Arrogancy

“Arrogancy” - 1 Samuel 2:3

This word “arrogancy” is only found 4 times in 4 verses in the AV1611 and every time it is mentioned alongside “proud,” “proudly,” or “pride.” To talk with arrogancy is to talk “proudly,” “presumptuously,” “grievously,” “stiffly,” and selfishly. It is to make exorbitant claims about oneself and to overestimate one’s position, rank, achievements, actions, and knowledge.

In the proceeding verses we find that God is able to “abase” or bring low the arrogant talker. An example of the arrogancy of one’s talk is found in 1:6-7, where Peninnah is called an “adversary” who “provoked” Hannah to weep and caused her to “fret” and not be able to eat. In today’s medical opinion that would be considered “depression.” The arrogancy of Penninah and her “talk” caused the depression of Hannah. That puts 2:5 a little more into context!

Pride and arrogancy are both said to be something God hates (Prov. 8:13), and it’s clear to see why. Arrogancy is “vain glory” by exalting one’s self while “provoking” or putting down another (Galatians 5:26). So, the charge or rebuke is “talk no more exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth.”

God is a God of all knowledge and judgment, and he weighs the actions of our words against the actions of his words. Our actions and words against his, will always come out on the wrong side of the balance, if we are proud and arrogant rather than meek and lowly.