Isaiah’s Day of the LORD reduces all human loftiness: "The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day" (Isaiah 2:11, 17). Christian men crucify haughtiness daily.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
HAUGHT'INESS, n.
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The quality of being haughty; disdain; pride mingled with contempt of others; arrogance.
📖 Key Scripture
Proverbs 16:18 — "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall."
Isaiah 2:11 — "The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day."
Proverbs 6:17 — "A proud look... these six things doth the Lord hate."
1 Peter 5:5 — "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern celebrity culture cultivates haughtiness; the Lord resists it.
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1 Peter 5:5 is one of the most clarifying verses on grace and pride: God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Grace runs downhill. The man who lowers himself receives; the man who lifts himself is resisted — not by neutral indifference but by active opposition from the Lord Himself.
Modern celebrity culture cultivates haughtiness as branding strategy: confidence sells, swagger commands attention, humility looks weak. Isaiah 2:11 sees the end: the lofty looks of man shall be humbled... and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day. Haughty empires fall; haughty men fall; haughty influencers fall; the Lord alone stays exalted. Be small now; the Lord lifts up the lowly Himself.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew gobah (H1363); Greek huperephanos (G5244).
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H1363 — gobah — height; haughtiness
G5244 — huperephanos — haughty, proud
Usage
"Grace runs downhill; the proud are not just neutralized but actively resisted."
"Modern celebrity culture cultivates haughtiness; Isaiah 2 promises it will be bowed down."
"Be small now; the Lord lifts up the lowly Himself."