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עָנָו

𐤏𐤍𐤅

ʻânâv

H6035 adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

One who is humble, modest, or lowly, characterized by an attitude of self-effacement or submission. In some contexts, refers to an individual who surrenders personal status or power, or one who is socially or economically low in status. Can also imply gentleness and mildness of disposition, especially in social or religious relationships. The term is frequently employed to indicate a moral or inner quality, not only an external condition.

Semantic Range

humble, meek, lowly (in disposition), gentle, self-effacing, submissive, unassuming; rarely, oppressed or of low social status

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root ענה (ʿnh), which conveys the ideas of 'to be bowed down, humbled, afflicted, or oppressed.' The form עָנָו (ʿanav) represents a personal quality or character trait developing out of this root, focusing on the disposition of humility or meekness, distinct from the condition of poverty or affliction central to עָנִי (ʿanî).

Historical & Contextual Notes

During the monarchic and exilic periods, עָנָו frequently describes those who exhibit humility before the divine or in relation to social superiors (cf. Moses described as עָנָו מְאֹד, 'very humble': Num 12:3). While the term overlaps with עָנִי (ʿanî, 'poor, afflicted'), עָנָו primarily emphasizes humble character as opposed to economic deprivation. In later usage, particularly in Psalms, the עֲנָוִים (anavim, 'humble ones') are sometimes contrasted with the arrogant or wicked, representing a class who trust in YHWH. English translations often use 'meek,' 'humble,' or 'lowly,' but may miss the specific nuance of reliance on and submission to divine authority. The term does not necessarily connote poverty, though humility and low social status are sometimes linked.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or (by intermixture with עָנִי) עָנָיו; from עָנָה; depressed (figuratively), in mind (gentle) or circumstances (needy, especially saintly); humble, lowly, meek, poor. Compare עָנִי.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.

Root Family

ענה (Baana) — to afflict, humble, oppress

Root ענה to be bowed down, to be afflicted, to humble oneself
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1195 בַּעֲנָא Son of Affliction
H1196 בַּעֲנָה In Affliction
H2057 וַנְיָה Yah Answers
H3283 יָעֵן ostriches
H3284 יַעֲנָה the female ostrich

Word Forms

10 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H6035-01 עֲנָוִ֖ים anavim HAampa the humble humble ones humble ones 15
H6035-03 עַנְוֵי anevey HAampc humble the humble ones of the humble ones of 2
H6035-08 ענוים nvym HAampa the afflicted/meek humble ones humble ones 2
H6035-02 עָנָ֣יו anayv HAamsa humble humble one humble one 1
H6035-04 עֲנִיֵּי aniyey HAampc the poor afflicted ones of the afflicted ones of 1
H6035-05 לְ/עַנְוֵי leanevey HR/Aampc for-the-meek to humble ones of for the humble ones of 1
H6035-06 ענו nv HAamsa humble humble one humble one 1
H6035-07 ענוי nvy HAampc afflicted humble ones of the humble ones of 1
H6035-09 וַ/עֲנָוִ֥ים vaanavim HC/Aampa the meek humble ones humble ones 1
H6035-10 וְ֝/לַ/עֲנָוִ֗ים velaanavim HC/R/Aampa and to the humble and to the humble ones and to the humble ones 1

Occurrences in Scripture

26 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H6035-06 Numbers 12:3 ענו nv HAamsa humble humble one humble one
H6035-02 Numbers 12:3 עָנָ֣יו anayv HAamsa humble humble one humble one
H6035-05 Isaiah 11:4 לְ/עַנְוֵי leanevey HR/Aampc for-the-meek to humble ones of for the humble ones of
H6035-01 Isaiah 29:19 עֲנָוִ֛ים anavim HAampa the meek humble ones the humble ones
H6035-08 Isaiah 32:7 ענוים nvym HAampa the afflicted/meek humble ones humble ones
H6035-01 Isaiah 61:1 עֲנָוִ֗ים anavim HAampa to the poor humble ones to the humble ones
H6035-01 Amos 2:7 עֲנָוִ֖ים anavim HAampa of the humble humble ones of the humble ones
H6035-07 Amos 8:4 ענוי nvy HAampc afflicted humble ones of the humble ones of
H6035-03 Zephaniah 2:3 עַנְוֵ֣י anevey HAampc humble the humble ones of the humble ones of
H6035-01 Psalms 9:13 עֲנָוִֽים anavim HAampa poor humble ones humble ones
H6035-08 Psalms 9:19 ענוים nvym HAampa the poor humble ones the humble ones
H6035-01 Psalms 10:12 עֲנָוִֽים anavim HAampa the humble humble ones humble ones
H6035-01 Psalms 10:17 עֲנָוִ֣ים anavim HAampa humble humble ones humble ones
H6035-01 Psalms 22:27 עֲנָוִ֨ים anavim HAampa the humble humble ones humble ones
H6035-01 Psalms 25:9 עֲ֭נָוִים anavim HAampa the humble humble ones humble ones
H6035-01 Psalms 25:9 עֲנָוִ֣ים anavim-2 HAampa the humble humble ones humble ones
H6035-01 Psalms 34:3 עֲנָוִ֣ים anavim HAampa the-humble humble ones the humble
H6035-09 Psalms 37:11 וַ/עֲנָוִ֥ים vaanavim HC/Aampa the meek humble ones humble ones
H6035-01 Psalms 69:33 עֲנָוִ֣ים anavim HAampa the humble humble ones humble ones
H6035-03 Psalms 76:10 עַנְוֵי anevey HAampc humble-ones the humble ones of the humble ones of
H6035-01 Psalms 147:6 עֲנָוִ֣ים anavim HAampa the humble humble ones humble ones
H6035-01 Psalms 149:4 עֲ֝נָוִ֗ים anavim HAampa the-meek humble ones humble ones
H6035-10 Proverbs 3:34 וְ֝/לַ/עֲנָוִ֗ים velaanavim HC/R/Aampa and to the humble and to the humble ones and to the humble ones
H6035-01 Proverbs 14:21 עֲנָוִ֣ים anavim HAampa the humble humble ones the humble
H6035-01 Proverbs 16:19 עֲנָוִ֑ים anavim HAampa the humble humble ones the humble
H6035-04 Job 24:4 עֲנִיֵּי aniyey HAampc the poor afflicted ones of the afflicted ones of
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