Matthew 5:5

5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

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Matthew 5:5 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
English Standard Version (ESV)
5 "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
New Living Translation (NLT)
5 God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.
The Message Bible (MSG)
5 "You're blessed when you're content with just who you are - no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.
American Standard Version (ASV)
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
5 Blessed are those who are gentle. They will inherit the earth.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
5 Blessed are the gentle, because they will inherit the earth.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
5 Blessed are those who are free of pride. They will be given the earth.

Matthew 5:5 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 5:5

Blessed are the meek
Who are not easily provoked to anger; who patiently bear, and put up with injuries and affronts; carry themselves courteously, and affably to all; have the meanest thoughts of themselves, and the best of others; do not envy the gifts and graces of other men; are willing to be instructed and admonished, by the meanest of the saints; quietly submit to the will of God, in adverse dispensations of providence; and ascribe all they have, and are, to the grace of God. Meekness, or humility, is very valuable and commendable. The Jews, though a proud, haughty, and wrathful people, cannot but speak in its praise:

``Wisdom, fear, and meekness, say F2 they, are of high esteem; but (hwne) , "meekness", is greater than them all.''

They had two very considerable doctors in the time of Christ, Hillell and Shammai; the one was of a meek, the other of an angry disposition: hence, say they F3,

``Let a man be always meek as Hillell, and let him not be angry as Shammai.''

Here meekness is to be considered, not as a moral virtue, but as a Christian grace, a fruit of the Spirit of God; which was eminently in Christ, and is very ornamental to believers; and of great advantage and use to them, in hearing and receiving the word; in giving an account of the reason of the hope that is in them; in instructing and restoring such, who have backslidden, either in principle or practice; and in the whole of their lives and conversations; and serves greatly to recommend religion to others: such who are possessed of it, and exercise it, are well pleasing to God; when disconsolate, he comforts them; when hungry, he satisfies them; when they want direction, he gives it to them; when wronged, he will do them right; he gives them more grace here, and glory hereafter. The blessing instanced, in which they shall partake of, is,

they shall inherit the earth;
not the land of Canaan, though that may be alluded to; nor this world, at least in its present situation; for this is not the saints' rest and inheritance: but rather, the "new earth", which will be after this is burnt up; in which only such persons as are here described shall dwell; and who shall inherit it, by virtue of their being heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; whose is the earth, and the fulness thereof. Though some think heaven is here designed, and is so called, partly for the sake of variety of expression, from ( Matthew 5:3 ) and partly in allusion to the land of Canaan, a type of it; and may be called an earth, or country, that is an heavenly one, in opposition to this earthly one; as the heavenly Jerusalem is opposed to the earthly one, and which will be a glorious inheritance. The passage, referred to is ( Psalms 37:11 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F2 Piske Tosaphot Yebamot, art. 196.
F3 T. Bab. Sabbat. fol. 30. 2.

Matthew 5:5 In-Context

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

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Cross References 1

  • 1. Psalms 37:11; Romans 4:13
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