jen'-t'-l-nes (`anah; epieikeia, chrestotes): In2Sa 22:36`anah, "to bend low," "to condescend," is translated "gentleness," "Thy gentleness hath made me great," the Revised Version, margin "or condescension"; so alsoPs 18:35, where the word is `anwah "humility," "gentleness," or "condescension." In the New Testament epieikeia ("fairness," "moderation," inAc 24:4translated "clemency") is in2Co 10:1translated "gentleness," "the meekness and gentleness of Christ" (2 Macc 2:22 "favour," the Revised Version (British and American) "forbearance"); chrestotes, "kindness," "usefulness," is translated "gentleness" inGa 5:22the King James Version, the Revised Version (British and American) "kindness"; chrestos is the word translated "kind" (to the unthankful and evil,Lu 6:35), and chrestotes seems to carry in it a similar idea of active kindness.
Gentle occurs in the Old Testament only in the Revised Version (British and American) ofJer 11:19, "I was like a gentle lamb" (kebhes). In the New Testament it is the translation of epios, "mild," "gentle" (1Th 2:7;2Ti 2:24), and of epieikes, "fitting" "proper," etc. (1Ti 3:3the Revised Version (British and American);Tit 3:2;Jas 3:17;1Pe 2:18); also, with article,Php 4:5(the King James Version "moderation," the Revised Version (British and American) "forbearance"). In 2 Macc 15:12 Onias is said (the King James Version) to be "gentle (praos) in condition," the Revised Version (British and American) "in manner."
W. L. Walker