The term "humbleth" is an archaic form of the verb "humble," which means to lower oneself in dignity or importance, to become meek, or to submit oneself to God. In the context of the Bible, humbling oneself is often associated with repentance, obedience, and a recognition of one's dependence on God. The concept of humility is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, emphasizing the importance of a contrite heart and the dangers of pride.

Biblical References:

1. 2 Chronicles 7:14 · "and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land." This verse highlights the conditional promise of God to His people, emphasizing that humility is a prerequisite for divine intervention and blessing.

2. Proverbs 29:23 · "A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor." This proverb contrasts the outcomes of pride and humility, teaching that while pride leads to downfall, humility results in honor and exaltation.

3. Isaiah 57:15 · "For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.'" This passage reveals God's preference for those who are humble and contrite, promising His presence and revival to those who humble themselves before Him.

4. Matthew 23:12 · "For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." Jesus teaches that self-exaltation leads to humbling, while true humility results in exaltation by God.

5. James 4:10 · "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you." This New Testament exhortation reinforces the principle that God honors those who humble themselves before Him.

Theological Significance:

Humility is a fundamental virtue in the Christian faith, reflecting the character of Christ Himself, who "humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross" (Philippians 2:8). The act of humbling oneself is not merely an external display but an inward disposition of the heart that acknowledges God's sovereignty and one's own limitations.

In the biblical narrative, those who humble themselves before God often experience His grace and favor. Conversely, those who are proud and self-reliant are frequently depicted as falling under God's judgment. The call to humility is a call to align oneself with God's will, to seek His guidance, and to live in a manner that reflects His holiness and love.

Practical Application:

Believers are encouraged to cultivate humility in their daily lives by prioritizing God's will over personal ambition, serving others selflessly, and maintaining a posture of gratitude and repentance. Humility is not a sign of weakness but a recognition of one's true position before an almighty and loving God. Through humility, Christians are able to experience deeper fellowship with God and with one another, fostering a community that reflects the kingdom values of love, service, and unity.

Psalm CXXXIX.
... 3. "Thou hast known My down-sitting and Mine up-rising" (ver.2). What here is
"down-sitting," what "up-rising"? He who sitteth, humbleth himself. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxxxix.htm

Zain.
... the humble." [5200] Whence also our Lord Himself saith with His own lips, "For
whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/zain.htm

Psalm LXXV.
... 9. "One He humbleth, and another He exalteth" (ver.7). Whom humbleth, whom
exalteth this Judge? Observe these two men in the temple ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxv.htm

The Fall of the House of Ahab
... "And the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, Seest thou
how Ahab humbleth himself before Me? because he humbleth ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 16 the fall of.htm

The Pharisee and Publican
... you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: For every
one that exalteth himself, shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself, shall ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the pharisee and publican.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xviii. 15, "If Thy Brother Sin ...
... "He that humbleth himself shall be exalted." [2739] Wilt thou refuse to humble
thyself, who hast already fallen? Great is the difference ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xxxii on the words.htm

Letter Lxxvii. To Oceanus.
... and fasted...in sackcloth, and went softly." [2340] Then came the word of God to
Elijah the Tishbite saying: "Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lxxvii to oceanus.htm

B. The Second Stages. Chs. 13:22 to 17:10
... thou have glory in the presence of all that sit at meat with thee.11 For everyone
that exalteth himself shall be humbled; and he that humbleth himself shall be ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/b the second stages chs.htm

How to Make Use of Christ as the Truth, for Growth in Knowledge.
... desires run out after that knowledge, not which puffeth up,"for there is a knowledge
which puffeth up, 1 Corinthians 8:1,"but which humbleth, and driveth ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter xiii how to make.htm

C. The Last Stages. Chs. 17:11 to 19:28
... you, This man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every
one that exalteth himself shall be humbled: but he that humbleth himself shall ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/c the last stages chs.htm

Exalteth (15 Occurrences)
... Exalteth (15 Occurrences). Luke 14:11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased;
and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. (KJV ASV WBS). ...
/e/exalteth.htm - 10k

Abased (17 Occurrences)
... (KJV WEY WBS). Luke 14:11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and
he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. (KJV DBY WBS). ...
/a/abased.htm - 11k

Seest (52 Occurrences)
... (See JPS). 1 Kings 21:29 Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me?
because he humbleth himself before me, I will not bring ...
/s/seest.htm - 23k

Humbleth (14 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Humbleth (14 Occurrences). Luke 14:11 For whosoever exalteth
himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. ...
/h/humbleth.htm - 10k

Humility (20 Occurrences)
... 10:17; Psalm 34:2; Psalm 69:32, "meek"; for "humbled" (Psalm 35:13), "afflicted"
(Isaiah 2:11; Isaiah 10:33), "brought low"; for "He humbleth himself" (Isaiah 2 ...
/h/humility.htm - 21k

Lieth (135 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Genesis 34:2 and Shechem, son of Hamor the Hivite, a prince of the land,
seeth her, and taketh her, and lieth with her, and humbleth her; (YLT). ...
/l/lieth.htm - 36k

Upholdeth (8 Occurrences)
... upholdeth his throne by mercy. (DBY). Proverbs 29:23 The pride of man humbleth
him, And humility of spirit upholdeth honour. (YLT). ...
/u/upholdeth.htm - 8k

Metropolis (1 Occurrence)
... 2 Samuel 8:1 And it cometh to pass afterwards that David smiteth the Philistines,
and humbleth them, and David taketh the bridle of the metropolis out of the ...
/m/metropolis.htm - 6k

Croucheth (2 Occurrences)
... a staff. (YLT). Psalms 10:10 He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the
poor may fall by his strong ones. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). ...
/c/croucheth.htm - 6k

Humbling (8 Occurrences)

/h/humbling.htm - 9k

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