Anavah
Today’s post is an excerpt from Dave Adamson’s book 52 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know. He is an Australian pastor, photographer, author, content creator, and YouTuber living in Atlanta. After spending a decade as a TV reporter in Australia, Dave now serves as the Social Media Pastor at North Point Ministries. He is married to Meg and has three daughters, Chelsea, Ella, and Jordyn. Dave was in Regi Campbell’s mentoring group in 2018.
Have you ever been humbled by nature? Have you ever walked through a field of tulips or watched a sunset and been reminded how incredibly awesome God is and how small you are by comparison? It’s humbling. The Hebrew word anavah is what we translate as “humility,” but the literal definition of anavah is to occupy your God-given space in the world—to not overestimate yourself or your abilities, but to not underestimate them either.
There’s a story in the Bible about a group of people who tried to build a tower to heaven in order to “make a name of ourselves” (Genesis 11:4). They wanted fame—to be known, respected, and honored for their achievements. Their motivation was the opposite of anavah, because they wanted to take up more than their God-given space in the world. They overestimated themselves and their abilities.
We live in a world of likes, retweets, followers, fans, and favorites, and it’s easy to determine our self-worth based on how many—or how few—of these we have. When we underestimate our worth or ourselves, that is not anavah. It is not humility.
Growing up, I was taught that humility was thinking less of yourself by taking up the smallest possible space. But anavah is about being aware of and comfortable with your place. When we do this, we don’t take up so much space that it squeezes others out, and we don’t take up so little space that our responsibilities fall to others. What if, just for today, you resolved to serve others by simply taking up the space God has given you to occupy? Nothing more, nothing less.
Scripture: He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8)
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Responses (21)
I thank God for this new understanding of humility (Anavah).
Thanks, Pastor Dave Adamson.
Blessings!
I was listening to Pastor Dave this morning through the Bible App and you got me really thinking on this, thank you so much, it truly has helped me to understand clearly how I must take up the space God has given me to occupy, nothing more or nothing less! Thank you!!
The Holy Spirit spoke to me through your article this morning. I truly want to occupy the space that God has given to me in this world. Knowing these truths helps me to rest in God and his direction for me and not compare or be envious of anyone else.
I humbly surrender all to my Father and wait on Him to realign my priorities with His priorities
I would like to study and discuss this further
Amazing! Just watched you on New version and stumbled on this article echoing it. Today I will focus on occupying my God-given space in the world wholeheartedly, with everything He’s given me and do it to elevate Him. Thank-you!
[…] not overestimate yourself or your abilities, but to not underestimate them either.” (https://radicalmentoring.com/anavah/). I encourage you to go and read this article. It’s a good […]
Enjoyed you on youversion! Bless you
Sis. Monique
What if you are being taken advantage of ? When others don’t think about what they do hurts your thoughts and worth to the point of big life changes.
This was a great revelation for me. Thank you pastor and I thank God and his loving words in Bible for our redemption.
This was a great revelation for me. Thank you pastor and I thank God and his loving words in Bible for our redemption.
Greetings from the Philippines!
This is the first time I have heard the Hebrew meaning of Anavah, to occupy your God-given space in the world. It literally changed my old understanding of what humility really means.
Thank you Pastor Dave for teaching us the Hebrew meaning of Anavah. God bless you.
Hi Dave! First, loved this! I just wanted to ask for references on where you found this meaning? Using Blue Letter Bible I’m only finding “to be brought low.” I’d like to study this further. Please and thank you!
Awesome thoughts and revelation. So, how do we understand and take this exact God-given space in this world??
Thank You ?
I have been really blessed this morning – I engaged the Word via the YouVersion “Verse Of The Day” as I usually would, however, today’s thought took a different dimension as I got an affirmation through the insight shared by Pastor Dave.
I wanted to know more about the the word “Avanah” and that’s how I found myself here – It puts into perspective for me, the way God, through His spirit, has helped me to see my journey and place in the life I have been given – not overestimating or underestimating my God-given place in His ultimate plan.
Another word that comes to mind is “Alignment”- with God’s will and purpose.
Thank you Pastor Dave for sharing. God bless you! “Avanah” will stick with me for the rest of my life.
I just watched you on today’s scripture on The Bible app. I had to do more research on this word Anavah. Thank you for sharing this with me. It was my morning breakfast. My prayer for today is that God will show me how to take up my God given space.
Would love to know where you found this Hebrew definition of “anavah”, as I cannot seem to find a reliable source to back up this intriguing definition. Everything I have found points to the more traditional translations of humbleness, meekness, etc. Thanks for sharing!
We are stewards of our lives which means we are stewards of the space that God grants us on earth. We must focus on where when and how we are positioned and posture ourselves according to God. It is God who gives us every good and perfect gift from above. It’s our responsibility to operate in God’s will. This will deter us from overestimating or underestimating ourselves because our time space and abilities are God-given. We live move and breathe through Him. Thank you for your breakdown of humility. I will strive to be more aware of the God-given space allowed me because it’s not my own to do with what I want but to do what He wills.
So I’m confused. I was so intrigued by your post, I started my own devotional on the word Anavah (Strong # 6038). I could only find it in OT. I then found Tapeinoo (Strong # 5013) in NT. Does Tapeinoo have the same definition because I love the idea that we need to take up our God-given space? (I’m a nurse not a bible techy person). Thanks
Thank you Pastor Dave, I saw you yesterday on the You version app talking about this new perspective on humility. It’s truly opened my eyes big time on what’s possible. God bless you real good ♥️♥️
Powerful word, like many Christians I believed humility was to think yourself less then others once I read the Hebrew definition I understood God’s intention
After 50 years I finally understand what humility means. I always had a hard time with combining “grounded confidence” with humility, and learning about “anavah” has put two and two together for me! Thank you for this insight.
Quick question your quote and the phrase you used in your YouVersion devotional…did you get them from Bobby Greunewald’s tweet on humility? I’m working on a project and I’m trying to nail down who to give credit to. In his tweet the Hebrew word is misspelled “avanah” and in your devotional it is as well. And worded exactly like his tweet. Thanks for your help.