H6800b H6800b
humble, modest (in character)
This adjective describes humble or modest persons, appearing in Proverbs 11:2 in contrast to arrogance. The verse states, 'with the humble is wisdom,' while pride brings disgrace. The plural form designates those characterized by modesty and self-effacement rather than presumption. This is not weakness but proper self-assessment, the quality of those who don't overreach their knowledge or position. Wisdom gravitates toward such humble people, avoiding the arrogant.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Humble or modest in character, describing people who practice self-effacement. Proverbs 11:2 contrasts 'the humble' (with whom wisdom dwells) with 'the arrogant' (who receive disgrace). The adjective marks those who have a proper, modest view of themselves, neither claiming undue importance nor overestimating their knowledge. This humility creates space for wisdom—the teachable heart that can receive instruction, unlike pride which thinks it already knows. 1×
AR["مُتَواضِعينَ"]·ben["বিনয়ীদের"]·DE["[צנועים]"]·EN["the-humble"]·FR["צנועים"]·heb["צנועים"]·HI["नम्रों-के"]·ID["orang-orang-yang-rendah-hati"]·IT["il-humble"]·jav["tiyang-andhap-asor"]·KO["겨손한-자-들-과"]·PT["humildes"]·RU["смиренными"]·ES["humildes"]·SW["wanyenyekevu"]·TR["alçakgönüllüler"]·urd["عاجزوں-کے"]
Related Senses
G2962 1. Lord (divine title) (661×)H0136 1. Lord (divine title) (440×)H0113 1. lord, human superior (249×)G1849 1. authority, power (91×)H6485a 2. Qal: punish, bring judgment (63×)H8198 1. maidservant, female slave (63×)G2962 2. master, lord (human authority) (61×)H0034 1. needy, poor, destitute (61×)H0519 1. female servant, maidservant (56×)H6041 1. poor, needy person (55×)H0113 2. master, owner of servants (49×)H4910 1. Qal: to have dominion, exercise power over (44×)H1800 1. poor, needy (socioeconomic) (38×)H3515 1. heavy, severe, grievous (36×)G4434 1. (34×)G5092 1. honor, esteem, respect (33×)H6485a 4. Qal: visit, attend to, care for (32×)H3513 1. honor / show respect (Piel) (30×)H4910 2. Qal: to rule, govern (administrative authority) (27×)H4513 1. withhold, restrain, hold back (25×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
† [צָנוּעַ] adj. modest (on format. cf. BaBN § 31 d);—pl. צְנוּעִים Pr 11:2 (v. Toy; opp. זָדוֹן).