5011. tapeinos

Lexicon

tapeinos: Humble, lowly

Original Word: ταπεινός
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: tapeinos
Pronunciation: tah-pay-NOS
Phonetic Spelling: (tap-i-nos')
Definition: Humble, lowly
Meaning: humble, lowly, in position or spirit (in a good sense).

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

cast down, humble, lowly.

Of uncertain derivation; depressed, i.e. (figuratively) humiliated (in circumstances or disposition) -- base, cast down, humble, of low degree (estate), lowly.

HELPS Word-studies

5011 tapeinós (an adjective) – properly, low; (figuratively) inner lowliness describing the person who depends on the Lord rather than self. See 5012 (tapeinophrosynē).

5011 /tapeinós ("lowly, humble") means being God-reliant rather than self-reliant – which ironically always exalts a person (brings them true worth, cf. 1 Pet 5:6).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
a prim. word
Definition
low-lying, fig. lowly, hence lowly in spirit
NASB Translation
depressed (1), humble (5), lowly (1), meek (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 5011: ταπεινός

ταπεινός, ταπεινή ταπεινόν, from (Pindar), Aeschylus, Herodotus down, the Sept. for עָנִי, עָנָו, שָׁפָל, etc., low, i. e.

a. properly, not rising far from the ground: Ezekiel 17:24.

b. metaphorically, α. as to condition, lowly, of low degree: with a substantive, James 1:9; substantively οἱ ταπεινοί, opposed to δυνάσται, Luke 1:52; equivalent to brought low with grief, depressed (Sir. 25:23), 2 Corinthians 7:6. Neuter τά ταπεινά, Romans 12:16 (on which see συναπάγω, at the end). β. lowly in spirit, humble: opposed to ὑπερήφανος, James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5 (from Proverbs 3:34); with τῇ καρδία added, Matthew 11:29 (τῷ πνεύματι, Psalm 33:19 (); in a bad sense, deporting oneself abjectly, deferring servilely to others (Xenophon, mem. 3, 10, 5; Plato, legg. 6, p. 774{c}; often in Isocrates), 2 Corinthians 10:1. (Cf. references under the word ταπεινοφροσύνη, at the end.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the root word ταπείνω (tapeinoō), meaning "to make low" or "to humble."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Greek concept of ταπεινός is closely related to several Hebrew terms, including:

• H6035 עָנָו (anav): Meaning "humble" or "meek," often used to describe a person who is lowly in spirit.
• H8217 שָׁפָל (shaphal): Meaning "low" or "humble," used to describe a state of being brought low or humbled.
• H3665 כָּנַע (kana): Meaning "to humble" or "to subdue," often used in the context of humbling oneself before God.

These Hebrew terms, like ταπεινός, emphasize the importance of humility as a virtue and a necessary attitude for those who seek to follow God's will.

Usage: The term ταπεινός is used in the New Testament to describe both a humble state of being and a humble attitude. It is often associated with the virtues of humility and meekness, which are highly valued in Christian teachings.

Context: The concept of ταπεινός (tapeinos) is central to the Christian understanding of humility and servitude. In the New Testament, ταπεινός is used to describe the character and attitude that believers are encouraged to adopt, reflecting the humility of Christ Himself.

In Matthew 11:29, Jesus describes Himself as "gentle and humble in heart," inviting believers to learn from His example. This humility is not merely an outward demeanor but an inward disposition that acknowledges one's dependence on God and the need for His grace.

The Apostle Paul frequently emphasizes the importance of humility in the Christian life. In Philippians 2:3, he exhorts believers to "do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves." This passage highlights the selfless nature of true humility, which seeks the welfare of others above personal gain.

James 4:6 and 1 Peter 5:5 both quote Proverbs 3:34, stating, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." This underscores the biblical principle that humility is a prerequisite for receiving God's favor and grace.

The virtue of humility is also contrasted with pride throughout Scripture. In Luke 1:52, Mary's Magnificat praises God for bringing down rulers from their thrones and exalting those of humble estate, illustrating the divine reversal that often accompanies God's intervention.

Overall, ταπεινός is a key term that encapsulates the Christian call to live a life marked by humility, service, and a recognition of one's place before God.

Forms and Transliterations

εταπεινοφρόνουν ταπεινά ταπεινή ταπεινοί ταπεινοις ταπεινοίς ταπεινοῖς ταπεινόν ταπεινος ταπεινός ταπεινὸς ταπεινοτέρα ταπεινότερα ταπεινού ταπεινους ταπεινούς ταπεινοὺς ταπεινώ ταπεινών ταπείνων ταπεινωτάτη tapeinois tapeinoîs tapeinos tapeinòs tapeinous tapeinoús tapeinoùs

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 11:29 Adj-NMS
GRK: εἰμι καὶ ταπεινὸς τῇ καρδίᾳ
NAS: gentle and humble in heart,
KJV: meek and lowly in heart: and
INT: I am and humble [in] the heart

Luke 1:52 Adj-AMP
GRK: καὶ ὕψωσεν ταπεινούς
NAS: And has exalted those who were humble.
KJV: and exalted them of low degree.
INT: and exalted [the] humble

Romans 12:16 Adj-DMP
GRK: ἀλλὰ τοῖς ταπεινοῖς συναπαγόμενοι μὴ
NAS: but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise
KJV: condescend to men of low estate. Be
INT: but with the lowly going along not

2 Corinthians 7:6 Adj-AMP
GRK: παρακαλῶν τοὺς ταπεινοὺς παρεκάλεσεν ἡμᾶς
NAS: who comforts the depressed, comforted
KJV: that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted
INT: encourages those brought low encouraged us

2 Corinthians 10:1 Adj-NMS
GRK: πρόσωπον μὲν ταπεινὸς ἐν ὑμῖν
NAS: I who am meek when face to face
INT: appearance indeed [am] humble among you

James 1:9 Adj-NMS
GRK: ἀδελφὸς ὁ ταπεινὸς ἐν τῷ
NAS: But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory
KJV: the brother of low degree rejoice
INT: brother of low degree in the

James 4:6 Adj-DMP
GRK: ὑπερηφάνοις ἀντιτάσσεται ταπεινοῖς δὲ δίδωσιν
NAS: BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.
KJV: giveth grace unto the humble.
INT: [the] proud sets himself against to lowly moreover he gives

1 Peter 5:5 Adj-DMP
GRK: ὑπερηφάνοις ἀντιτάσσεται ταπεινοῖς δὲ δίδωσιν
NAS: BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.
KJV: giveth grace to the humble.
INT: [the] proud sets himself against to [the] humble however gives

Strong's Greek 5011
8 Occurrences

ταπεινοῖς — 3 Occ.
ταπεινὸς — 3 Occ.
ταπεινούς — 2 Occ.