Mean
Mean as Lowly or Common
In several Bible passages, 'mean' is used as an adjective describing someone of low social status or insignificance. Isaiah 2:9 distinguishes between the "mean man" and the "great man," using the contrast to show that all classes of society will be humbled before God. Isaiah 5:15 similarly declares, "The mean man shall be brought down, and the mighty man shall be humbled" — emphasizing that divine judgment levels all social distinctions.
Paul used a related concept when describing his hometown: "I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city" (Acts 21:39). The Greek word here means "not without distinction" or "not obscure." Paul was asserting that Tarsus was a significant and reputable city, not some backwater village. This usage of "mean" as "insignificant" or "obscure" was common in older English and appears throughout the King James Version.
Mean as Purpose or Intention
The verb "mean" frequently carries the sense of "to intend" or "to purpose." One of the most theologically significant examples comes from Joseph's words to his brothers: "You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good" (Genesis 50:20). Here the same verb is used twice with opposite subjects, creating a powerful statement about divine sovereignty — human beings act with one intention while God simultaneously works toward a different and redemptive purpose.
Isaiah 10:7 applies this concept to Assyria: "But he does not so intend, and his heart does not so think" — the Assyrian king meant one thing by his conquest, but God meant another. The verb captures the idea that behind human purposes lies a divine purpose that transcends and sometimes contradicts human intention.
What Do You Mean?
Several passages use "mean" in the sense of "to signify" or "to denote." When the Israelites celebrate the Passover, Moses anticipates that children will ask, "What do you mean by this service?" (Exodus 12:26). The question asks for the significance behind the ritual. Similarly, when the Ark of the Covenant was brought into the Israelite camp and the Philistines heard the great shout, they asked, "What does the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews mean?" (1 Samuel 4:6). In Luke 15:26, the older brother asked a servant "what these things meant" when he heard music and dancing at his father's house.
These passages reveal a pattern: in the biblical narrative, events regularly provoke the question of meaning. Things happen that demand interpretation, and the correct interpretation often reveals God's purposes at work behind observable events.
Means as Agency or Instrument
The noun "means" refers to the agency or method by which something is accomplished. Paul wrote that Christ is the mediator of the new covenant "by means of death" (Hebrews 9:15) — His death was the instrument through which redemption was achieved. In other passages, "means" describes the practical methods people use: Solomon imported horses "by means of" his merchants (1 Kings 10:29), and Paul expressed his desire to reach the Corinthians "by all means" (1 Corinthians 9:22) — that is, through every possible method.
Meanwhile and In the Meantime
The word "mean" also appears in temporal expressions like "in the meanwhile" and "in the meantime." These phrases mark transitions in narrative or indicate simultaneous action. While Elijah prepared for the coming rain, "in the meanwhile" the sky grew dark (1 Kings 18:45). As Jesus waited by the well, "in the meantime" his disciples urged him to eat (John 4:31). These expressions are simple grammatical constructions but serve important narrative functions, connecting parallel storylines and marking the passage of time.
Theological Reflection
The varied uses of "mean" in Scripture converge on a central biblical theme: the relationship between appearance and reality, between human perception and divine purpose. The "mean" person of low status may be precious in God's sight. What humans "mean" for evil, God "means" for good. The "meaning" of events is often hidden until God reveals it. This cluster of usages reminds readers that the Bible consistently invites them to look beyond surface appearances to discover the deeper purposes of God.
Biblical Context
The word 'mean' appears across Scripture in multiple senses: as an adjective for 'lowly' (Isaiah 2:9; 5:15; Acts 21:39), as a verb for 'intend' (Genesis 50:20; Isaiah 10:7), as 'signify' (Exodus 12:26; 1 Samuel 4:6; Luke 15:26), and as a noun for 'agency' (Hebrews 9:15; 1 Kings 10:29). It also appears in temporal phrases throughout narrative texts.
Theological Significance
The various meanings of 'mean' illuminate the biblical theme of divine sovereignty working through and beyond human intention. Genesis 50:20 is the classic expression: human evil serves God's good purposes. The question 'what does this mean?' recurs at pivotal moments, teaching that events require spiritual interpretation. The use of 'mean' for social status reminds readers that God's values differ from human assessments of importance.
Historical Background
The word 'mean' in English has undergone significant semantic change since the King James Version was produced in 1611. In early modern English, 'mean' as an adjective commonly meant 'lowly' or 'of humble origin,' without the modern connotation of 'unkind.' The multiple Hebrew and Greek words translated 'mean' reflect diverse concepts that English required different words to express. Modern translations typically replace 'mean' with more precise terms, making knowledge of the older usage helpful for readers of traditional Bible versions.