Pride Before a Fall

Another expression that is supposed to be Biblical is "pride before a fall". The Scripture actually says:

Pride [goes] before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. -- Proverbs 16:18

Why is this important? I answer with a question: Why would we think that precision is not important when reading the Word of God? The word pride (H01347) is different than the word haughty (H01363). The Hebrew word for haughty can also mean height or high -- a suitable state from which a fall can occur. The word destruction (H07667) is different from the word fall (H03783). The Hebrew word means "breaking" while fall in the original language can mean "tottering" or "fall". Destruction is final while falling is painful, but temporary.

For a just [man] falls seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief. -- Proverbs 24:16

Surely God selects His words for a reason. Contrast this with the numerous references in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes regarding the "mouth" of fools. For example, Proverbs 14:3 says that a "rod of pride" is in the mouth of a fool -- showing that punitive destruction comes upon "the fool" because of his pride:

In the mouth of the foolish [is] a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them. -- Proverbs 14:3

In Leviticus 26, God declares that he will break the "pride of your power" if the Israelites failed in their duty to His Law. If they:

1. will not hearken unto Me (v14)
2. will not do all these commands (v14)
   
3. despise My statutes (v15)
4. abhor My judgements (v15)
5. will not do My commandments (v15)
6. break My covenant (v15)

And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass: -- Leviticus 26:19

This reveals that the reason for their failure is pride and what follows is destruction.

The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, shall be trodden under feet: -- Isaiah 28:3

Thus says the LORD; They also that uphold Egypt shall fall; and the pride of her power shall come down: from the tower of Syene shall they fall in it by the sword, says the Lord GOD. -- Ezekiel 30:6

But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him: -- Daniel 5:20

Consider also:

A man's pride shall bring him low: but honor shall uphold the humble in spirit. -- Proverbs 29:23

The anti-christ will be the epitome of pride:

Who opposeth and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. -- 2 Thessalonians 2:4

See the book of Revelation 20:10 for his destruction.
Pride also goes before shame and contention:

[When] pride comes, then comes shame: but with the lowly [is] wisdom. -- Proverbs 11:2

Only by pride comes contention: but with the well advised [is] wisdom. -- Proverbs 13:10

Lowilness, rather than cleanliness, is next to godliness:

Though the LORD [be] high, yet has He respect unto the lowly: but the proud He knows afar off. -- Psalms 138:6

The "fear of the LORD" is to hate pride (among other things):

The fear of the LORD [is] to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. -- Proverbs 8:13

In the case of Hezekiah, humbleness prevented destruction:

Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, [both] he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the LORD came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah. -- 2 Chronicles 32:26

In the New Testament, humbleness is itself exalted and rewarded:

And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. -- Matthew 23:12

But He gives more grace. Wherefore He says, God resists the proud, but gives grace unto the humble. -- James 4:6

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time: -- 1 Peter 5:6