M-K-K means coming down low, by lowering yourself or by being brought low. Where most translations say meek, the Qala says gentle, and in the Beatitude those who are softening, because the change is still under way. Yeshua uses this root for the great reversal of high and low.
| Form | Pattern | Transliteration | Script | Standard | Qala rendering |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| makkikha | adjective | makkikha | מכיכא ܡܟܝܟܐ | meek, humble | gentle; in the Beatitude, "those who are softening" |
| namek | causative verb, imperfect | namek | נמך ܢܰܡܶܟ݂ | to humble, to abase | to bring low (Mt 23:12) |
| makkikhuta | abstract noun | makkikhuta | מכיכותא ܡܟܝܟܘܬܐ | humility | lowliness (not found in the Gospels) |
In the Gospels the verb appears in the Aphʿel, namek, to bring low or humble, including oneself, and in the Ethpaʿʿal, nethmakkakh, to be brought low, both in Matthew 23:12.
Find where your body is holding itself up for other people, and lower it an inch. Stay that way for one minute, then say makkikha, gentle, slowly and aloud.