Topical Encyclopedia
The term "lowest" in the Bible often refers to the most humble, base, or inferior position or state, whether in a physical, social, or spiritual context. It is used to describe both literal and metaphorical conditions, emphasizing humility, degradation, or the depths of human experience.
1.
Physical and Geographical Contexts:
· In a literal sense, "lowest" can refer to the deepest parts of the earth or sea. For example, in
Jonah 2:6 , Jonah describes his descent into the depths: "To the roots of the mountains I descended; the earth beneath me barred me in forever. But You raised my life from the pit, O LORD my God!" Here, the "roots of the mountains" and "the pit" signify the lowest parts of the earth, symbolizing Jonah's dire situation.
2.
Social and Hierarchical Contexts:
· The Bible often uses "lowest" to describe social status or rank. In
1 Samuel 2:8 , Hannah's prayer acknowledges God's power to elevate the humble: "He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; He seats them among princes and bestows on them a throne of honor." The "ash heap" represents the lowest social status, from which God can elevate individuals.
3.
Spiritual and Moral Contexts:
· Spiritually, "lowest" can refer to a state of moral degradation or humility. In
Psalm 86:13 , the psalmist praises God's deliverance from the depths of Sheol: "For great is Your loving devotion to me; You have delivered me from the depths of Sheol." Here, "the depths of Sheol" symbolize the lowest spiritual state, from which God redeems the faithful.
· The concept of humility is also tied to being "lowest." Jesus teaches in
Matthew 23:12 , "For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." This principle underscores the value of humility in the Kingdom of God, where the "lowest" in terms of self-perception may be elevated by divine grace.
4.
Prophetic and Eschatological Contexts:
· In prophetic literature, the "lowest" often describes the fate of nations or individuals who oppose God.
Ezekiel 26:20 speaks of the judgment on Tyre: "then I will bring you down with those who descend to the Pit, to the people of old. I will make you dwell in the earth below, as in ancient ruins, with those who go down to the Pit, so that you will not return or have a place in the land of the living." The "Pit" represents the lowest point of judgment and destruction.
5.
Christological Contexts:
· The concept of "lowest" is also seen in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, who exemplified humility by taking the lowest position for the sake of humanity.
Philippians 2:7-8 states, "but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross." Jesus' willingness to assume the lowest position highlights the redemptive power of humility and sacrifice.
In summary, the term "lowest" in the Bible encompasses a range of meanings, from physical depths to spiritual humility, and serves as a powerful reminder of God's ability to transform and elevate those who are humble or in dire circumstances.
Greek
2078. eschatos -- last, extreme... A superlative probably from echo (in the sense of contiguity); farthest, final
(of place or time) -- ends of, last, latter end,
lowest, uttermost.
...Strong's Hebrew
8482. tachti -- lower,lowest... 8481, 8482. tachti. 8483 . lower,
lowest. Transliteration: tachti Phonetic
Spelling: (takh-tee') Short Definition: lower. Word Origin
...8481. tachton -- lower,lowest
... 8480, 8481. tachton. 8482 . lower,lowest. Transliteration: tachton Phonetic
Spelling: (takh-tone') Short Definition: lower. Word...
7098. qatsah -- an end
... coast, corner,lowest, uttermost participle. Feminine of qatseh; a termination
(used like qatseh) -- coast, corner, (selv-)edge,lowest, (uttermost) participle....
8217. shaphal -- low
... Word Origin from shaphel Definition low NASB Word Usage abased (1), deeper (2),
humble (3), low (3), lower (2),lowest (1), lowly (5), subjection (1), which is...
8484. tikon -- middle
... Word Origin from the same as tavek Definition middle NASB Word Usagelowest
(1), middle (7), middle ones (2), second (1). middlemost, midst....
Library
Of Meditation: the First andLowest Degree of Internal Prayer. ...
... CHAPTER II. Of Meditation: the first andlowest degree of internal prayer.? Sec.
Sec. 1, 2. Of Meditation: the first andlowest degree of internal prayer....
TheLowest Degradation Reached by Degrees.
... Book XII. Chapter 10."TheLowest Degradation Reached by Degrees. 15. When
the soul then consults either for itself or for others...
Give Me theLowest Place: not that I Dare
... Book First CCCXLI Give me thelowest place: not that I dare. Ask for thatlowest
place, but Thou hast died... Give me thelowest place: or if for me....
The Highest Seeks theLowest.
... THE HIGHEST SEEKS THELOWEST. 6,6,8,6,8,8 Du unvergleichlich Gut. [222]Johann Scheffler.
trans. by Catherine Winkworth, 1869. O Good beyond compare!...
Whether to Guard Men Belongs Only to theLowest Order of Angels?
... OF THE GUARDIANSHIP OF THE GOOD ANGELS (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether to guard
men belongs only to thelowest order of angels? Objection...
"The Goodness of God is the Highest Prayer, and it Cometh Down to...
... THE FIRST REVELATION CHAPTER VI "The Goodness of God is the highest prayer,
and it cometh down to thelowest part of our need". "The...
"Himself is Nearest and Meekest, Highest andLowest, and Doeth All...
... THE SIXTEENTH REVELATION CHAPTER LXXX "Himself is nearest and meekest, highest and
lowest, and doeth all." Love suffereth never to be without Pity"....
Fragment vii. 1. He who Rescued from theLowest Hell the First...
... Part II."Dogmatical and Historical. Fragment VII. 1. He who rescued from
thelowest hell the first-formed man of earth when he?...
"Whereby we Cry, Abba, Father. "
... When he speaks of a donation or privilege, he supplies to the meanest, to show that
thelowest and most despised creature is not in any incapacity to receive...
Of the Fact that the Mystery of a Mediator was Made Known to those...
... In order, therefore, that we may be called off from thelowest objects, and led
up again to the highest, and in order also that what is made may attain to the...
Thesaurus
Lowest (28 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Lowest (28 Occurrences). Matthew 20:27 And whoever has
a desire to be first among you, let him take the
lowest place: (BBE).
...Least (76 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Smallest, either in size or degree; shortest;lowest; most unimportant;
as, the least insect; the least mercy; the least space....
Depths (56 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 32:22 For a fire is kindled in mine anger, And burneth unto thelowest
Sheol, And devoureth the earth with its increase, And setteth on fire the...
Nether-world (41 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 32:22 For a fire is kindled in mine anger, And burneth unto thelowest
Sheol, And devoureth the earth with its increase, And setteth on fire the...
Low (216 Occurrences)
... 26. (n.) Thelowest trump, usually the deuce; thelowest trump dealt or drawn. 27.
(adv.) In a low position or manner; not aloft; not on high; near the ground....
Gallery (2 Occurrences)
... not supported by pillars and therefore not on top of each other, but in terraces,
did take away from the upper stories more than from thelowest and middlemost...
Giver (21 Occurrences)
... Luke 14:9 And then the giver of the feast will come to you and say, Give your place
to this man; and you, with shame, will have to take thelowest seat. (BBE)....
Invited (49 Occurrences)
... Luke 14:9 and he who invited both of you would come and tell you,'Make room for
this person.' Then you would begin, with shame, to take thelowest place....
Foundation (82 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) That upon which anything is founded; that on which anything stands, and
by which it is supported; thelowest and supporting layer of a superstructure...
Foot (193 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) Thelowest part or base; the ground part; the bottom, as of a mountain or
column; also, the last of a row or series; the end or extremity, esp....
Resources
What is a pariah? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the hierarchy of angels? | GotQuestions.orgWhat were the key events in the life of Jesus Christ? (Part 3) | GotQuestions.orgLowest: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
