Hebrew in Greek (2)
Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10
Persecuted – Matthew writes with Hebrew idioms, not Greek concepts. Sometimes the difference between these two worldviews makes all the difference in our translations into English. When it does, we often discover that entire doctrines point in the wrong direction.
Let’s take apart this English (Greek) statement and see what we find. First, we know that the Greek predicate adjective makarios (blessed) is properly the Hebrew ‘esher (see any number of the Psalms). This is a statement about a state of bliss, not a blessing from God. The Beatitudes are not spiritual formulae for getting God’s favor. They are descriptions of those who enjoy heavenly bliss. In other words, I don’t get something by being persecuted (or poor in spirit, or merciful, or pure in heart, etc.). God doesn’t reward me with a slice of the pie for all my good efforts. These “blessings” are really descriptions of the state of well-being of those who already exhibit the characteristics that reflect godliness. So, we can begin correcting this translation by rewriting it like this: “A state of bliss [describes] those who . . .” Who what?
The only verb here is dioko. It means “to persecute, to pursue, to prosecute.” These synonyms may all be seen in a negative light, except for “pursue.” Pursue can be either a good thing or a bad thing. This variation shows up in the Hebrew equivalent term, radaph (e.g. Exodus 15:9). The LXX uses the Greek dioko for the Hebrew radaph – to pursue, not to persecute. So, Matthew’s recounting of Yeshua’s statement is not about persecution. It is about pursuing. “A state of bliss [describes] those who are pursuing righteousness.” Now the rest of the sentence makes perfect sense. Those who pursue righteousness are experiencing the kingdom as a present reality.
Of course, we need to make some corrections to the very odd Greek phrase “for theirs is the kingdom.” Even Greek scholars recognize that this phrase cannot be taken at face value. Why? Because no follower actually gets a piece of the kingdom. The kingdom is the reign and rule of God. It is not subject to legal partitioning. It can’t be subdivided. In fact, the Greek expression literally says, “for because of them the kingdom is.” In other words, in perfect Hebrew parlance, pursuing the kingdom actually brings about the kingdom. The kingdom is because there are those who pursue righteousness and because they pursue righteousness, they can be described as experiencing a state of bliss.
You have to be thinking in Hebrew to get it, don’t you? Does this make you wonder how many conclusions drawn from the Greek text might need to be reconsidered?
Topical Index: pursue, persecute, dioko, radaph, Matthew 5:10, Exodus 15:9
I’m going to have to go and read the Beatitudes with a whole new view of their meaning! That’s really neat! And it does make more sense, at least to me, since Jesus’ work on the cross is not about a system of rewards, but about relationships and obedience. Or maybe my view is just very simplistic.
Amanda
No, your view isn’t simplistic. It’s just started in the right direction. Most of the stuff you read on the Beatitudes, even by very popular authors, is written as if Yeshua thought in Greek and spoke about life just last week. Very soon we will offer a DVD series of lectures taped in Israel. One is about the Beatitudes, shot in the same vicinity where they were first uttered. It makes a difference. Look for the announcement.
Amanda- Skip wrote a series on the beatitudes a while back..- maybe (Skip and Patrick) we could get a repost?
My favorite “distilled description” of the beatitudes are “attitudes that ought to be”. As Skip alluded to in “today’s word” (persecuted) it is our “mindset” that matters. Or as another has stated- “our attitude determines our altitude.” “Blessing” is a state of “being” (not having!) As “one thing leads to another” (it’s all connected isn’t it?)- We who are His are called by His name, and His name is “I am.” (a state of being!) Wow!
We have been instructed by the word of G-d to “let” (allow) ‘this mind’ be in you which also was in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 2.5) “phroneo”- mindset/attitude- some may call it “worldview.” It is to “see” life from Another’s eyes. What does YHWH think about this thing? What would Jesus do? (in this situation/circumstance). We (now) have the “mind” of Christ.
It may have fallen into a state of disrepair due to lack of use, but according to the book- (I’ve never known it to be wrong) we (now) have the “mind of Christ!”
Now, how do ‘you’ know what’s on my mind? – (helpful household hint- go back and “reread” my comments on ‘today’s word.” That’s right! – My words are displaying for all the world to see (hello world!) the contents of my mind. (I tried writing without using my mind- but I had trouble with the spelling..lol!)
How can we “know” the mind of Christ? How can we (the sheeple) “know” His wants, wishes, desires, purposes-wisdom and will? Uh-huh.- “It is written.” It’s all contained within the contents of a book. (“Back to the bible once again..”) -Just can’t seem to get away from G-d’s blessing book…-
“Today’s word” has a source. Our words have a source. Our words also have “a force!” “By your words you shall be justified and by your words you shall be condemned”.. (uh-oh!!) – Time to zip the lip?
But dear brothers and sisters we need to speak!! Adam did not “remember” the words of YHWH and failed to remind Eve of the instructions of YHWH! Adam! Are you a man or mouse? “Squeak up!”..
Y’all, – I have been “persecuted” for His name’s sake… Yes.. that’s right.. I have. “Goodness” and “Mercy” have “followed me” (they relentlessly pursue me!) all the days of my life! They just won’t give up or give in- I am being “hunted” by my “Hunter/Lover!” Praise His name! We are His!
Amanda,
Skip has an audio series on the Beatitudes, “Six hours of audio rediscovering The Beatitudes from the perspective of Yeshua’s 1st century Jewish audience.”. Just click on the tab Books & Audio on the top of the page and download. He has other insightful teachings. The Genesis one is really good.
Yeah, I just found the Beatitudes one! I’m listening to Genesis right now. I need more time driving so I can listen more! 🙂 I’ll definitely be on the lookout for Beatitudes from Israel! I was blessed to grow up in Russia, but Israel definitely tops my list of places I want to go before I die or before Yeshua returns, whichever comes first (although I imagine that His return will DEFINITELY top anything I could see in Israel).
Thanks! Amanda
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this!!! Thank you for posting. I love biblical word studies. I was looking for the equivalent of Dioko in Hebrew. This explained it perfectly for me. Thank you so very much. I would love to learn and study this Hebraic worldview more. It just makes so much more sense of the Bible. Todah!