This verse contains a series of terms and expressions describing Moab’s pride, which are all very similar in meaning: the pride of Moab … very proud … loftiness … pride … arrogance … haughtiness of his heart. In many languages it will be impossible to find so many expressions for pride; and even where they exist, in many instances it will be more effective to use less than five.

The noun translated pride (twice) occurs first in 12.5 (Revised Standard Version “jungle”), but it is also used in 13.9 (Revised Standard Version “jungle”); 49.19; 50.44 (Revised Standard Version “jungle”). We have heard of the pride of Moab may be expressed as “We have heard how proud Moab is.”

The verb form “to be proud” (he is very proud) is used only here in Jeremiah, though it occurs elsewhere in Job 40.11, 12; Psa 94.2; 123.4; 140.5 (Revised Standard Version “arrogant”); Pro 15.25; 16.19; Isa 2.12.

Loftiness appears only here in Jeremiah, though it is derived from the root of the verb used in 13.15 (Revised Standard Version “proud”); 49.16 (Revised Standard Version “make high”). The word gives the impression of people who think they are better than anyone else, who hold themselves aloof.

Arrogance occurs only here in Jeremiah; it comes from the same verb root as the noun rendered pride.

Haughtiness is also used only here in Jeremiah; elsewhere in the Old Testament it is found in Pro 21.4; 25.3 (Revised Standard Version “height”); Isa 2.11, 17; 10.12. The basic meaning of this word is “height.” In other words, it also describes people who hold themselves above everyone else. His heart refers to their thinking, as in “how highly they think of themselves.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Jeremiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2003. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .