praus

Semantic range

1. 1mild, gentle
2. 2not self-assertive; humble
3. 3used of a horse that has been broken to the bridle

Greek writers used the related noun prautēs of a war horse trained to obedience — enormous power, entirely under direction. That is the sense to carry into "blessed are the meek" (Matthew 5:5) and into Christ's self-description: "I am meek and lowly in heart" (Matthew 11:29), said by the person Latter-day Saints identify as the Creator.

Meekness in scripture is therefore not weakness or timidity. Moses, who confronts Pharaoh, is called the meekest man on earth (Numbers 12:3). Elder Neal A. Maxwell taught meekness as the disposition that makes all other virtues teachable, and Mosiah 3:19 lists it in the natural man's surrender: submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love.

See also

• μακάριοςmakarios
• ὑπομονήhypomonē
• κενόωkenoō