Dictionaries :: Meekness

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Meekness:

a calm temper of mind, not easily provoked (Jam 3:7,8). Peculiar promises are made to the meek (Mat 5:5; Isa 66:2). The cultivation of this spirit is enjoined (Col 3:12; 1Ti 6:11; Zep 2:3), and exemplified in Christ (Mat 11:29), Abraham (Gen 13; 16:5,8) Moses (Num 12:3), David (Zec 12:8; 2Sa 16:10,12), and Paul (1Cr 9:19).

International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia

Meekness:

mek'-nes (‘anawah; praotes, prautes): "Meekness" in the Old Testament (‘anawah, ‘anwah) is from ‘anaw, "suffering," "oppressed," "afflicted," denoting the spirit produced under such experiences. The word is sometimes translated "poor" (Job 24:4, the Revised Version margin "meek"; Am 8:4); "humble" (Ps 9:12,18, the Revised Version margin "meek"); "lowly" (Pr 3:34; 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 (Ps 22:26, "The meek shall eat and be satisfied"; 25:9, "The meek will he guide in justice; and the meek will he teach his way"; 37:11, "The meek shall inherit the land"; 147:6, "Yahweh upholdeth the meek"; 149:4, "He will beautify the meek with salvation," the Revised Version margin "victory"; compare Isa 11:4; 29:19; 61:1, "Yahweh hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek," the Revised Version margin "poor"; Ze 2:3; Ps 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 (Nu 12:3; compare 2Co 12:1-6). Meekness is ascribed even to Yahweh Himself (2Sa 22:36, "Thy gentleness (‘anawah) hath made me great"; compare Ps 18:36 (‘anwah), the Revised Version margin "condescension"); men are exhorted to seek it (Ze 2:3, "Seek righteousness, seek meekness"; compare Pr 15:1; 16:14; 25:15; Ec 10:4).

In the Apocrypha also "meekness" holds a high place (Ecclesiasticus 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"; Ecclesiasticus 3:19, "Mysteries are revealed unto the meek" (the Revised Version (British and American) omits); compare 10:14).

"Meekness" in the New Testament (praotes, prautes) is not merely a natural virtue, but a Christian "grace"; it is one of the "fruits of the Spirit" (Ga 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 (Mt 11:29): "I am meek (praos) and lowly in heart" (compare 2Co 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 (Eph 4:2; Col 3:12; 1Ti 6:11; Tit 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" (2Ti 2:25); the saving, "implanted" (the Revised Version margin "inborn") word is to be received "with meekness" (Jas 1:21); a man is to "show by his good life his works in meekness of wisdom" (Jas 3:13), and to give a reason for the hope that is in him, "with meekness and fear" (1Pe 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 (Lu 4:18, "He anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor"), and His message to John (Mt 11:5, "The poor have good tidings preached to them") are in harmony therewith.

Written by W. L. Walker

Nave's Topical Bible

Meekness: General Scriptures Concerning

Psa 22:26; 25:9; 37:11; 76:8, 9; 147:6; 149:4; Pro 14:29; 15:1, 18; 16:32; 17:1; 19:11; 20:3; 25:15; 29:8; Ecc 7:8; 10:4; Isa 11:4; 29:19; Lam 3:28-30; Amo 3:3; Zep 2:3; Mat 5:5, 9, 38-42; 11:29; 27:13, 14; Mar 9:50; Luk 6:29; Rom 12:14, 18; 14:19; 1Cr 6:7; 7:15; 10:32; 13:4, 5, 7; 2Cr 10:1; 13:11; Gal 5:22, 23, 26; 6:1; Eph 4:1, 2; Phl 2:14, 15; Col 3:12, 13; 1Th 5:14, 15; 2Th 3:5; 1Ti 3:2, 3; 6:11, 12; 2Ti 2:24, 25; Tts 2:2, 9; 3:2; Hbr 10:36; 12:14; Jam 1:4, 19, 21; 3:13, 17, 18; 1Pe 2:18-23; 3:4, 11, 15; 2Pe 1:5-7; Jud 1:9

Meekness: Instances Of:

Abraham,

Gen 13:8.

Isaac,

Gen 26:20-22.

Moses,

Exd 2:13; 14:13, 14; 15:24; 16:7, 8; 17:2; Num 12:3; 16:4-11.

Gideon,

Jdg 8:2, 3.

Hannah,

1Sa 1:13-16.

Saul,

1Sa 10:27.

David,

1Sa 17:29; 2Sa 16:9-14; Psa 38:13, 14; 120:5-7.

Paul,

Act 21:20-26; 1Th 2:7; 2Ti 4:16.

The Thessalonians,

2Th 1:4.

Job,

Jam 5:11.

The angel,

Jud 1:9.

For the meekness of Jesus, see below.

See HUMILITY; KINDNESS; PATIENCE

Meekness: Of Jesus:

Isa 42:1-4; 53:7; Mat 12:19, 20; 26:47-54

See JESUS, HUMILITY OF

Thematic Subject Guide

Meekness:

Gen 13:8; Gen 26:20-22Exd 2:13; Exd 14:13-14; Exd 15:24; Exd 16:7-8; Exd 17:2Num 12:3; Num 16:4-11Jdg 8:2-31Sa 1:13-16; 1Sa 10:27; 1Sa 17:292Sa 16:9-14Psa 22:26; Psa 25:9; Psa 37:11; Psa 38:13-14; Psa 76:8-9; Psa 120:5-7; Psa 147:6; Psa 149:4Pro 14:29; Pro 15:1; Pro 15:18; Pro 16:32; Pro 17:1; Pro 19:11; Pro 20:3; Pro 25:15; Pro 29:8Ecc 7:8; Ecc 10:4Isa 11:4; Isa 29:19; Isa 42:1-4; Isa 53:7Lam 3:28-30Amo 3:3Zep 2:3Mat 5:5; Mat 5:9; Mat 5:38-42; Mat 11:29; Mat 26:47-54; Mat 27:13-14Mar 9:50Act 21:20-26Rom 12:14; Rom 12:18; Rom 14:191Cr 1:7; 1Cr 6:7; 1Cr 7:15; 1Cr 10:32; 1Cr 13:4-52Cr 10:1; 2Cr 13:11Gal 5:22-23; Gal 5:26; Gal 6:1Eph4:1-2Phl 2:14-15Col 3:12-131Th 2:7; 1Th 5:14-152Th 1:4; 2Th 3:51Ti 3:2-3; 1Ti 6:11-122Ti 2:24-25; 2Ti 4:16Tts 2:2; Tts 2:9; Tts 3:2Hbr 10:36; Hbr 12:14Jam1:4; Jam 1:19; Jam 1:21; Jam 3:13; Jam 3:17-18; Jam 5:111Pe 2:18-23; 1Pe 3:4; 1Pe 3:11; 1Pe 3:152Pe 1:5-7Jud 1:9

Torrey's New Topical Textbook

Meekness: Christ Set an Example Of

Psa 45:4; Isa 53:7; Mat 11:29; 21:5; 2Cr 10:1; 1Pe 2:21-23

Meekness: His Teaching

Mat 5:38-45

Meekness: A Fruit of the Spirit

Gal 5:22,23

Meekness: Saints Should

Seek

Zep 2:3

Put on

Col 3:12-13

Receive the word of God with

Jam 1:21

Exhibit, in conduct, &c

Jam 3:13

Answer for their hope with

1Pe 3:15

Show to all men

Tts 3:2

Restore the erring with

Gal 6:1

Meekness: Precious in the Sight of God

1Pe 3:4

Meekness: Ministers Should

Follow after

1Ti 6:11

Instruct opposers with

2Ti 2:24,25

Urge, on their people

Tts 3:1,2

Meekness: A Characteristic of Wisdom

Jam 3:17

Meekness: Necessary to a Christian Walk

Eph 4:1,2; 1Cr 6:7

Meekness: Those Who Are Gifted With

Are preserved

Psa 76:9

Are exalted

Psa 147:6; Mat 23:12

Are guided and taught

Psa 25:9

Are richly provided for

Psa 22:26

Are beautified with salvation

Psa 149:4

Increase their joy

Isa 29:19

Shall inherit the earth

Psa 37:11

Meekness: The Gospel to Be Preached to Those Who Possess

Isa 61:1

Meekness: Blessedness Of

Mat 5:5

Meekness: Exemplified

Moses

Num 12:3

David

1Sa 30:6; 2Sa 16:9-12

Paul

1Cr 4:12; 1Th 2:7