Dictionaries :: Abase

International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia

Abase:

a-bas':The English rendition of shaphel (Job 40:11; Eze 21:26), and of its derivative shephal (Da 4:37) =" bring down," "debase," "humble"; of ‘anah (Isa 31:4) =" abase self," "afflict," "chasten self," "deal harshly with," etc.; and of tapeinoo =" to depress"; figure "to humiliate" (in condition or heart): "abase," "bring low," "humble self" (Php 4:12). The word is always employed to indicate what should be done to or by him who nurtures a spirit and exhibits a demeanor contrary to the laudable humility which is a natural fruit of religion. Such a person is warned that the most extravagant audacity will not daunt Yahweh nor abate His vengeance (Isa 31:4), and good men are exhorted to employ their powers to bring him low (Job 40:11; Eze 21:26). If men are not able to curb the arrogant, God is (Da 4:37); and He has so constituted the world, that sinful arrogance must fall (Mt 23:12 the King James Version; Lu 14:11 the King James Version; Lu 18:14 the King James Version).

Written by Frank E. Hirsch

King James Dictionary

Abase: To Make or Bring Low; to Humble.

For whosoever exalteth himself shall be ABASED; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. (Luke 14:11)

Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words

Abase:

signifies "to make low, bring low,"

(a) of bringing to the ground, making level, reducing to a plain, as in Luk 3:5;

(b) metaphorically in the Active Voice, to bring to a humble condition, "to abase," 2Cr 11:7, and in the Passive, "to be abased," Phl 4:12; in Mat 23:12; Luk 14:11; 18:14, the AV has "shall be abased," the RV "shall be humbled." It is translated "humble yourselves" in the Middle Voice sense in Jam 4:10; 1Pe 5:6; "humble," in Mat 18:4; 2Cr 12:21 and Phl 2:8.
See HUMBLE, LOW. Cp., tapeinos, "lowly," tapeinosis, "humiliation," and tapeinophrosune, "humility."