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Beatitude comes from the Latin word beatus, meaning happy or bliss. Beatitude has nothing to do with “BE-attitude”, and “blessed” may not be the best translation. Blessed is translated from Makarioi, meaning “Happy, blessed, to be envied” - Strong's G3107 [1]
Christ was a Jew, speaking to a Jewish audience, probably in Hebrew, probably not Greek. And the people who came to hear Him would have been familiar with the OT from weekly synagogue services. Christ did not invent a new rhetorical device for the Beatitudes. So when He said “blessed is the man”, they would have recognized the term. In Hebrew, it is “Ashre ha ish”. Ashre is used 45 times in the OT. Consider Psalm 1, in many Church of God hymnals it reads “Blessed and Happy is the man”. Most translations say either blessed OR happy.
I went through those 45 verses that contained the word ashre (easy with online tools), Strong's H0835 to see how it's used. Ashre is translated as happy (18) or blessed (27) . See Appendix 1 for more details on ashre, and Appendix 2 for details on baruch, another word translated blessed. As far as I can tell, the primary meaning for ashre is happy. In the overwhelming majority of verses, a human is called happy or blessed for obedience or righteousness. Some examples:
Psa 34:8 Blessed is the man that trusts in Him.
Psa 41:1 Blessed is he that considers the poor
Psa 119:2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies
Psa 128:2 Happy is every one that fears the LORD
Pro 14:21 Happy is he that has mercy on the poor.
Pro 29:18 Happy is he that keeps the law
Happy are the poor in spirit
Happy are they that mourn
Happy are they that hunger
Happy are they that are persecuted
I imagine these statements came as a surprise to that Jewish audience. These beatitudes are in a familiar motif (Happy are ...), but are challenging to hear, even now 2000 years later. The statements in the OT talk about blessings in this life. These beatitudes are speaking of the future – for example, the meek haven't inherited the earth yet.
I've just gotten through the first word... Though I do have more research on the word blessed.
The first of the beatitudes is this.
Nearly all English translations read exactly this way. How are we to understand the phrase “poor in spirit”? It seems like one of those things that we understand until we try to explain it to someone else. So let's dig deeper to see what poor in spirit means.
Poor, translated from ptochos – Strongs G4434 [2], literally means poor, like beggar or pauper. Spirit is translated from pneuma – Strongs G4151 [3], which like the Hebrew ruach can mean breath or spirit, depending on context. Someone “poor in Spirit” isn't referring to someone lacking the Holy Spirit. Lacking the Holy Spirit wouldn't make someone happy or blissful or blessed. The phrase “poor in spirit” does not occur as such in the OT, but we find something close in Pr 29:23.
Many translations say “humble in spirit” instead of “lowly in spirit”. I like using lowly because it parallels the first part of the verse, that is “low” and “lowly” are translated from the same word shafel.
From context, it's safe to say that shafel ruach does not mean “low breath”, but rather “low in spirit”. Likewise, “ptochoi pneuma” does not mean “poor breath”.
Here we have shafel contrasted with pride, so humble does seem like a good fit too. Low in spirit is the opposite of pride. Humble is the opposite of pride.
If you thought “poor in spirit” meant humble, you could be proud of yourself...
Did Jesus say shafel ruach to the assembled crowd? I think so. Remember He was talking to a Jewish audience, the phrase occurs in the OT a few times, and it occurs in rabbinic writings of Christ's time. Plus, there are manuscripts of the Gospel of Matthew in Hebrew. Scholars have determined that these are NOT direct translations from the Greek. For example, in the Beatitudes, several verses are missing from some manuscripts. Some argue that Matthew first wrote his gospel in Hebrew, then in Greek - Wiki(Matthew) [4]. Some argue that it was a translation from another language - Wiki(Shem_Tob) [5] . Whatever the case, the “Shem Tov” Hebrew Gospel of Matthew is pre 14th century.
In other words, the Hebrew Matthew says “low in spirit” not “poor in spirit”, which would match the language in the OT.
How do these writers differentiate between humble and low-spirited?
One lesson is knowing that a person CAN lower his own spirit, in this context it means to control ones desires. Another is that “this phrase, low of spirit, has this connotation not only of humility, but humility in the pursuit of peace.” [6] You might say he is more than humble.
Yeah, but! I'm not a doormat! Maybe the offense is too big to overlook, too egregious to ignore. Maybe it rises to the level of commandment breaking. What then?
Consider the ultimate example of what Jesus did. He was right. The Pharisees and the government were wrong. Using this terminology, He lowered His spirit and allowed Himself to be crucified. On the cross, He said “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do”. (Luke 23:34) He subordinated His own wishes for the sake of those who hated Him.
Also consider Jesus overturned the money changers tables and drove them out with a whip. (Mark 11:15, John 2:14-16) And a day is coming where Jesus will execute judgment.
When do we lower our spirit? When do we fight? There is not one answer for every situation.
We spend a lifetime learning the difference. In this life, there are probably more times we should lower our spirits for the sake of peace. If you find yourself arguing over how to load the dishwasher or which way the toilet paper roll goes on the holder, stop and consider lowering your spirit. If it's too late to stop the argument, the path to peace probably involves one or both of you lowering your spirit.
But if you're a baker asked to make a wedding cake for a gay couple, you may have to fight. As Solomon wrote:
I went through every verse that contained the Hebrew word ashre, Strong's number H0835, 45 verses in all. Ashre is translated as blessed or happy. As far as I can tell, the primary meaning for ashre is happy, but I would like to hear from an actual Hebrew scholar about this.
I then lifted the phrase containing “blessed/happy is” from those verses to see who is being blessed or happy for what. Sometimes the blessing is in the verse, most times not. For example Psa 41:1 “Blessed is he that considers the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.” Some verses I rearranged so the “blessed/happy is” part came first. For instance, Pro 14:21 “He that despises his neighbor sins: but he that has mercy on the poor, happy is he.” became “Happy is he that has mercy on the poor.”
In nearly all cases, the subject of ashre is human, receiving the blessing in this life for living righteously. An interesting counter example is Job 5:17 “Happy is the man whom God corrects”. Correction does not feel like happiness at the time, and the reward may not come in the flesh.
H0835 Translated as Blessed
Psa 1:1 Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly
Psa 2:12 Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
Psa 32:1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven
Psa 32:2 Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputes not iniquity
Psa 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD
Psa 34:8 Blessed is the man that trusts in Him.
Psa 40:4 Blessed is that man that makes the LORD his trust
Psa 41:1 Blessed is he that considers the poor
Psa 65:4 Blessed is the man whom You chooses
Psa 84:4 Blessed are they that dwell in Your house
Psa 84:5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in You
Psa 84:12 Blessed is the man that trusts in You.
Psa 89:15 Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound
Psa 94:12 Blessed is the man whom You chasten
Psa 106:3 Blessed are they that keep judgment
Psa 112:1 Blessed is the man that fears the LORD
Psa 119:1 Blessed are the undefiled in the way
Psa 119:2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies
Psa 128:1 Blessed is every one that fears the LORD
Pro 8:32 Blessed are they that keep my ways.
Pro 8:34 Blessed is the man that hears Me
Isa 30:18 Blessed are all they that wait for Him.
Isa 32:20 Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters
Isa 56:2 Blessed is the man ... that keeps the sabbath from polluting it
H0835 Translated as Happy
1Ki 10:8 Happy are your men ... that hear your wisdom.
Job 5:17 Happy is the man whom God corrects
Psa 127:5 Happy is the man that has his quiver full of them (children)
Psa 128:2 Happy is every one that fears the LORD
Psa 137:8 Happy shall he be that rewards you as you have served us.
Psa 144:15 Happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.
Psa 146:5 Happy is he that has the God of Jacob for his help
Pro 3:13 Happy is the man that finds wisdom
Pro 14:21 Happy is he that has mercy on the poor.
Pro 16:20 Happy is he that handles a matter wisely
Pro 28:14 Happy is the man that fears always
Pro 29:18 Happy is he that keeps the law
The Hebrew word barak or barukh, Strong's H1288, also means blessed, and is translated that way over 300 times. It appears the root meaning is kneel. I picked just the references in Psalms to get an idea of its usage, that is to see if there are statements similar to the ashre statements for H0835. Nearly all instances of barukh refer to God. In English, bless means to bestow something on someone – how then do we bless God?
H1288 translated as Blessed in Psalms
Psa 18:46 Blessed be my rock
Psa_28:6 Blessed be the LORD, because he has heard the voice of my supplications.
Psa_31:21 Blessed be the LORD: for he has shewed me his marvelous kindness in a strong city.
Psa_37:22 For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth
Psa_41:13 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting
Psa_66:20 Blessed be God, which has not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.
Psa_68:19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits
Psa_68:35 Blessed be God.
Psa_72:18 Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only does wondrous things.
Psa_72:19 Blessed be his glorious name for ever
Psa_89:52 Blessed be the LORD for evermore
Psa_106:48 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting
Psa_113:2 Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore.
Psa_118:26 Blessed be he that comes in the name of the LORD
Psa_124:6 Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as a prey to their teeth.
Psa_128:4 Blessed be the man that fears the LORD.
Psa_135:21 Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwells at Jerusalem
Psa_144:1 Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teaches my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:
I've just gotten through the first word... Though I do have more research on the word blessed.
The first of the beatitudes is this.
Mt 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Nearly all English translations read exactly this way. How are we to understand the phrase “poor in spirit”? It seems like one of those things that we understand until we try to explain it to someone else. So let's dig deeper to see what poor in spirit means.
Pr 29:23 JPS A man's pride shall bring him low; But he that is of a lowly spirit shall attain to honor.
Many translations say “humble in spirit” instead of “lowly in spirit”. I like using lowly because it parallels the first part of the verse, that is “low” and “lowly” are translated from the same word shafel.
Pr 29:23 A man’s pride will bring him shafel, but a shafel ruach will obtain honor.
From context, it's safe to say that shafel ruach does not mean “low breath”, but rather “low in spirit”. Likewise, “ptochoi pneuma” does not mean “poor breath”.
Here we have shafel contrasted with pride, so humble does seem like a good fit too. Low in spirit is the opposite of pride. Humble is the opposite of pride.
If you thought “poor in spirit” meant humble, you could be proud of yourself...
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| First Page Shem Tov |
Shem Tov doesn’t have the Hebrew behind the Greek. Shem Tov has a completely different word, the word shafel. And the word shafel means low - Nehemiah Gordon [6].
In other words, the Hebrew Matthew says “low in spirit” not “poor in spirit”, which would match the language in the OT.
But Wait, There's More
“Low in spirit” is an idiom, that is, a phrase that cannot be understood from the individual meanings of its words - wordnik [7]. Here are some English idioms. You can know the meaning of the individual words, but not the meaning of the phrase.
bee's kneesblue in the facepiece of cakecold turkeyfifth column
Biblical Hebrew has idioms too. In Ex 4:14, God is "hot of nose" toward Moses. Every translator knows that means angry.
We CAN look at how the phrase was used by Jewish writers 2000 years ago. Two examples.
We CAN look at how the phrase was used by Jewish writers 2000 years ago. Two examples.
A person should only teach someone who is wise and humble and low spirited. [6]
the way of learned men is to be humble and low-spirited, (as if they’re two different things). [6]
How do these writers differentiate between humble and low-spirited?
How does he lower his spirit? If a man curses him, he says shalom (peace). If a man strives with him, he is silent. [6]
One lesson is knowing that a person CAN lower his own spirit, in this context it means to control ones desires. Another is that “this phrase, low of spirit, has this connotation not only of humility, but humility in the pursuit of peace.” [6] You might say he is more than humble.
This describes someone who swallows their own pride, suppresses their own desires for the sake of peace. Even if he knows he is right - peace is more important. Hence the saying “you can be right, or you can be happy” - Goodreads [8.] It's all too easy to get defensive, our sense of justice wells up when we feel we've been wronged. But someone who can “lower their spirit” even in the face of unfairness is a peacemaker.
Yeah, but! I'm not a doormat! Maybe the offense is too big to overlook, too egregious to ignore. Maybe it rises to the level of commandment breaking. What then?
Consider the ultimate example of what Jesus did. He was right. The Pharisees and the government were wrong. Using this terminology, He lowered His spirit and allowed Himself to be crucified. On the cross, He said “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do”. (Luke 23:34) He subordinated His own wishes for the sake of those who hated Him.
Is 11:4 And with the breath of His lips He will slay the wickedRev 19:11 With righteousness He judges and wages war.
When do we lower our spirit? When do we fight? There is not one answer for every situation.
We spend a lifetime learning the difference. In this life, there are probably more times we should lower our spirits for the sake of peace. If you find yourself arguing over how to load the dishwasher or which way the toilet paper roll goes on the holder, stop and consider lowering your spirit. If it's too late to stop the argument, the path to peace probably involves one or both of you lowering your spirit.
But if you're a baker asked to make a wedding cake for a gay couple, you may have to fight. As Solomon wrote:
Ecc 3:7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;Ecc 3:8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
Being low in spirit seems to be the way to achieve humility and peace. Here are some additional verses to reflect on concerning "low in spirit".
Matt 5:10 Happy are those who pursue peace, for they will be sons of God.
Rom 12:18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.
Pr 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath
Eph 5:21 submit to one another
Php 2:3Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
Pr 16:32 Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
James 4:6 God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble
Psalm 34:14 Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
Rom 12:18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.
1 Co 6:7 Even to have such lawsuits with one another is a defeat for you. Why not just accept the injustice and leave it at that? Why not let yourselves be cheated?
References
1. https://biblehub.com/matthew/5-3.htm
2. http://lexiconcordance.com/greek/4434.html
3. http://lexiconcordance.com/greek/4151.html
4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbinical_translations_of_Matthew
5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shem_Tob's_Hebrew_Gospel_of_Matthew
6. https://www.nehemiaswall.com/hgp-plus-14
7. https://www.wordnik.com/words/idiom
8. https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/314270-you-can-be-right-or-you-can-be-happy
Appendix 1
I went through every verse that contained the Hebrew word ashre, Strong's number H0835, 45 verses in all. Ashre is translated as blessed or happy. As far as I can tell, the primary meaning for ashre is happy, but I would like to hear from an actual Hebrew scholar about this.
I then lifted the phrase containing “blessed/happy is” from those verses to see who is being blessed or happy for what. Sometimes the blessing is in the verse, most times not. For example Psa 41:1 “Blessed is he that considers the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.” Some verses I rearranged so the “blessed/happy is” part came first. For instance, Pro 14:21 “He that despises his neighbor sins: but he that has mercy on the poor, happy is he.” became “Happy is he that has mercy on the poor.”
In nearly all cases, the subject of ashre is human, receiving the blessing in this life for living righteously. An interesting counter example is Job 5:17 “Happy is the man whom God corrects”. Correction does not feel like happiness at the time, and the reward may not come in the flesh.
H0835 Translated as Blessed
Psa 1:1 Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly
Psa 2:12 Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
Psa 32:1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven
Psa 32:2 Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputes not iniquity
Psa 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD
Psa 34:8 Blessed is the man that trusts in Him.
Psa 40:4 Blessed is that man that makes the LORD his trust
Psa 41:1 Blessed is he that considers the poor
Psa 65:4 Blessed is the man whom You chooses
Psa 84:4 Blessed are they that dwell in Your house
Psa 84:5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in You
Psa 84:12 Blessed is the man that trusts in You.
Psa 89:15 Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound
Psa 94:12 Blessed is the man whom You chasten
Psa 106:3 Blessed are they that keep judgment
Psa 112:1 Blessed is the man that fears the LORD
Psa 119:1 Blessed are the undefiled in the way
Psa 119:2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies
Psa 128:1 Blessed is every one that fears the LORD
Pro 8:32 Blessed are they that keep my ways.
Pro 8:34 Blessed is the man that hears Me
Isa 30:18 Blessed are all they that wait for Him.
Isa 32:20 Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters
Isa 56:2 Blessed is the man ... that keeps the sabbath from polluting it
H0835 Translated as Happy
1Ki 10:8 Happy are your men ... that hear your wisdom.
Job 5:17 Happy is the man whom God corrects
Psa 127:5 Happy is the man that has his quiver full of them (children)
Psa 128:2 Happy is every one that fears the LORD
Psa 137:8 Happy shall he be that rewards you as you have served us.
Psa 144:15 Happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.
Psa 146:5 Happy is he that has the God of Jacob for his help
Pro 3:13 Happy is the man that finds wisdom
Pro 14:21 Happy is he that has mercy on the poor.
Pro 16:20 Happy is he that handles a matter wisely
Pro 28:14 Happy is the man that fears always
Pro 29:18 Happy is he that keeps the law
Appendix 2
The Hebrew word barak or barukh, Strong's H1288, also means blessed, and is translated that way over 300 times. It appears the root meaning is kneel. I picked just the references in Psalms to get an idea of its usage, that is to see if there are statements similar to the ashre statements for H0835. Nearly all instances of barukh refer to God. In English, bless means to bestow something on someone – how then do we bless God?
H1288 translated as Blessed in Psalms
Psa 18:46 Blessed be my rock
Psa_28:6 Blessed be the LORD, because he has heard the voice of my supplications.
Psa_31:21 Blessed be the LORD: for he has shewed me his marvelous kindness in a strong city.
Psa_37:22 For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth
Psa_41:13 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting
Psa_66:20 Blessed be God, which has not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.
Psa_68:19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits
Psa_68:35 Blessed be God.
Psa_72:18 Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only does wondrous things.
Psa_72:19 Blessed be his glorious name for ever
Psa_89:52 Blessed be the LORD for evermore
Psa_106:48 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting
Psa_113:2 Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore.
Psa_118:26 Blessed be he that comes in the name of the LORD
Psa_124:6 Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as a prey to their teeth.
Psa_128:4 Blessed be the man that fears the LORD.
Psa_135:21 Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwells at Jerusalem
Psa_144:1 Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teaches my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:
