Matthew 05:03-20 Jesus made a Hebrew poem

In Matthew 05:03-20, Jesus made a Hebrew poem using wordplay between the word “Blessed” and the following words and phrases:


“Blessed” אשרי
"Are the Poor or Humble in Spirit" רוח שפלי
“Shall Inherit” ירשו
“Shall See” יראו
“Shall be Called” יקראו
“Are you When” כאשר
“He who Shall” ואשר
“Teach” אשר
“Pharisees” הפרושים

3 “Blessed {“Blessed” (אשרי)} are the poor in spirit {“Poor [or humble] in spirit” (רוח שפלי)}, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed {“Blessed” (אשרי)} are those who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed {“Blessed” (אשרי)} are the meek,
for they shall inherit {“Shall inherit” (ירשו)}the earth.
6 Blessed {“Blessed” (אשרי)} are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed {“Blessed” (אשרי)} are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed {“Blessed” (אשרי)} are the pure in heart,
for they shall see {“Shall see” (יראו)} God.
9 Blessed {“Blessed” (אשרי)} are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called {“Shall be called” (יקראו)} sons of God.
10 Blessed {“Blessed” (אשרי)} are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed {“Blessed” (אשרי)} are you when {“Are you when” (כאשר)} they revile you and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you [falsely] for my sake. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how shall it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. 14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand. And it gives light to all in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. 17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will by any means pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Whoever then {“He who shall” (ואשר)} breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches {“Teach” (אשר)} men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But he who does them and teaches {“Teach” (אשר)} them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees {“Pharisees” (הפרושים)}, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

J. Clontz – Editor of the Comprehensive New Testament



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