Blessed

The Beatitudes (continued) 
Blessed (are . . . .) –

The word in English that is used repeatedly in “The Beatitudes” –

          Matthew 5:3-12 is “blessed.”

          The word “beatitude” is an old English (15^th century) term that means

                   “supreme happiness.”

Hebrew has two words that we translate at “bless.”

          One is the term “barak” – which comes from a root verb that means

                   “to bow down.”

When used in relationship with God, that is, when we bless the Lord,

it means “to consecrate” or “to honor (to adore).”

(Nehemiah 9:3-5; Psalm 100:4; 10:31)

          When used in relationship with man – to bless someone, it is seen 

                    as a rich benefit to/for that person.

(Genesis 12:2-3; Numbers 6:23-27) 

“Blessed” – in Genesis 14;19 Melchizedek declares that both Abram and Abram’s 

                   God are to be blessed.

The term “blessed” in the Beatitudes, however, is a translation of the “esher.” 

This is the word David used in Psalm 1-2:   

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the way of the wicked or stand in the way 

                   of sinners or sit in the seat of the mockers. But his delight is in the law 

                   of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Such a one, a blessed person, is “supremely happy!” And notice, too, that such a person receives tremendous benefits, enumerated in verse 3, in addition to being such a supremely happy individual! The blessings continue to be felt over time.

As we enter into our study of the Beatitudes as taught by Jesus in Matthew 5, we will remember to look for, and expound upon, the benefits that come to these blessed ones.