In the Beatitudes,
Jesus used a poetic technique of creating multiple puns using three of the four
letters from the Hebrew spelling of “blessed” pronounced “ash'rey.” The Beatitudes
are a Hebrew poem. In the concluding verse, Jesus changes the first word of the
verse “blessed” pronounced “ash'rey” into “who” pronounced “asher” by changing
one letter in the word “Blessed.” The puns used in the Beatitudes would’ve had
an effect on a Hebrew speaking audience.
Matthew 5:5 Blessed
{“Blessed” (אשרי) ash'rey} are the meek, for they shall inherit {“Shall inherit” (ירשו) yarash} the earth.
Matthew 5:8 Blessed
{“Blessed” (אשרי) ash'rey} are the pure in heart, for they shall see
{“Shall see” (יראו) raah} God.
Matthew 5:9 Blessed
{“Blessed” (אשרי) ash'rey} are the peacemakers, for they shall be
called {“Shall be called” (יקראו) kara} sons of God.
Matthew 5:11 Blessed
{“Blessed” (אשרי) ash'rey} are you when {“Are
you when” (כאשר) kaasher} they revile you and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil
against you [falsely] for my sake.
Matthew 5:19 Whoever
then {“Who” (ואשר) asher} breaks one of the least of these
commandments and teaches men so, shall be called {“Shall
be called” (יקראו) kara}
least in the kingdom of heaven. But he who does them and teaches them shall be called {“Shall be called” (יקראו) kara} great in the kingdom of heaven.
Note: most scholars
believe that Jesus spoke a Semitic language either Aramaic or Hebrew or both.
Based on the book,
“The Passion: The Poetry of God”
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