Lexical Summary anavah: Humility, meekness, gentleness Original Word: עֲנָוָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance gentleness, humility, meekness From anav; condescension, human and subjective (modesty), or divine and objective (clemency) -- gentleness, humility, meekness. see HEBREW anav NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom anah Definition humility NASB Translation gentleness (1), help (1), humility (4), meekness (1). Topical Lexicon Meaning and Semantic Range עֲנָוָה (anavah) conveys an inward posture of lowliness expressed as voluntary self-abasement before God. More than polite modesty, it is the conscious choice to yield personal status, power and rights so that the LORD alone is exalted. The term overlaps with the ideas of meekness, gentleness, and submission, yet retains a distinct moral dimension: it is humility rooted in the fear of the LORD. Occurrences and Literary Context 1. Proverbs 15:33: “The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and humility comes before honor.” The verse pairs fear of the LORD with humility as foundational to true wisdom and as the necessary prerequisite to any lasting honor. Three of the four uses occur in Wisdom literature, underscoring that humility is essential to godly skill for living. The single prophetic usage broadens the scope, showing that humility safeguards both individual and community when divine judgment looms. Theological Themes 1. Fear of the LORD: In Proverbs 15:33 and 22:4 עֲנָוָה is inseparably linked to reverent fear, suggesting that humility is the lived expression of recognizing God’s sovereignty. Christological Connections The pattern “humility before honor” finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Philippians 2:5-9 describes the Messiah who “humbled Himself… even to death on a cross” and is therefore “highly exalted.” Matthew 11:29 presents Jesus as “gentle and humble in heart,” invoking the same posture called for in Proverbs. By embodying עֲנָוָה, Christ reveals the character God desires in His people and secures the blessings promised to the humble. Practical Applications for Discipleship • Formation: Believers cultivate humility through daily submission to Scripture, prayerful dependence, and purposeful service (Colossians 3:12). Historical Reception in Jewish and Christian Tradition Rabbinic literature often cites Moses—“very humble, more than any man on the face of the earth” (Numbers 12:3)—as the exemplar of עֲנָוָה. Early Church Fathers echoed this, urging believers to mirror Christ’s kenosis. Throughout revivals and reform movements, humility has marked authentic spiritual awakening, evidenced by Jonathan Edwards’s observation that “nothing sets a Christian so much out of the devil’s reach as humility.” Summary עֲנָוָה is biblical humility: reverent lowliness that trusts God, rejects pride, invites wisdom, and secures divine favor. It prepares the path to honor, sustains the righteous in judgment, and finds perfect expression in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Forms and Transliterations עֲ֭נָוָה עֲנָוָ֔ה עֲנָוָֽה׃ ענוה ענוה׃ ‘ă·nā·wāh ‘ănāwāh anaVahLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Proverbs 15:33 HEB: וְלִפְנֵ֖י כָב֣וֹד עֲנָוָֽה׃ NAS: And before honor [comes] humility. KJV: and before honour [is] humility. INT: and before honor humility Proverbs 18:12 Proverbs 22:4 Zephaniah 2:3 4 Occurrences |
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