Overview
The Bible addresses ambition across 19 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Psalms, Job and Isaiah. Closely related themes include Worldliness, Hypocrisy, Pride and Rulers.
Key Bible verses about ambition
Old Testament
Job
That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment? short: Heb. from near
Though his excellency mount up to the heavens, and his head reach unto the clouds; clouds: Heb. cloud
Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung: they which have seen him shall say, Where is he?
He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found: yea, he shall be chased away as a vision of the night.
The eye also which saw him shall see him no more; neither shall his place any more behold him.
Psalms
Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names. all: Heb. generation and generation
Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish.
This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah. approve: Heb. delight in their mouth
Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling. beauty: or, strength in the grave from: or, the grave being an habitation to every one of them
But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah. power: Heb. hand the grave: or, hell
Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased;
For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.
Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself. while: Heb. in his life
He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light. He: Heb. The soul shall
Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.
Isaiah
How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! O Lucifer: or, O day star
For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying ambition for yourself
- Begin with Job 20:5, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how Psalms, Job and Isaiah each treat the theme.
- Widen the study to related themes: Worldliness, Hypocrisy, Pride and Rulers.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about ambition?
The Bible addresses ambition across 19 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Psalms, Job and Isaiah. Closely related themes include Worldliness, Hypocrisy, Pride and Rulers.
How many Bible verses are about ambition?
The Bible references ambition in 19 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention ambition?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is Job 20:5: “That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment? short: Heb. from near”
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