Matthew 5:9-12 The Poetry of Persecution and the Pursuit of Peace, a Poem by Jesus

Jesus creates a Hebrew poem about persecution in the sermon of the mount using rhymes for:

“Make or Pursue” (רודפי) [the Hebrew reads “Blessed are those who pursue peace”]
“Persecuted” (הנרדפים)
“Persecute” (ירדפו)
“Persecuted” (רדפו)

“Rejoice” (שישו)
“Reward” (ששכרכם)

9 Blessed are the peacemakers {“Make or Pursue” (רודפי)},
for they shall be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted {“Persecuted” (הנרדפים)} for righteousness’ sake,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are you when they revile you and persecute {“Persecute” (ירדפו)} you, and say all kinds of evil against you [falsely] for my sake. 12 Rejoice {“Rejoice” (שישו)} and be glad, for great is your reward {“Reward” (ששכרכם)} in heaven, for so they persecuted {“Persecuted” (רדפו)} the prophets who were before you. [The Gospel of Matthew: A Poetic Analysis]

Dr. J. Clontz, Aidan University – Editor of the Comprehensive New Testament