📖 Biblical Definition
The third Beatitude of Christ’s Sermon on the Mount is "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5) — drawing directly on Psalm 37:11. The Greek praus ("meek") denotes strength under control: gentleness rooted in confidence in God, force bridled and yielded. It is not the natural temperament of timidity or doormat passivity. The same word describes the colt Christ rode triumphantly into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:5) and Christ Himself: "I am meek and lowly in heart" (Matthew 11:29). Moses was "very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth" (Numbers 12:3) — and led a nation through forty wilderness years. The meek inherit because they have refused to seize.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
BLESSED ARE TH, n.
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A scriptural beatitude; the third declaration of blessing in the Sermon on the Mount.
📖 Key Scripture
Matthew 5:5 — "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth."
Matthew 11:29 — "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart."
Psalm 37:11 — "But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace."
Numbers 12:3 — "Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern culture confuses meekness with weakness; biblical meekness is strength under control.
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The third beatitude is widely misunderstood. Meek in modern English connotes weak, timid, doormat-like. Biblical meekness is the opposite: strength under control. A meek horse is fully strong but trained; a meek man is fully capable but submitted to God. Moses was the meekest man on earth; he also confronted Pharaoh, led a million people, and shattered the tablets at the golden calf.
Modern culture confuses meekness with weakness. Christ commended meekness as kingdom virtue: they shall inherit the earth. The world inherits nothing. The kingdom is for those who can lead and yet bow, who can fight and yet forgive. Be meek in the biblical sense; do not let modern English mislead you.
Usage
"Modern culture confuses meekness with weakness; biblical meekness is strength under control."
"Moses was the meekest man on earth; he also confronted Pharaoh."
"The meek inherit the earth; the world inherits nothing."