Lectionary Calendar
Sunday, December 22nd, 2024
the Fourth Week of Advent
Attention!
Tired of seeing ads while studying? Now you can enjoy an "Ads Free" version of the site for as little as 10¢ a day and support a great cause!
Click here to learn more! Bible Encyclopedias
Meekness
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Search for…
or
mēk´nes ( ענוה , ‛ănāwāh ; πραότης , praótēs , πραΰ́της , praútēs ): "Meekness" in the Old Testament ( ‛ănāwāh , ‛anwāh ) is from ‛ānāw , "suffering," "oppressed," "afflicted," denoting the spirit produced under such experiences. The word is sometimes translated "poor" ( Job 24:4 , the Revised Version margin "meek"; Amos 8:4 ); "humble" (Psalm 9:12 , Psalm 9:18 , the Revised Version margin "meek"); "lowly" (Proverbs 3:34; Proverbs 16:19 , the Revised Version (British and American) "poor," margin "meek"). It is generally associated with some form of oppression. The "meek" were the special objects of the Divine regard, and to them special blessings are promised (Psalm 22:26 , "The meek shall eat and be satisfied"; Psalm 25:9 , "The meek will he guide in justice; and the meek will he teach his way"; Psalm 37:11 , "The meek shall inherit the land"; Psalm 147:6 , "Yahweh upholdeth the meek"; Psalm 149:4 , "He will beautify the meek with salvation," the Revised Version margin "victory"; compare Isaiah 11:4; Isaiah 29:19; Isaiah 61:1 , "Yahweh hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek," the Revised Version margin "poor"; Zephaniah 2:3; Psalm 45:4 , "because of (the Revised Version margin "in behalf of") truth and meekness and righteousness"). Of Moses it is said he "was very meek, above all the men that were upon the face of the earth," notwithstanding the Divine revelations given him, and in the face of opposition (Numbers 12:3; compare 2 Corinthians 12:1-6 ). Meekness is ascribed even to Yahweh Himself (2 Samuel 22:36 , "Thy gentleness (‛ănāwāh ) hath made me great"; compare Psalm 18:36 ( ‛ănwāh ), the Revised Version margin "condescension"); men are exhorted to seek it (Zephaniah 2:3 , "Seek righteousness, seek meekness"; compare Proverbs 15:1; Proverbs 16:14; Proverbs 25:15; Ecclesiastes 10:4 ).
In the Apocrypha also "meekness" holds a high place (Sirach 1:27 , "The fear of the Lord is wisdom and instruction: faith and meekness are his delight," the Revised Version (British and American) "in faith and meekness is his good pleasure"; Sirach 3:19 , "Mysteries are revealed unto the meek" (the Revised Version (British and American) omits); compare 10:14).
"Meekness" in the New Testament ( praotēs , prautēs ) is not merely a natural virtue, but a Christian "grace"; it is one of the "fruits of the Spirit" ( Galatians 5:23 ). The conception of meekness, as it had been defined by Aristotle, was raised by Christianity to a much higher level, and associated with the commonly despised quality of humility (see under the word). It was the spirit of the Saviour Himself (Matthew 11:29 ): "I am meek (práos ) and lowly in heart" (compare 2 Corinthians 10:1 , "by the meekness and gentleness of Christ"); it presupposes humility, flows from it, and finds expression in moderation (see under the word). (See Trench, Syn . of New Testament , 145; Westcott and Hort, The New Testament in Greek , New Testament Lexicon , under the word) Christians are exhorted to cherish it and show it in their relations to one another (Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 3:12; 1 Timothy 6:11; Titus 3:2 , "showing all meekness toward all men"); it ought to characterize Christian teachers or those in authority in "instructing (the Revised Version (British and American) "correcting," margin "instructing") them that oppose themselves" (2 Timothy 2:25 ); the saving, "implanted" (the Revised Version margin "inborn") word is to be received "with meekness" (James 1:21 ); a man is to "show by his good life his works in meekness of wisdom" (James 3:13 ), and to give a reason for the hope that is in him, "with meekness and fear" (1 Peter 3:15 ).
The interchangeableness of "meek" with "poor," etc., in the Old Testament ought to be specially noted. our Lord's opening of His ministry at Nazareth (Luke 4:18 , "He anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor"), and His message to John (Matthew 11:5 , "The poor have good tidings preached to them") are in harmony therewith.
Copyright Statement
These files are public domain and were generously provided by the folks at WordSearch Software.
Bibliography Information
Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. Entry for 'Meekness'. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/isb/m/meekness.html. 1915.
