Matthew 5:5

Sunday, 10 November 2024

Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

“Blessed – the benignant,
For they – they will inherit the land” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus noted the poor and that they would be comforted. Continuing now, it says, “Blessed – the benignant.”

Although it is a rare and almost wholly unknown word, the word meek, as almost all translations state, falls short of the intent. The word is praus. It goes beyond what one would think of as meek. HELPS Word Studies says, “This difficult-to-translate root (pra) means more than ‘meek.’ Biblical meekness is not weakness but rather refers to exercising God's strength under His control – i.e. demonstrating power without undue harshness. [The English term ‘meek’ often lacks this blend – i.e. of gentleness (reserve) and strength.]”

Of this word, Dictionary.com says, “kind, especially to inferiors; gracious: a benignant sovereign.” Thus, this is the closest English word to the intent of the original. Of such who demonstrate power without undue harshness, it next says, “For they – they will inherit the earth.”

As for the meaning of the word gé, here translated as “land,” the meaning depends on the context. It can mean earth, soil, land, region, country, and so forth. Without having any context, it is difficult to know the exact intent. However, that is only in the sense of Jesus’ words themselves.

There is a context in the broader sense, that He is speaking to Israel under the law. The promise to Abraham was that of the land of Israel. The promise during the Exodus was as well. When facing exile, the promise was a hope of a return to the land of Israel. And even today, it is the hope of the Jews to inherit the land.

For two thousand years, the annual cry has been, “Next year in Jerusalem.” They have resettled in the land, but they do not fully possess the land. Someday, that will change. This was and continues to be the messianic hope of the people of Israel.

They look for their own possession in the land of Israel. And this is what will be portioned out to them in the millennium. Thus, the word “land,” rather than the commonly translated “earth,” appears to make much more sense.

Life application: As has been stated repeatedly already, when presuppositions about Jesus speaking to the church are shoved into the Beatitudes, a faulty idea of what is being said will result.

It is not the hope of the land of Israel or the earth that the church holds. Rather –

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.” Philippians 3:20, 21

Thus, to cram the church into what Jesus is now saying causes a logical contradiction in one’s theology. If we are to inherit the earth, then why would we suppose we were going to inherit heaven?

Israel was promised a millennial reign where they would dwell in the land and rule the nations. This has always been their promise, and it will be realized someday. Be sure to think through why things are said. If it seems like there is a contradiction in what the Bible says elsewhere, then be sure to consider the context. In doing this, you will be in the sweet spot when it comes to avoiding errors in your theology.

Lord God, thank You for the heavenly hope we possess. We can stand firmly on it when we bury our loved ones. Instead of mourning, we can have great joy. Instead of trials, we can look at the difficulties as ways of molding us. In all things, and in all ways, we can forget the temporary when we look to the hope of the eternal. Thank You, O God, for Jesus, who has made this possible. Amen.