meek

Everyday

1. Quiet, gentle and patient; not easily angry and not wanting to argue. tree →
2. (often disapproving) Too quiet and ready to do what others say: «meek and timid». tree →
3. (Bible) Jesus said «Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth»; Christians see meekness as gentle strength, not weakness. tree →

In the lessons

In religion lessons the Beatitudes praise the meek; Jesus called himself «gentle and humble in heart», and Moses was called very meek. In stories a meek character may surprise everyone by being brave. Phrases: «meek and mild», «the meek shall inherit the earth», «meekly obey».

Examples

• «Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.» tree →
• The meek little mouse squeaked a thank you. tree →
• He meekly said sorry and sat down. tree →
• She seemed meek, but she stood up to the bully. tree →
• Moses was a very meek man, the Bible says. tree →
• Don't be so meek; tell the teacher your idea! tree →

Note

Comparison: meeker, meekest. Noun: meekness. Trap: in the Bible, meek is a good thing (gentle and self-controlled); in everyday speech it can mean too weak. Similar: gentle, mild, humble.

In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: Jewish tradition holds up Moses as the model of humility. The rabbis said he was great because he did not think himself greater than others. In the primary lessons: In religion lessons the Beatitudes praise the meek; Jesus called himself «gentle and humble in heart», and Moses was called very meek. In stories a meek character may surprise everyone by being brave. Phrases: «meek and mild», «the meek shall inherit the earth», «meekly obey».

Examples

• Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men that were upon the face of the earth. — (Torah NUM.12.3, JPS 1917) tree →
• He said to her, 'My daughter, come and we ivill many thee to Abraham My beloved." She said to him, 'Xo. not until the meek one com- es and takes meekness.' God then consulted the Sefer Yetzirah, which said, "Yes'. (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914)) tree →

Note

Comparison: meeker, meekest. Noun: meekness. Trap: in the Bible, meek is a good thing (gentle and self-controlled); in everyday speech it can mean too weak. Similar: gentle, mild, humble.