Humility

Humility (Heb: עָנָו; Gr. πραΰς) is that human quality wherein a person willingly submits to a higher power. Also translated meekness or gentleness, this quality is found in leaders who think of others first. Those who live with this attitude will often be oppressed by earthly powers, but in answering instead to God, they will be vindicated

Meaning and Usage

The Hebrew word עָנָו (`anav, also עָנָיו `anayv) literally means "depressed in mind or circumstances". Though outwardly this may be undesirable, to be poor and lowly engenders a sense of humility and meekness that requires submission to just laws. Apart from the Law of God, though, laws are often oppressive. It seems appropriate, then that Moses, as the "law giver" was called the meekest man on earth. Moses was only the spokesman.

The poetry of the Old Testament contrasted the cruelty of the rich with the special place the poor had to Yahweh. Sometimes translated "poor", humility is sometimes paired with its synonyms. Humbled by circumstances, the poor knew that they could depend on God. Aware of their humanity, they humble are prepared to do divine things and receive the LORD's blessings. The prophets, in warning of the wrath to come, assured the victims of the nation's sins need only turn to God in humility to be saved.

In the New Testament, Jesus declared that He, like Moses, was a humble and poor man, but in his very first sermon in Nazareth, Jesus spoke the truth to his neighbors directly from Isaiah's Messianic prophecy: the gospel is for the humble in this world. Matthew cites a Messianic prophecy when recording the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.