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Matthew 5: A eulogy of some blessed words on being blissfully happy
1. Matthew 5: A eulogy of some blessed words on being blissfully happy
Each of the Beatitudes in Matthew 5 start with the word
"blessed". What does it mean to say someone is "
blessed"?
The Latin word
"beati" ≈ "happy, fortunate, blessed" and is the origin of the English word
"beatitude" and the name of the "
Beatitudes". Latin has
one word as "
fortunate" for which Greek has
two separate words:
"blessed" from the Greek "happy" or "content".
"blessed" from the Greek "good words" as in "eulogy".
Observation: It is easier for a priest, pastor, etc., to wave their hands and
"bless" you than to actually make you
"happy".
In English, both words are merged as one
"blessed" and, historically, conflated with the word "
bliss" which is associated with "
joy".
2. Matthew 5:8 Bless your heart
Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. [kjv]
μακαριοι οι καθαροι τη καρδια οτι αυτοι τον θεον οψονται [gnt]
The phrase
"bless" your
"heart" is a
southern saying that has several meanings.
It might express sympathy.
It might be said before an insult - to soften the blow as in "well bless her heart".
It might be used as a nice way to say "you are not very smart" as in "well bless his heart".
One might hear it used about children who are not well-behaved.
3. Blessed are ...
4. Matthew 5:3
KJV: Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Greek: μακαριοι οι πτωχοι τω πνευματι οτι αυτων εστιν η βασιλεια των ουρανων
5. Matthew 5:4
KJV: Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Greek: μακαριοι οι πενθουντες οτι αυτοι παρακληθησονται
6. Matthew 5:5
KJV: Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Greek: μακαριοι οι πραεις οτι αυτοι κληρονομησουσιν την γην
7. Matthew 5:6
KJV: Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Greek: μακαριοι οι πεινωντες και διψωντες την δικαιοσυνην οτι αυτοι χορτασθησονται
8. Matthew 5:7
KJV: Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Greek: μακαριοι οι ελεημονες οτι αυτοι ελεηθησονται
9. Matthew 5:8
KJV: Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Greek: μακαριοι οι καθαροι τη καρδια οτι αυτοι τον θεον οψονται
10. Matthew 5:9
KJV: Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Greek: μακαριοι οι ειρηνοποιοι οτι αυτοι υιοι θεου κληθησονται
11. Matthew 5:10
KJV: Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Greek: μακαριοι οι δεδιωγμενοι ενεκεν δικαιοσυνης οτι αυτων εστιν η βασιλεια των ουρανων
12. Matthew 5:11
KJV: Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Greek: μακαριοι εστε οταν ονειδισωσιν υμας και διωξωσιν και ειπωσιν παν πονηρον ρημα καθ υμων ψευδομενοι ενεκεν εμου
13. Latin
14. Beatnik
This Latin word "
beati" does not appear to be related to "
beatnik" which was coined from the (music) "
beat" generation (Elvis Presley, Beatles, etc.) and the Russian ending "
-ник" which became popular for word endings after the launch of the Soviet "
Sputnik" satellite in 1957.
15. Sputnik as a traveling companion
Acts 19:29 And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre. [kjv]
The Russian for "
companions in travel" is
"спутник" (sputnik) ≈ "wayfarer, traveler", the name of the first artificial satellite of the Earth, launched into orbit on October 4, 1957.
Follow-on words to "
sputnik" included "
neatnik", "
peacenik" (formerly "
peace-monger"), etc., but
not picnic.
16. Greek happy
17. Modern Greek
18. Strongs - Happy
- *G3107 *50 μακάριος (mak-ar'-ee-os) : a prolonged form of the poetical makar (meaning the same); supremely blest; by extension, fortunate, well off:-- blessed, happy(X -ier).
- μακαριοι *26
- Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is ...
- Matthew 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
- Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
- Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for ...
- Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
- Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
- Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
- Matthew 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for ...
- Matthew 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and ...
- Matthew 13:16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: ...
- Luke 6:20 ... his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours ...
- Luke 6:21 Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.
- Luke 6:22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, ...
- Luke 10:23 ... his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:
- Luke 11:28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, ...
- Luke 12:37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh ...
- Luke 12:38 ... and find them so, blessed are those servants.
- John 13:17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
- John 20:29 ... thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not ...
- Romans 4:7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose ...
- 1 Peter 3:14 ... ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not ...
- 1 Peter 4:14 ... for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory ...
- Revelation 14:13 ... saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die ...
- Revelation 19:9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto ...
- Revelation 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that ...
- μακαριος *16
- Matthew 11:6 And blessed is he, who soever shall ...
- Matthew 16:17 ... answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar–jona: ...
- Matthew 24:46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord ...
- Luke 7:23 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not ...
- Luke 12:43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord ...
- Luke 14:14 And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense ...
- Luke 14:15 ... these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread ...
- Romans 4:8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not ...
- Romans 14:22 ... thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself ...
- 1 Timothy 6:15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, ...
- James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for ...
- James 1:25 ... of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
- Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, ...
- Revelation 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and ...
- Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in ...
- Revelation 22:7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings ...
- μακαρια *2
- Luke 1:45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance ...
- Luke 11:27 ... her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, ...
- μακαριον *2
- Acts 20:35 ... said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
- Acts 26:2 I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall ...
- μακαριαι
- Luke 23:29 ... in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs ...
- μακαριωτερα
- 1 Corinthians 7:40 But she is happier if she so ...
- μακαριου
- 1 Timothy 1:11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to ...
- μακαριαν
- Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious ...
19. Strongs - good words
- *G2127 *41 εὐλογέω (yoo-log-eh'-o) : from a compound of G2095 and G3056; to speak well of, i.e. (religiously) to bless (thank or invoke a benediction upon, prosper):--bless, praise.
- ευλογησεν *9
- Matthew 14:19 ... and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave ...
- Mark 6:41 ... up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and ...
- Luke 2:28 ... his arms, and blessed God, and said,
- Luke 2:34 And Simeon blessed them, and said ...
- Luke 9:16 ... and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, ...
- Luke 24:30 ... them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.
- Luke 24:50 ... he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.
- Hebrews 11:20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau ...
- Hebrews 11:21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; ...
- ευλογημενος *7
- Matthew 21:9 ... Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name ...
- Matthew 23:39 ... henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
- Mark 11:9 ... cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in ...
- Luke 1:42 ... and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of ...
- Luke 13:35 ... the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in ...
- Luke 19:38 Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in ...
- John 12:13 ... and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh ...
- ευλογησας *5
- Matthew 26:26 ... took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave ...
- Mark 8:7 ... a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them ...
- Mark 14:22 ... Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave ...
- Ephesians 1:3 ... Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all ...
- Hebrews 7:1 ... the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
- ευλογειτε *3
- Luke 6:28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for ...
- Romans 12:14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
- ευλογουμεν *3
- 1 Corinthians 4:12 ... with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
- 1 Corinthians 10:16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion ...
- James 3:9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and ...
- ευλογημενη *2
- Mark 11:10 Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that ...
- Luke 1:42 ... and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of ...
- ευλογων *2
- Luke 1:64 ... tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.
- Hebrews 6:14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and ...
- ευλογημενοι
- Matthew 25:34 ... his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, ...
- κατευλογει
- Mark 10:16 ... his hands upon them, and blessed them.
- ευλογειν
- Luke 24:51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from ...
- ευλογουντα
- Acts 3:26 ... Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away ...
- ευλογης
- 1 Corinthians 14:16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall ...
- ευλογουνται
- Galatians 3:9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
- ευλογησω
- Hebrews 6:14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and ...
- ευλογηκεν
- Hebrews 7:6 ... received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.
- ευλογειται
- Hebrews 7:7 ... all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.
- ευλογουντες
- 1 Peter 3:9 ... railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are ...
20. Greek good word
A word for "
blessing" in Greek is «
ευλογιά» which means, literally, a "
good word".
The modern Greek prefix "ευ" (ev) ≈ "good" as in "eugenics" (good genes), "euphemism" (nice saying), etc.
The modern Greek word "λόγος" (LO-gos) ≈ "word" as in "logic", words ending in "-ology", etc.
The English word "
eulogy" comes from the Greek word for "
blessing" and means, literally, a "
good word" about someone, usually at a funeral.
21. Good prefixes
The Greek "
eu" prefix comes through Latin in many words.
The "
Good News" is the source of the English word
"evangelical".
The Greek word for "
thank you" as in "
Eucharist" means, literally, a (recognition of a) "
good grace" or "
good favor".
22. A blessed comparison
Matthew 11:6 And blessed is he, who soever shall not be offended in me. [kjv]
και μακαριος εστιν ος αν μη σκανδαλισθη εν εμοι [gnt]
… happy … offended … [ty]
Latin has one word for which Greek has two separate words:
"blessed" as in "happy" or "content" (used here)
"blessed" as in "fortunate" or receiving a "good word" as in "eulogy".
In English, the word "
blessed" comes from the word for "
bloody" as in a ritual sacrifice. The meaning for "
bliss" was merged with "
blessed" and associated with "
getting something" and with "
joy" (another word mistranslated from the Greek).
23. Bliss as joy
24. Matthew 13:20
KJV: But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
Greek: ο δε επι τα πετρωδη σπαρεις ουτος εστιν ο τον λογον ακουων και ευθυς μετα χαρας λαμβανων αυτον
Wessex: Soðlice se þe ofer stan asawen is. þaet is se þe þaet godes word ge-hyrð & hraedlice þaet mid blisse onfegð.
Wycliffe: But this that is sowun on the stony loond, this it is, that herith the word of God, and anoon with ioye takith it.
25. Conflation
In English, both meanings were merged as one "
blessed" and, historically, conflated with the word "
bliss" as "
joy".
English:
KJV
Mark 10:16 … and blessed them. [kjv]
Middle English: Wycliffe
… and blisside hem. [wy]
Old English: Wessex Gospels
… settende bletsede hyo. [wes]
26. Mark 10:16
KJV: And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.
Greek: και εναγκαλισαμενος αυτα κατευλογει τιθεις τας χειρας επ αυτα ηυλογει αυτα
Wessex: Ða be-clepte he hyo & his hande ofer hyo settende bletsede hyo.
Wycliffe: And he biclippide hem, and leide hise hondis on hem, and blisside hem.
Let us look at some verses using "
bless" as "
good words" and then look at some verses using "
bless" as "
happy" or "
content".
27. Blessing food
Mark 8:7 And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them. [kjv]
Jesus said some "
good words" about the food. Today, one "
blesses" the food with a "
prayer" before eating. Jesus did this again at the "
Last supper".
Matthew 26:26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. [kjv]
28. Mark 8:7
KJV: And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them.
Greek: και ειχον ειχαν ιχθυδια ολιγα και ευλογησας αυτα ειπεν παραθειναι και αυτα ταυτα παρατιθεναι
Latin: et habebant pisciculos paucos et ipsos benedixit et iussit adponi
Wessex: & hyo naefden buten feawe fisxe. & he þä bletsede. & het be-foren heom asetten. & hyo swa dyden.
Wycliffe: And thei hadden a few smale fischis; and he blesside hem, and comaundide, that thei weren sette forth.
Luther: Und hatten ein wenig Fischlein; und er dankte und hieß dieselbigen auch vortragen.
29. Matthew 26:26
KJV: And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
Greek: εσθιοντων δε αυτων λαβων ο ιησους τον αρτον και ευλογησας εκλασεν και εδιδου δους τοις μαθηταις και ειπεν λαβετε φαγετε τουτο εστιν το σωμα μου
30. Latin
Marcum 8:7 et habebant pisciculos paucos et ipsos benedixit et iussit adponi [v]
The Latin word
"benedixit" ≈ "good words" which is the source of the English word "
benediction" which are "
good words" at the end of the service.
31. German
Markus 8:7 Und hatten ein wenig Fischlein; und er dankte und hieß dieselbigen auch vortragen. [lu]
Luther uses the German word
"dankte" ≈ "thanked" as in saying "
thank you". The German word is related to the English word
"thank" and the English word
"think".
32. Old English
33. Blessing with blood
34. English
35. Verses
How does the Greek definition of "blessed" as "happy" or "content" fit the following verses?
36. Morning has broken
Matthew 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. [kjv]
I heard one pastor (2021-02-07) explain that he could not think of anyone who could be happy about mourning or hungering and thirsting or suffering or being persecuted and so dismissed the Greek word used here and then used the other Greek word that fit his mind better.
37. Psalms 1: Here come the pigs
Psalms 1:1 Blessed is the man who has not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and has not stood in the way of sinners, and has not sat in the seat of evil men. [bs3]
μακιαριος ανηρ ος ουκ επορευθη εν βουλη ασεβων και εν οδω αμαρτωλων ουκ εστη και επι καθεδραν λοιμων ουκ εκαθισεν [lxx]
Psalms 1 presents an interesting bottom-up forward-chaining progression of the toleration and acceptance of sin. It is a slippery slope. From the "
not" and "
nor", there are three ways to
avoid.
1. walking in the counsel of the ungodly (associate like "fish")
2. standing with (in the way of) sinners (condone like "pigs")
3. sitting in the seat of scornful (participate like "birds")
Barnabas makes these connections but Jesus uses each of "
fish", "
pigs", "
birds" and "
sheep" (and others) in corresponding roles.
The word for "
walked" is the same word that is translated as "
go" in the mandate of the
Great Commission.
38. Psalms 1:1
KJV: Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
Hebrew: אשרי האיש אשר לא הלך בעצת רשעים ובדרך חטאים לא עמד ובמושב לצים לא ישב׃
Greek: μακαριος ανηρ ος ουκ επορευθη εν βουλη ασεβων και εν οδω αμαρτωλων ουκ εστη και επι καθεδραν λοιμων ουκ εκαθισεν
39. Matthew 11:6: Idiomatic misinterpretations that offend
Matthew 11:6 And blessed is he, who soever shall not be offended in me. [kjv]
και μακαριος εστιν ος αν μη σκανδαλισθη εν εμοι [gnt]
The ancient Greek word
"σκάνδαλον" ≈ "trap, snare" as in
entice,
tempt, etc. Jesus is speaking in Matthew 11:6.
The Greek word
"blessed" here means
"happy". The
"offended" means
"entrapped" as in being
"tricked" or
"deceived". Or is it? How could someone be
"deceived" by Jesus? How could someone be "
deceived" by themselves or someone else about what Jesus really means?
A simple
idiom as
"misinterpret" may explain this and other verses in the
GNT.
40. Matthew 11:6
KJV: And blessed is he, who soever shall not be offended in me.
Greek: και μακαριος εστιν ος εαν αν μη σκανδαλισθη εν εμοι
Latin: et beatus est qui non fuerit scandalizatus in me
Wessex: & eadig ys se þe ne swicð Note: MS. swicd. on me.
Wycliffe: And he is blessid, that shal not be sclaundrid in me.
Tyndale: And happy is he that is not offended by me.
Gothic: jah audags ist hvazuh saei ni gamarzjada in mis.
41. Bread
KJV:
Luke 14:15 And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God. [kjv]
Tyndale Middle English:
When one of them that sate at meate also hearde that he sayde vnto him: happy is he that eateth breed in the kyngdome of God. [ty]
42. Luke 14:15
KJV: And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.
Greek: ακουσας δε τις των συνανακειμενων ταυτα ειπεν αυτω μακαριος ος οστις φαγεται αρτον εν τη βασιλεια του θεου
Latin: haec cum audisset quidam de simul discumbentibus dixit illi beatus qui manducabit panem in regno Dei
Wessex: Ða þis ge-herde sum of þam sittenden. þa cwaeð he. eadig is se þe hlaf aet on godes riche.
Wycliffe: And whanne oon of hem that saten togider at the mete hadde herd these thingis, he seide to hym, Blessid is he, that schal ete breed in the rewme of God.
Tyndale: When one of them that sate at meate also hearde that he sayde vnto him: happy is he that eateth breed in the kyngdome of God.
Luther: Da aber solches hörete einer, der mit zu Tisch saß, sprach er zu ihm: Selig ist, der das Brot isset im Reich Gottes.
Spanish: Y oyendo esto uno de los que estaban sentados conÉl a la mesa, le dijo: Bienaventurado el que coma pan en el reino de Dios.
43. Romans
KJV:
Romans 14:22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. [kjv]
Tyndale Middle English:
Hast thou fayth? have it with thy selfe before god. Happy is he yt condempneth not him selfe in that thinge which he aloweth. [ty]
44. Romans 14:22
KJV: Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
Greek: συ πιστιν ην εχεις κατα σαυτον σεαυτον εχε ενωπιον του θεου μακαριος ο μη κρινων εαυτον εν ω δοκιμαζει
Latin: tu fidem habes penes temet ipsum habe coram Deo beatus qui non iudicat semet ipsum in eo quo probat
Wycliffe: Thou hast feith anentis thi silf, haue thou bifore God. Blessid is he that demeth not hym silf in that thing that he preueth.
Tyndale: Hast thou fayth? have it with thy selfe before god. Happy is he yt condempneth not him selfe in that thinge which he aloweth.
45. Revelation
KJV:
Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. [kjv]
Tyndale Middle English:
Happy is he that redith and they that heare the wordes of the prophesy and kepe thoo thinges which are written therin. For the tyme is at honde. [ty]
46. Revelation 1:3
KJV: Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
Greek: μακαριος ο αναγινωσκων και οι ακουοντες τους λογους της προφητειας και τηρουντες τα εν αυτη γεγραμμενα ο γαρ καιρος εγγυς
Latin: beatus qui legit et qui audiunt verba prophetiae et servant ea quae in ea scripta sunt tempus enim prope est
Wycliffe: Blessid is he that redith, and he that herith the wordis of this prophecie, and kepith tho thingis that ben writun in it; for the tyme is niy.
Tyndale: Happy is he that redith and they that heare the wordes of the prophesy and kepe thoo thinges which are written therin. For the tyme is at honde.
Spanish: Bienaventurado el que lee, y los que oyen las palabras de esta profecía, y guardan las cosas en ella escritas; porque el tiempo está cerca.
47. Psalms
Psalms 144:15 Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD. [kjv]
Luther uses the German word
"Wohl" ≈ "good, wealthy, prosperous" in this verse.
48. Psalms 144:15
KJV: Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.
Hebrew: אשרי העם שככה לו אשרי העם שיהוה אלהיו׃
Greek: εμακαρισαν τον λαον ω ταυτα εστιν μακαριος ο λαος ου κυριος ο θεος αυτου
Latin: tauri nostri pingues non est interruptio et non est egressus et non est ululatus in plateis nostris
Spanish: Bienaventurado el pueblo que tiene esto; bienaventurado el pueblo cuyo Dios es Jehová.
49. Hymns
50. End of page