We did a word study on the meaning of the term meek as in the beatitudes and it appears the original term that it was derived from in the original Greek meant something like fearless obedience not passive or shy.
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Blessed are the meek
(Mat 5:5 NIV) Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
What is the meaning of the word “meek”?
There is no one word that can capture the full meaning of the Greek word praus, which is translated meek. This word carries several meanings.
It has the meaning of humility. In the following verse, Jesus, the King, comes to us riding on an ass. He did not come in a mighty horse. He was not born in a mighty palace but in a stable.
(Mat 21:5-7 KJV) Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. {6} And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, {7} And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.
Meekness also has the meaning of gentleness.
(1 Pet 3:4 KJV) But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
The meek in KJV has been translated as gentle in NIV.
(1 Pet 3:4 NIV) Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.
Meekness does not mean weakness.
Matt 5:5 says that the meek will inherit the land. In Josh 1:6, God told Joshua to be strong so that he will inherit the land. Therefore meekness does not equate to weakness.
Jesus was a meek Man. Yet we would not describe Him as weak.
(Josh 1:6 NIV) "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them.