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ταπεινός

tapeinós

G5011 substantive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Low in position, status, or condition; humble, unpretentious. The term can denote literal lowliness (as of social rank or physical station), but more frequently conveys moral, emotional, or spiritual humility—marked by modesty, unpretentiousness, or a conscious acceptance of one’s limited status.

Semantic Range

low in social status, humble in spirit, unpretentious, of low rank or estate, oppressed, submissive, poor, meek, modest, afflicted (in Septuagint), characterized by humility

Root / Etymology

The etymology is uncertain. The word may be related to ταπείνωσις (tapeinōsis, 'humiliation', 'lowness') and the related verb ταπεινόω (tapeinoō, 'to make low, to humble'), all from a Greek root ταπειν-, possibly of Pre-Greek or non-Indo-European origin. No secure Indo-European etymology has been established.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ταπεινός usually referred to something low or flat in the physical sense, occasionally transferring to persons of low social status or humility. By the Hellenistic and Koine periods, especially in the Septuagint and New Testament, it developed strong ethical and spiritual connotations: humility, modesty, acceptance of one’s position before the divine. In the Septuagint, ταπεινός often translates Hebrew עָנָו (ʿānāw, 'humble', 'poor', 'afflicted'), expanding the sense from social status to a quality of character or a state of affliction. In the New Testament, it frequently carries a positive valuation, especially in contrast to pride or arrogance. Standard English translations sometimes use 'humble', 'lowly', or 'of low estate', but these do not always convey the richness of the term’s social, psychological, and spiritual dimensions in Koine. The word does not inherently convey self-abasement or shame, and can denote positive virtue.

Translation Consistency

primary "humble" 8 occurrences

"Humble" is the most natural, commonly used English equivalent that covers both literal lowliness and the moral/spiritual sense of modesty or meekness found in the SILEX range. It appears as the predominant rendering in the P2 forms and avoids narrower or more archaic choices (e.g., "poor," "lowly") while remaining idiomatic and consistent across all forms.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

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

Root Family

ταπεινός (tapeinos) — low, humble, base

Root ταπειν- low, humble, base

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G5011-01 ταπεινοῖς tapeinois ADJ.S DAT M PL lowly to the humble ones to the humble ones 3
G5011-02 ταπεινὸς tapeinos ADJ.S NOM M SG humble the humble one humble 3
G5011-03 ταπεινούς tapeinous ADJ.S ACC M PL depressed humble ones humble ones 2

Occurrences in Scripture

8 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G5011-02 Matthew 11:29 ταπεινὸς tapeinos ADJ.S NOM M SG lowly the humble one humble
G5011-03 Luke 1:52 ταπεινούς tapeinous ADJ.S ACC M PL the humble humble ones humble ones
G5011-01 Romans 12:16 ταπεινοῖς tapeinois ADJ.S DAT M PL lowly to the humble ones to the humble ones
G5011-03 2 Corinthians 7:6 ταπεινοὺς tapeinous ADJ.S ACC M PL depressed humble ones humble ones
G5011-02 2 Corinthians 10:1 ταπεινὸς tapeinos ADJ.P NOM M SG humble the humble one humble
G5011-02 James 1:9 ταπεινὸς tapeinos ADJ.R NOM M SG humble the humble one the humble one
G5011-01 James 4:6 ταπεινοῖς tapeinois ADJ.S DAT M PL the humble to the humble ones to the humble ones
G5011-01 1 Peter 5:5 ταπεινοῖς tapeinois ADJ.S DAT M PL humble to the humble ones to the humble ones
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