Bible scholars, what did the word "blessed" mean when Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount?

Question

(If you are not an expert, I have been told you can still figure it out, if you re-read The Sermon on the Mount --- very carefully.)

Clue: I have heard that the answer was expunged from most Church records.

Father K - That was wonderful. That is very close to what I seemed to have heard, but partially have forgotten.

Dear DewCoons - I am so glad you showed up. -- You and Father K are my go to people for complexing things I hear in my daily life. - Of course, these other folks give us great opinions.

Answer 1

Blessing simply means "set aside for a purpose"

Answer 2

CONFIRMED ATHIEST--God Bless You, but please get your facts straight. Mithra was a myth written 400 years AFTER Christ's death and resurrection by a man hired to write a story of about a hero for a queen. It is logically inconsistent to think that the myth of Mithra had ANYTHING to do with the Gospel accounts of Christ, as the Gospels were written 400 years BEFORE Mithra even came on the scene.

Secondly, the Bible as we have it today is comprised of the EXACT same texts the ancient Jews had and still use today, plus the New Testament, ALL (NT) of which was written within 70-90 years of the death and resurrection of Christ. It was not an adulteration of the Hebrew texts---it IS the Hebrew texts PLUS the Gospel of Christ and the Epistles, along with the Revelation of John. Now, the Catholic Bible adds the Apochrypha, which are 11 books that the Hebrews did not consider to be Holy Scripture. Why they are included, only the Catholics know.

Answer 3

Happy. From the Greek word Makarios. Strong 3107.

And no you can not get this meaning from the English translation of the Sermon of the Mount or the Sermon of the Plain.

Answer 4

Greek "makarios" meaning "Blessed" or "Happy".

Same word used in Acts 26:2...
I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before you...

Father K - The Greek word "hagios" means "set apart" or "holy". That is not the word used in the Sermon on the Mount. For one, it would certainly not work in Acts 26:2.

Answer 5

The Greek word is 'makarios' which means to declare holy or glorify.

EDIT: in response to an above answer, markarios does NOT mean "happy" in any way shape or form! Does it make sense to say that people who mourn are happy? No. That is a huge translational error!

Check out this link for why "happy" is a terrible translation: http://www.ad2000.com.au/articles/2007/jun2007p10_2556.html

Answer 6

Comes from the Greek word "makareeos". Root word "makar". Means to be extremely blessed, fortunate, and well off. Sometimes translated to be "happy".

It occurs another 49 times in the New Testament, and is used by every New Testament writer (except Jude in his one chapter long book).

It is also commonly found in other greek writtings, including the works of Homer, Plato, Artistocle, and more. Very common word.

So I am not quite sure what you mean by it being "expunded" from records.

Answer 7

Strong's Number G3107 matches the Greek μακάριος (makarios).

1) blessed, happy

Answer 8

Blessed means to have good things given to you "Blessed are the peacemakers for they will inherit the Earth" If God gives you good things, you are blessed. There is no 2nd meaning to the word as if to mean righteous or Holy like many will say the word as "BlessED" to imply someone is holier than someone else. ie calling Mary "The BlessED Mother" she is "blessed" in being given good things, but not holier than others.

Answer 9

The blessed were gods. Rich people. The elite. Or those who died and passed into the realm of the gods.

In Matthew, it is not the privilege who are blessed - but the lowly.

Answer 10

Does it really matter? The entire bible is based on taking the Hebrew Bible out of context and adding Mithraism and Paganism to the mix.

Here's a link if you want to know how the Jews view God and what the messiah was supposed to be and do.

http://www.messiahtruth.com/response.html#education