Gentleness - International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

GENTLENESS

jen'-t'-l-nes (`anah; epieikeia, chrestotes):

In 2 Samuel 22:36 `anah, "to bend low," "to condescend," is translated "gentleness," "Thy gentleness hath made me great," the Revised Version, margin "or condescension"; so also Psalms 18:35, where the word is `anwah "humility," "gentleness," or "condescension." In the New Testament epieikeia ("fairness," "moderation," in Acts 24:4 translated "clemency") is in 2 Corinthians 10:1 translated "gentleness," "the meekness and gentleness of Christ" (2 Macc 2:22 "favour," the Revised Version (British and American) "forbearance"); chrestotes, "kindness," "usefulness," is translated "gentleness" in Galatians 5:22 the King James Version, the Revised Version (British and American) "kindness"; chrestos is the word translated "kind" (to the unthankful and evil, Luke 6:35), and chrestotes seems to carry in it a similar idea of active kindness.

Gentle occurs in the Old Testament only in the Revised Version (British and American) of Jeremiah 11:19, "I was like a gentle lamb" (kebhes). In the New Testament it is the translation of epios, "mild," "gentle" (1 Thessalonians 2:7; 2 Timothy 2:24), and of epieikes, "fitting" "proper," etc. (1 Timothy 3:3 the Revised Version (British and American); Titus 3:2; James 3:17; 1 Peter 2:18); also, with article, Philippians 4:5 (the King James Version "moderation," the Revised Version (British and American) "forbearance"). In 2 Macc 15:12 Onias is said (the King James Version) to be "gentle (praos) in condition," the Revised Version (British and American) "in manner."

W. L. Walker

Bibliography Information
Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. "Entry for 'GENTLENESS'". "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia". 1915.