humility

In the biblical world a value that directs persons to stay within their inherited social status, specifically by not presuming on others and avoiding even the appearance of lording over another. Humble persons do not threaten or challenge another’s rights, nor do they claim more for themselves than has been duly allotted them in life. They even stay a step below or behind their rightful status. To humble oneself is to declare oneself powerless to defend one’s status (Phil 2:9) and then to act accordingly—either factually by becoming powerless or ritually by setting aside the use of power, symbolized by fasting, rending garments, weeping, lamenting, confession (Lev 26:41; 1Kgs 21:29; 2Kgs 22:8-20; Ps 69:10). Such self-humiliation before God is praiseworthy (Prov 3:34; Jas 4:10; 1Pet 5:5-6; 2Cor 12:21) and obtains God’s help. Such humility is highly valued (Eph 4:2; Col 3:12).