Last updated: 2026-05-01
Is Pride and Arrogance a Sin in Judaism?
Quick Answer
Yes, pride and arrogance is considered sin in Judaism.
Author: IsItASin Editorial Team · Last updated:
Yes, pride and arrogance is considered sin in Judaism. Proverbs 16:5 — 'The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.' This is a sin matter in Judaism with clear guidance for believers.
What Judaism Teaches About Pride and Arrogance
Judaism considers Pride and Arrogance to be a sin — a subject of guidance in the torah / talmudic tradition.
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What Judaism Teaches About Pride and Arrogance
Jewish tradition treats pride as one of the most destructive character traits. The ideal is epitomized by Moses — the greatest prophet who ever lived, yet described as the most humble person on earth. This paradox (how can the greatest person be the most humble?) is central to the Jewish understanding: true greatness includes recognizing that all abilities come from God. The Talmud states that pride drives a person from the world — meaning it destroys them spiritually and socially. Maimonides took an unusual position: for most character traits, he taught the golden mean. But for pride, he said a person should go to the opposite extreme — be as humble as possible. This is one of the only traits where Maimonides recommends extremism, showing how seriously Judaism views pride.
Torah / Talmudic References
- Proverbs 16:5 — 'The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.'
- Proverbs 8:13 — 'To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.'
- Talmud Sotah 5a — 'Whoever has pride will be uprooted from the world.'
- Moses was described as 'very humble, more than any man on the face of the earth' (Numbers 12:3).
Key Teachings
| Teaching | Scripture Reference | Practical Application |
|---|---|---|
| The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished. | Proverbs 16:5 | Walk humbly with Hashem. |
| To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. | Proverbs 8:13 | Walk humbly with Hashem. |
| Whoever has pride will be uprooted from the world. | Talmud Sotah 5a | Walk humbly with Hashem. |
| Moses was described as 'very humble, more than any man on the face of the earth' (Numbers 12:3). | Moses was described as 'very humble, more than any man on the face of the earth' (Numbers 12:3). | Walk humbly with Hashem. |
What You Should Do
- Examine yourself honestly — where does pride show up in your life? In your achievements? Your appearance? Your knowledge? Your religious devotion?
- Jewish: Study the Torah's description of Moses' humility. Practice hakarat hatov (recognizing the good in others). Give charity anonymously.
- Find someone to be honest with about your struggles — pride thrives in isolation and secrecy.
- Serve in ways that receive no recognition. Volunteer behind the scenes. The practice of hidden service kills pride.
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The Talmud teaches that teshuvah was created before the world itself — Hashem believed in your return before you were born. The gates of return are open now.
Begin Your Teshuvah — The Gates Are Open →People Also Ask
Is self-confidence the same as pride?
No.
No. All three faiths distinguish between healthy self-respect (recognizing your God-given worth and abilities) and sinful pride (believing you are inherently superior to others or independent of God). Confidence says 'I can do this.' Pride says 'I am better than you.'
What about taking pride in your work or children?
Being pleased with accomplishment or your children's achievements is natural and good.
Being pleased with accomplishment or your children's achievements is natural and good. The sin is when this pleasure becomes an inflated sense of self, or when you look down on others whose achievements are different.
Can pride be the root of other sins?
Christian theology specifically teaches this — pride leads to envy (I deserve what they have), anger (how dare they slight me), greed (I deserve more), and so on.
Christian theology specifically teaches this — pride leads to envy (I deserve what they have), anger (how dare they slight me), greed (I deserve more), and so on. Islam similarly teaches that arrogance was the root of Iblis's rebellion.
