Topical Encyclopedia
Definition: The term "abase" refers to the act of lowering in rank, office, prestige, or esteem. In a biblical context, it often signifies humbling oneself or being humbled by God. The concept of abasement is frequently associated with humility and the recognition of one's dependence on God.
Biblical Usage: The idea of abasement is prevalent throughout the Bible, where it is often contrasted with exaltation. The Scriptures emphasize that those who humble themselves will be exalted by God, while those who exalt themselves will be humbled.
Key Verses:1.
Matthew 23:12 : "For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." This verse highlights the principle that self-exaltation leads to abasement, while humility leads to exaltation.
2.
Luke 14:11 : "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted." Similar to
Matthew 23:12, this verse underscores the divine reversal of human pride and humility.
3.
Philippians 4:12 : "I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. I am accustomed to any and every situation—to being filled and being hungry, to having plenty and having need." Here, the Apostle Paul speaks of his ability to abase himself and live humbly, regardless of his circumstances.
4.
James 4:10 : "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you." This verse encourages believers to voluntarily abase themselves before God, with the promise of divine exaltation.
Theological Significance: Abasement is a key theme in Christian theology, reflecting the virtue of humility. It is seen as a necessary attitude for believers, who are called to recognize their limitations and rely on God's grace. The act of humbling oneself is often portrayed as a pathway to spiritual growth and divine favor.
Examples in Scripture:·
Nebuchadnezzar's Humbling (Daniel 4): King Nebuchadnezzar is an example of someone who was abased by God due to his pride. After boasting about his achievements, he was humbled by losing his sanity and living like an animal until he acknowledged God's sovereignty.
·
Jesus' Teaching on Humility (Luke 18:9-14): In the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, Jesus illustrates the principle of abasement and exaltation. The tax collector, who humbles himself before God, is justified, while the self-righteous Pharisee is not.
Practical Application: Believers are encouraged to practice humility in their daily lives, recognizing that true greatness in the kingdom of God comes through service and self-abasement. This involves acknowledging one's weaknesses, seeking God's guidance, and serving others selflessly.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v.) To degrade; to lower in rank or esteem; to dishonor.
2. (v.) To cast down or reduce low or lower, as in rank, office, condition in life, or estimation of worthiness; to depress; to humble; to degrade.
3. To throw or cast down; as, to abase the eye.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ABASEa-bas': The English rendition of shaphel (Job 40:11Ezekiel 21:26), and of its derivative shephal (Daniel 4:37) = "bring down," "debase," "humble"; of `anah (Isaiah 31:4) = "abase self," "afflict," "chasten self," "deal harshly with," etc.; and of tapeinoo = "to depress"; figure "to humiliate" (in condition or heart): "abase," "bring low," "humble self" (Philippians 4:12). The word is always employed to indicate what should be done to or by him who nurtures a spirit and exhibits a demeanor contrary to the laudable humility which is a natural fruit of religion. Such a person is warned that the most extravagant audacity will not daunt Yahweh nor abate His vengeance (Isaiah 31:4), and good men are exhorted to employ their powers to bring him low (Job 40:11Ezekiel 21:26). If men are not able to curb the arrogant, God is (Daniel 4:37); and He has so constituted the world, that sinful arrogance must fall (Matthew 23:12 the King James Version;Luke 14:11 the King James Version;Luke 18:14 the King James Version).
Frank E. Hirsch
Greek
2758. kenoo -- to empty... From kenos; to make empty, ie (figuratively) to
abase, neutralize, falsify -- make
(of none effect, of no reputation, void), be in vain. see GREEK kenos.
...5013. tapeinoo -- to make low, fig. to humble
... to humble. From tapeinos; to depress; figuratively, to humiliate (in condition or
heart) --abase, bring low, humble (self). see GREEK tapeinos....
Strong's Hebrew
8213. shaphel -- to be or become low, to be abased... root Definition to be or become low, to be abased NASB Word Usage
abase (4), abased
(6), been abased (1), bring him low (1), bring down (1), brings down (1
...6031. anah -- to be bowed down or afflicted
... 6030b, 6031. anah. 6031a . to be bowed down or afflicted. Transliteration:
anah Phonetic Spelling: (aw-naw') Short Definition: defile.abase self, defile...
8214. shephel -- to be low
...abase, humble, put down, subdue. (Aramaic) corresponding to shaphel --abase, humble,
put down, subdue. see HEBREW shaphel. 8213, 8214. shephel. 8215 ....
Library
Other Graces Bestowed on the Saint. The Promises of Our Lord to...
... I bless His Majesty, andabase myself, because I am still more deeply in His debt;
and I believe that He makes my desire to serve Him grow, and my love revive....
Sermon for the Second Sunday in Lent
... Neither God nor all His creatures could thenabase and annihilate them so thoroughly
as they wouldabase, and accuse, and annihilate themselves in the sight of...
Of the Mortification of the Affections of the Will...
... sins, joining therewith that imperfect discursive knowledge of our own nothing and
God's totality, endeavouring by these two to humble andabase ourselves, so...
What Jesus Says of the Meaning of his Miracles
... The Messiah was to play a brilliant part and to authenticate himself by incomparable
miracles; "With an iron rod" was he to shake off andabase all enemies of...
Unbelievers in the Blood of Christ Shall be Condemned.
... is able to receive it, let him receive it." [1012] Let no man's place, or dignity,
or riches, puff him up; and let no man's low condition or povertyabase him....
Further Reasons for Practising Patience. Its Connection with the...
... Well, who is humble, except he be patient? For no one canabase himself without
patience, in the first instance, to bear the act of abasement....
Our Attitude Toward his Sovereignty
... dust and ashes" (Job 42:5, 6). Thus, a sight of God, God revealed in awesome majesty,
caused Job to abhor himself, and not only so, but toabase himself before...
God's Sovereignty and Prayer
... 1 John 5:14). Throughout this book it has been our chief aim to exalt the
Creator andabase the creature. The well-nigh universal...
The Good Man Useful in Life and Happy in Death.
... And it is observable that the term perfect is never assumed by the saints. They
confess their own emptiness andabase themselves before God....
On the Nativity of John the Baptist the First Sermon
... Man must always learn toabase himself in this most blessed way of blindness,
in disease, in doing nothing and in being nothing. Oh!...
Thesaurus
Abase (7 Occurrences)... humble; to degrade. 3. To throw or cast down; as, to
abase the eye.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
ABASE. a-bas': The
...Abased (17 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (imp. & pp) ofAbase. 2. (a.) Lowered; humbled.
3. (a.) Borne lower than usual, as a fess; also, having...
Humble (97 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) Hornless. See Hummel. 4. (vt) To bring low; to reduce the power,
independence, or exaltation of; to lower; toabase; to humiliate....
Overflowing (54 Occurrences)
... Job 40:11 Pour forth the overflowings of thine anger; And look upon every
one that is proud, andabase him. (Root in ASV BBE NAS RSV)....
Overflowings (2 Occurrences)
... (See JPS ASV). Job 40:11 Pour forth the overflowings of thine anger; And look
upon every one that is proud, andabase him. (ASV NAS RSV)....
Growl (11 Occurrences)
... the young lion growling over his prey, if a multitude of shepherds is called together
against him, will not be dismayed at their voice, norabase himself for...
Growling (4 Occurrences)
... the young lion growling over his prey, if a multitude of shepherds is called together
against him, will not be dismayed at their voice, norabase himself for...
Growls (2 Occurrences)
... the young lion, growling over his prey, though a multitude of shepherds be called
forth against him, will not be dismayed at their voice, norabase himself for...
Turban (13 Occurrences)
... 21:26 thus says the Lord Yahweh: Remove the turban, and take off the crown; this
shall be no more the same; exalt that which is low, andabase that which is...
Resources
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