Language Studies

Greek Thoughts

TAPEINOO* - Part 1 - εχηγεομαι (Strong's #1834)
To humble, to make low, to level

Please note that all Biblical quotes are presented from the Literal Translation.


This week we begin a study of the Greek word ταπεινὸω (Strong's #5013), which is a verb expressing the action of humbling rather than the condition of humbleness. In Classical Greek, ταπεινὸω means "to make small," or "to weaken." Ταπεινὸω is used some 165 times in the Septuagint and is a translation for several Hebrew words. It is used 14 times in the New Testament, all dealing with to humble or make low in the sense of "leveling something to the ground."

The primary meaning of ταπεινὸω is found in Luke 3:5. The context within which it is found, Luke 3:2-6, is a quote from the Septuagint version of Isaiah 40:3-5, and is the prophecy pertaining to the one who will come to lead the people to repentance and prepare them for the coming Messiah.

Luke 3:2-6

2)
Upon the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the Word of God came upon John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness;

Luke presents that the Word of God came upon John, who is John the Baptist, but who is here described as "the son of Zechariah." From this we understand that the prophecy of Isaiah 40:3-5 is now fulfilled in John the Baptist.

3)
and he went into all the country around Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for forgiveness of sins;

4)
as it has been written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying, "A voice of one crying in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight His paths.

5)
"Every valley will be filled, and every mountain and hill will be made low (the future passive of ταπεινὸω); and the crooked will become straight paths and the rough into smooth ways;

This prophecy is not addressing literal valleys and mountains, but is using figurative speech in reference to people. In order for John to prepare the way for the coming of Messiah, those who exalt themselves must be made low and those who are lowly will be exalted through repentance. John is to prepare the way for the Messiah by calling for this repentance. Those who respond to John's call are "making straight" the paths of the Messiah.

6)
"and all flesh will see the salvation of God."

Luke alone gives the complete text of Isaiah's prophecy as he is presenting in his gospel that the Christ comes for both Jews and Gentiles; hence, "all flesh will see the salvation of God."

When considering any verb, it is important to pay attention to the "voice" used in association with the word, otherwise important information and complete understanding will be missed. In Isaiah's prophecy quoted by Luke in verse 5, ταπεινὸω is used to describe a mountain or hill that has been leveled expressing, in the truest sense, the actual meaning of this verb. And it is in the passive voice, indicating that the people involved are being brought low or leveled; they are not doing the action themselves. This is an important concept to understand as it is expressed in the application of this word throughout the New Testament.

Next, Luke presents Jesus' promise of the humbling process. On two separate occasions, Jesus establishes this promise in His teachings. First, in Luke 14:7-11, He speaks a parable to people who are dining at the home of a Pharisee. After seeing that they were choosing the chief seats, Jesus ends the parable with this teaching:

11)
"because everyone who isF1 exalting himself will be humbled (the future passive voice of ταπεινὸω); and the one humbling himself will be exalted."

Again, in Luke 18:10-14, Jesus reiterates this promise. In this particular text He speaks a parable to people who are relying on their own righteousness for justification. He tells of two men praying at the temple, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee prays thanking God that he is not like the sinners, especially the tax collector who is in the temple with him. In contrast, the tax collector cannot not even lift his eyes to Heaven, but beats his chest saying, "God, be merciful to me, the sinner." Jesus declares that the tax collector goes home justified rather than the Pharisee:

14)
"because everyone who isF2 exalting himself will be humbled (the future passive of ταπεινὸω); and the one humbling himself will be exalted."

In both verses, the one "who is exalting himself" and "the one humbling himself" are participial phrases expressing lifestyle or habit of life. And the promise is expressed in the future tense; everyone habitually exalting himself will be humbled. Again, the verb ταπεινὸω is in the passive voice showing that the person exalting himself will be the recipient of the humbling process; he will not produce it himself.

The Word of God establishes for us that it is necessary for a person to be humbled, or brought low, in order for him to be able to receive Jesus, the Messiah. We see from our study today that God promises that this humbling process will come upon all who prefer to exalt themselves rather than to surrender and submit to Christ.

Next week we will explore the commands, from James 4:10 and 1 Peter 5:6, for people to submit to God's humbling process.

* TAPEINOO is the English font spelling of the Greek word ταπεινὸω.


Technical Notes:

F1: The article used as a substantive modified by the adjective πᾶς is translated ποῦεἶναι, "who is."

F2: The article used as a substantive modified by the adjective πᾶς is translated ποῦεἶναι, "who is."

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Meet the Author

Bill Klein has been a pastor, counselor, and educator for the past 41 years. He has had extensive training and education in biblical languages, and has authored a Biblical Greek course.

He is currently serving as Professor of Biblical Greek at Master's Graduate School of Divinity, and president of BTE Ministries - The Bible Translation and Exegesis Institute of America, a non-profit organization located in California that provides Bible study tapes and Greek study materials through their website BTEMinistries.org.