Berean Strong's Lexicon tapeinoó: To humble, to bring low, to abase Original Word: ταπεινόω Word Origin: Derived from the Greek adjective ταπεινός (tapeinos), meaning "lowly" or "humble." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: - H3665 (כָּנַע, kana): To humble, subdue - H8213 (שָׁפֵל, shaphel): To be low, to humble Usage: The verb ταπεινόω (tapeinoó) primarily means to make low or to humble. It is used in the New Testament to describe both a voluntary and involuntary act of humility. This can refer to a physical lowering, as well as a metaphorical lowering of one's pride or status. The term is often used in the context of spiritual humility, where believers are encouraged to humble themselves before God and others. Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, humility was not typically seen as a virtue. The culture valued honor and status, often associating humility with weakness or low social standing. However, the Christian teaching redefined humility as a virtue, emphasizing the importance of recognizing one's dependence on God and valuing others above oneself. This counter-cultural perspective is rooted in the example of Jesus Christ, who humbled Himself by taking on human form and submitting to death on the cross (Philippians 2:5-8). HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 5013 tapeinóō – make (become) low, to humble. See 5011 (tapeinos). With the believer, 5013 /tapeinóō ("show humility, true lowliness") happens by being fully dependent on the Lord – dismissing reliance upon self (self-government) and emptying carnal ego. This exalts the Lord as our all-in-all and prompts the gift of His fullness in us. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom tapeinos Definition to make low, fig. to humble NASB Translation brought low (1), get along (1), humble (2), humble means (1), humbled (4), humbles (4), humbling (1), humiliate (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5013: ταπεινόωταπεινόω, ταπεινῷ; future ταπεινώσω; 1 aorist ἐταπείνωσα; passive, present ταπεινοῦμαι; 1 aorist ἐταπεινώθην; 1 future ταπεινωθήσομαι; (ταπεινός); to make low, bring low (Vulg.humilio); a. properly: ὄρος, βουνόν, i. e. to level, reduce to a plain, passive, Luke 3:5 from Isaiah 40:4. b. metaphorically, to bring into it humble condition, reduce to meaner circumstances; i. e. α. to assign a lower rank or place to; to abase; τινα, passive, to be ranked below others who are honored or rewarded (R. V. to humble): Matthew 23:12; Luke 14:11; Luke 18:14. β. ταπεινῷ ἐμαυτόν, to humble or abase myself, by frugal living, 2 Corinthians 11:7; in the passive of one who submits to want, Philippians 4:12; ἑαυτόν, of one who stoops to the condition of s servant, Philippians 2:8. c. to lower, depress (English humble): τινα, one's soul, bring down one's pride; ἐμαυτόν, to have a modest opinion of oneself, to behave in an unassuming manner devoid of all haughtiness, Matthew 18:4; Matthew 23:12; Luke 14:11; Luke 18:14; passive, ταπεινοῦμαι ἐνώπιον κυρίου (see ἐνώπιον, 2 b. at the end) in a middle sense (Buttmann, 52 (46)), to confess and deplore one's spiritual littleness and unworthiness, James 4:10 (in the same sense ταπεινοῦν τήν ψυχήν αὐτοῦ, Sir. 2:17 Sir. 7:17; the Sept. for נַפְשׁו עִנָּה, he afflicted his soul, of persons fasting, Leviticus 16:29, 31; Leviticus 23:27, 32; Isaiah 58:3, 5, 10; τήν ψυχήν τίνος, to disturb, distress, the soul of one, Protevangelium Jacobi, c. 2.13.15 (rather, to humiliate; see the passages)); ὑπό τήν χεῖρα τοῦ Θεοῦ, to submit oneself in a lowly spirit to the power and will of God, 1 Peter 5:6 (cf. Genesis 16:9); equivalent to to put to the blush, 2 Corinthians 12:21. ((Hippocrates), Xenophon, Plato, Diodorus, Plutarch; the Sept. for עָנָה, שָׁפֵל and הִשְׁפִּיל, דִּכָּא, הִכְנִיעַ , etc.) (See references under the word ταπεινοφροσύνη.) From tapeinos; to depress; figuratively, to humiliate (in condition or heart) -- abase, bring low, humble (self). see GREEK tapeinos Englishman's Concordance Matthew 18:4 V-FIA-3SGRK: ὅστις οὖν ταπεινώσει ἑαυτὸν ὡς NAS: Whoever then humbles himself as this KJV: therefore shall humble himself INT: whoever therefore will humble himself as Matthew 23:12 V-FIP-3S Matthew 23:12 V-FIA-3S Luke 3:5 V-FIP-3S Luke 14:11 V-FIP-3S Luke 14:11 V-PPA-NMS Luke 18:14 V-FIP-3S Luke 18:14 V-PPA-NMS 2 Corinthians 11:7 V-PPA-NMS 2 Corinthians 12:21 V-ASA-3S Philippians 2:8 V-AIA-3S Philippians 4:12 V-PNM/P James 4:10 V-AMP-2P 1 Peter 5:6 V-AMP-2P Strong's Greek 5013 |