Meekness is a virtue highly esteemed in the Bible, often associated with humility, gentleness, and a submissive spirit to God's will. It is a quality that reflects strength under control, rather than weakness or passivity. The term "meek" is derived from the Greek word "praus," which conveys the idea of mildness and gentleness of spirit.

Biblical References and Context

1. Old Testament Foundations:
· In the Old Testament, meekness is frequently linked with righteousness and a close relationship with God. Psalm 37:11 states, "But the meek will inherit the land and delight in abundant prosperity." This verse highlights the promise of divine blessing and inheritance for those who embody meekness.
· Moses is described as "very humble, more than any man on the face of the earth" (Numbers 12:3). His meekness is demonstrated through his reliance on God and his leadership, which was marked by patience and a lack of self-assertion.

2. New Testament Teachings:
· Jesus Christ exemplifies meekness in His life and teachings. In the Beatitudes, He declares, "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5). This beatitude underscores the spiritual reward and eternal inheritance promised to the meek.
· Jesus describes Himself as "gentle and humble in heart" (Matthew 11:29), inviting believers to learn from His example. His life was characterized by submission to the Father's will, even unto death, demonstrating the ultimate expression of meekness.

3. Apostolic Exhortations:
· The Apostle Paul encourages believers to cultivate meekness as part of their Christian character. In Galatians 5:22-23, meekness is listed as a fruit of the Spirit, indicating that it is a result of living in accordance with the Holy Spirit's guidance.
· Paul also advises, "with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love" (Ephesians 4:2), urging Christians to maintain unity and peace through meekness and humility.

4. Practical Application:
· Meekness involves a willingness to submit to God's authority and to respond to others with gentleness and patience. It requires a heart that is teachable and open to correction, as well as a spirit that seeks peace and reconciliation.
· James 1:21 instructs believers to "humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save your souls." This highlights the importance of receiving God's Word with a meek and receptive heart, allowing it to transform one's life.

Theological Significance

Meekness is not merely an outward demeanor but an inward disposition that reflects a deep trust in God. It is a recognition of one's own limitations and a reliance on God's strength and wisdom. In a world that often values assertiveness and self-promotion, meekness stands as a counter-cultural virtue that aligns with the character of Christ. It is through meekness that believers can effectively witness to the transformative power of the Gospel, embodying the love and grace of God in their interactions with others.A calm temper of mind, not easily provoked (James 3:13). Peculiar promises are made to the meek (Matthew 5:5; Isaiah 66:2). The cultivation of this spirit is enjoined (Colossians 3:12; 1 Timothy 6:11; Zephaniah 2:3), and is exemplified in Christ (Matthew 11:29), Abraham (Genesis 13; 16:5, 6) Moses (Numbers 12:3), David (Zechariah 12:8; 2 Samuel 16:10, 12), and Paul (1 Corinthians 9:19). (n.) The quality or state of being meek.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"; Amos 8:4); "humble" (Psalm 9:12, 18, the Revised Version margin "meek"); "lowly" (Proverbs 3:34; Proverbs 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 (Psalm 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 Isaiah 11:4; 29:19:00; 61:1, "Yahweh hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek," the Revised Version margin "poor"; Zechariah 2:3; Psalm 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 (Numbers 12:3; compare 2 Corinthians 12:1-6). Meekness is ascribed even to Yahweh Himself (2 Samuel 22:36, "Thy gentleness (`anawah) hath made me great"; compare Psalm 18:36 (`anwah), the Revised Version margin "condescension"); men are exhorted to seek it (Zechariah 2:3, "Seek righteousness, seek meekness"; compare Proverbs 15:1; Proverbs 16:14; Proverbs 25:15 Ecclesiastes 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" (Galatians 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 (Matthew 11:29): "I am meek (praos) and lowly in heart" (compare 2 Corinthians 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 (Ephesians 4:2 Colossians 3:12 1 Timothy 6:11 Titus 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" (2 Timothy 2:25); the saving, "implanted" (the Revised Version margin "inborn") word is to be received "with meekness" (James 1:21); a man is to "show by his good life his works in meekness of wisdom" (James 3:13), and to give a reason for the hope that is in him, "with meekness and fear" (1 Peter 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 (Luke 4:18, "He anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor"), and His message to John (Matthew 11:5, "The poor have good tidings preached to them") are in harmony therewith.

W. L. Walker

4236. praotes -- meekness.
... 4235, 4236. praotes. 4237 . meekness. ... Word Origin variant reading for prautes,
qv. meekness. From praios; gentleness, by implication, humility -- meekness. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4236.htm - 6k

4239. praus -- meekness
... meekness. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: praus Phonetic Spelling:
(prah-ooce') Short Definition: mild, gentle Definition: mild, gentle. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4239.htm - 6k

4239a. praupathia -- meekness
... meekness. Transliteration: praupathia Short Definition: gentleness. Word Origin
from praus and pascho Definition meekness NASB Word Usage gentleness (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4239a.htm - 5k

4240. prautes -- gentleness
... Cognate: 4240 (compare 4236 , another feminine noun which is also derived from the
root , emphasizing the divine of the meekness) -- ("gentle strength") which ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4240.htm - 7k

6037. anvah -- gentleness, meekness
... 6036, 6037. anvah. 6038 . gentleness, meekness. Transliteration: anvah Phonetic
Spelling: (an-vaw') Short Definition: gentleness. ... gentleness, meekness ...
/hebrew/6037.htm - 5k

6038. anavah -- humility
... Word Origin from anah Definition humility NASB Word Usage gentleness (1), help
(1), humility (4), meekness (1). gentleness, humility, meekness. ...
/hebrew/6038.htm - 6k

Of Meekness
... OF MEEKNESS. From this patience there spring meekness and kindliness, for
none can be meek in adversity save the patient man. Meekness ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter xvi of meekness.htm

Fifth Day. Meekness.
... Fifth Day. MEEKNESS. "I am meek and lowly in heart.""Matthew 11:29. There
is often a beautiful blending of majesty and humility ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/the mind of jesus/fifth day meekness.htm

Christian Meekness
... 12. Christian meekness. ... Matthew 5:5. We are now got to the third step leading in
the way to blessedness, Christian meekness. Blessed are the meek'. ...
/.../watson/the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/12 christian meekness.htm

What Meekness is in Itself, and when it is Perfect and when it is ...
... HERE BEGINNETH THE THIRTEENTH CHAPTER What meekness is in itself, and when
it is perfect and when it is imperfect. What meekness ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the thirteenth chapter.htm

Whether Clemency and Meekness are the Greatest virtues?
... OF CLEMENCY AND MEEKNESS (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether clemency and meekness
are the greatest virtues? Objection 1: It would seem that ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether clemency and meekness are 2.htm

Whether Both Clemency and Meekness are virtues?
... OF CLEMENCY AND MEEKNESS (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether both clemency and meekness are
virtues? ... Therefore neither clemency nor meekness is a virtue. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether both clemency and meekness.htm

Whether Clemency and Meekness are Absolutely the Same?
... OF CLEMENCY AND MEEKNESS (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether clemency and meekness
are absolutely the same? Objection 1: It would seem that ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether clemency and meekness are.htm

March the Thirtieth the victory of Meekness
... MARCH The Thirtieth THE VICTORY OF MEEKNESS. 1 PETER ii.17-25. Then I may
be not only the betrayer, but the betrayed. In my inner ...
/.../my daily meditation for the circling year/march the thirtieth the victory.htm

The Blessing of Meekness.
... CHRISTIAN CHARACTER AND LIFE. 349. " The Blessing of Meekness. 349. LM
Scott. The Blessing of Meekness. 1 Happy the meek, whose ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/349 the blessing of.htm

Of Clemency and Meekness (Four Articles)
... OF CLEMENCY AND MEEKNESS (FOUR ARTICLES). We must next consider clemency
and meekness, and the contrary vices. Concerning the virtues ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/of clemency and meekness four.htm

Meekness (14 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. (n.) The quality or state of being meek. Int. Standard
Bible Encyclopedia. MEEKNESS. mek'-nes (`anawah; praotes ...
/m/meekness.htm - 16k

Lamb (124 Occurrences)
... In the symbolical language of Scripture the lamb is the type of meekness
and innocence (Isaiah 11:6; 65:25; Luke 10:3; John 21:15). ...
/l/lamb.htm - 50k

Long-suffering (23 Occurrences)
... YLT). Ephesians 4:2 with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering,
bearing with one another in love; (DBY WBS YLT). Colossians ...
/l/long-suffering.htm - 13k

Meek (23 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 10:1 Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness
of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward ...
/m/meek.htm - 13k

Longsuffering (17 Occurrences)
... KJV ASV). Ephesians 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering,
forbearing one another in love; (KJV ASV). Colossians 1 ...
/l/longsuffering.htm - 16k

Zephaniah (11 Occurrences)
... The principal objection to 2:1-3 is the presence in 2:3 of the expressions "meek
of the earth," and "seek meekness." It is claimed that "meek" and "meekness...
/z/zephaniah.htm - 32k

Humbleness (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The quality of being humble; humility; meekness.
Multi-Version Concordance Humbleness (1 Occurrence). ...
/h/humbleness.htm - 6k

Quarreling (17 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Titus 3:2 of no one to speak evil, not to be quarrelsome -- gentle,
showing all meekness to all men, (See RSV). Genesis ...
/q/quarreling.htm - 11k

Quiet (167 Occurrences)
... nachath, "quiet," "be set on"). For "them that are quiet in the land", in Psalm
35:20, see MEEKNESS; POOR. For "quiet prince in Jeremiah ...
/q/quiet.htm - 37k

Quarrelsome (9 Occurrences)
... (See NAS RSV). Titus 3:2 of no one to speak evil, not to be quarrelsome --
gentle, showing all meekness to all men, (YLT). Proverbs ...
/q/quarrelsome.htm - 8k

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