{"id":1054,"date":"2012-09-08T01:42:00","date_gmt":"2012-09-08T01:42:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.matsati.com\/bblog2\/client\/index.cfm\/2012\/9\/7\/Psalms-1--Walking-in-the-counsel-of-God"},"modified":"2023-01-30T22:08:31","modified_gmt":"2023-01-30T22:08:31","slug":"psalms-1-walking-in-the-counsel-of-god-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/psalms-1-walking-in-the-counsel-of-god-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Psalms 1 – Walking in the counsel of God"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This week\u2019s study is from <\/span>Tehillim \/ Psalms<\/span> chapter 1. The first chapter of the book of Psalms serves as a preface to the entire collection of the five books of the Psalms. The author of this Psalm is speaking of the true blessedness of the righteous man and approaches the blessedness of the righteous by stating in a negative perspective what a righteous man will do. <\/span>\u05d0 \u05d0\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9-\u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b4\u05d9\u05e9\u05c1 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d4\u05b8\u05dc\u05b7\u05da\u05b0 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e6\u05b7\u05ea \u05e8\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05e2\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05d3\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05da\u05b0 \u05d7\u05b7\u05d8\u05bc\u05b8\u05d0\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05e2\u05b8\u05de\u05b8\u05d3 \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05de\u05d5\u05b9\u05e9\u05c1\u05b7\u05d1 \u05dc\u05b5\u05e6\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d9\u05b8\u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05d1:<\/span> 1:1 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! (NASB)<\/span> The Psalm examines the contrast of the peaceful way of the righteous with the desperation of the wicked. The righteous man does not allow himself to be influenced by the unrighteous and instead delights in spending time mediating upon the Word of God (the Torah) day and night. The blessedness of the righteous is analogized with the healthiness and fruitfulness of a tree that is nourished by rivers of water and whatever the righteous man puts his hand to he prospers (<\/span>Tehillim \/ Psalms 1:3<\/span>). The wicked on the other hand are not blessed. They are like chaff driven by the wind. In judgment they will not stand and though they may be in the midst of the congregation of the righteous they will not be blessed (<\/span>Tehillim \/ Psalms 1:4-5<\/span>). The Psalm concludes with a contrast between the two paths a man chooses to take, (i) the way of the righteous is known by God and is blessed and provided for and (ii) the way of the ungodly is destruction. In this week\u2019s study we look at the meaning of the blessedness of the man (<\/span>\u05d0\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9-\u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b4\u05d9\u05e9\u05c1<\/span>) that walks in righteousness and Yeshua\u2019s words in <\/span>Matthew 5:1-12. <\/span>What is this blessedness that <\/span>Yeshua is referring to when he said <\/span>\u201cBlessed are the poor in spirit, Blessed are those who mourn, Blessed are the gentle, Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, Blessed are the merciful, Blessed are the pure in heart, Blessed are the peacemakers, Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, and Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me?\u201d<\/span> How can we understand the blessedness of these things according to the writings of the Tanach (Torah, Neviim, and Ketuvim)?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u05e2\u05d1\u05e8\u05d9\u05ea Hebrew \u05d0\u05e8\u05de\u05d9 Aramaic \u03b5\u03bb\u03bb\u03b7\u03bd\u03b9\u03ba\u03cc\u03c2 Greek<\/span><\/p>\n<\/colgroup>\n\n\n\n
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\u05e1\u05e4\u05e8 \u05ea\u05d4\u05dc\u05d9\u05dd \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d0
<\/span><\/strong>\u05d0 \u05d0\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9-\u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b4\u05d9\u05e9\u05c1 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d4\u05b8\u05dc\u05b7\u05da\u05b0 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e6\u05b7\u05ea \u05e8\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05e2\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05d3\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05da\u05b0 \u05d7\u05b7\u05d8\u05bc\u05b8\u05d0\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05e2\u05b8\u05de\u05b8\u05d3 \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05de\u05d5\u05b9\u05e9\u05c1\u05b7\u05d1 \u05dc\u05b5\u05e6\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d9\u05b8\u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05d1: \u05d1 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b4\u05dd-\u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05ea\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8\u05b7\u05ea \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d7\u05b6\u05e4\u05b0\u05e6\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05ea\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8\u05b8\u05ea\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d9\u05b6\u05d4\u05b0\u05d2\u05bc\u05b6\u05d4 \u05d9\u05d5\u05b9\u05de\u05b8\u05dd \u05d5\u05b8\u05dc\u05b8\u05d9\u05b0\u05dc\u05b8\u05d4: \u05d2 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b8\u05d9\u05b8\u05d4 \u05db\u05bc\u05b0\u05e2\u05b5\u05e5 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05ea\u05d5\u05bc\u05dc \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc-\u05e4\u05bc\u05b7\u05dc\u05b0\u05d2\u05b5\u05d9 \u05de\u05b8\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05e4\u05bc\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05d9\u05d5\u05b9 | \u05d9\u05b4\u05ea\u05bc\u05b5\u05df \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e2\u05b4\u05ea\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e2\u05b8\u05dc\u05b5\u05d4\u05d5\u05bc \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d9\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05dc \u05d5\u05b0\u05db\u05b9\u05dc \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8-\u05d9\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e9\u05b6\u05b9\u05d4 \u05d9\u05b7\u05e6\u05b0\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9\u05d7\u05b7:<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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\u05e1\u05dd\u05e8 \u05d8\u05d5\u05d1\u05d9\u05d4 \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d0
<\/span><\/strong>\u05d0 \u05d8\u05d5\u05d1\u05d9\u05d4 \u05d8\u05d5\u05d1\u05d5\u05d4\u05d9 \u05d3\u05d2\u05d1\u05e8 \u05d3\u05dc\u05d0 \u05d4\u05dc\u05d9\u05da \u05d1\u05de\u05dc\u05db\u05ea \u05e8\u05e9\u05d9\u05e2\u05d9\u05df \u05d5\u05d1\u05d0\u05d5\u05e8\u05d7\u05ea \u05d7\u05d9\u05d9\u05d1\u05d9\u05df \u05dc\u05d0 \u05e7\u05dd \u05d5\u05d1\u05e1\u05d9\u05e2\u05ea \u05de\u05de\u05d9\u05e7\u05e0\u05d9 \u05dc\u05d0 \u05d0\u05d9\u05e1\u05ea\u05d7\u05e8\u05c3 \u05d1 \u05d0\u05d9\u05dc\u05d4\u05df \u05d1\u05e0\u05de\u05d5\u05e1\u05d0 \u05d3\u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d4 \u05e8\u05e2\u05d5\u05ea\u05d9\u05d4 \u05d5\u05d1\u05d0\u05d5\u05e8\u05d9\u05ea\u05d9\u05d4 \u05de\u05e8\u05e0\u05d9\u05df \u05d9\u05d5\u05de\u05dd \u05d9\u05d9\u05de\u05dd \u05d5\u05dc\u05d9\u05dc\u05d9\u05c3 \u05d2 \u05d5\u05d9\u05d4\u05d9 \u05db\u05d0\u05d9\u05dc\u05df \u05d7\u05d9\u05d9 \u05d3\u05e0\u05e6\u05d9\u05d1 \u05e2\u05dc \u05d8\u05d5\u05e8 \u05d5\u05e4\u05d9 \u05de\u05d5\u05d9 \u05d3\u05d9 \u05d0\u05d9\u05e0\u05d1\u05d9\u05d4 \u05de\u05d1\u05e9\u05dc \u05d1\u05e2\u05d9\u05d3\u05e0\u05d9\u05d4 \u05d5\u05d0\u05d8\u05e8\u05e4\u05d5\u05d9 \u05dc\u05d0 \u05e0\u05ea\u05e8\u05d9\u05df \u05d5\u05db\u05dc \u05dc\u05d5\u05d1\u05dc\u05d1\u05d5\u05d9 \u05d3\u05de\u05dc\u05d1\u05dc\u05d1 \u05de\u05d2\u05e8\u05d2\u05e8 \u05d5\u05de\u05e6\u05dc\u05d7\u05c3<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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YALMOI<\/span> 1
<\/span><\/strong>1:1 \u03bc\u03b1\u03ba\u03ac\u03c1\u03b9\u03bf\u03c2 \u1f00\u03bd\u03ae\u03c1 \u1f43\u03c2 \u03bf\u1f50\u03ba \u1f10\u03c0\u03bf\u03c1\u03b5\u03cd\u03b8\u03b7 \u1f10\u03bd \u03b2\u03bf\u03c5\u03bb\u1fc7 \u1f00\u03c3\u03b5\u03b2\u1ff6\u03bd \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u1f10\u03bd \u1f41\u03b4\u1ff7 \u1f01\u03bc\u03b1\u03c1\u03c4\u03c9\u03bb\u1ff6\u03bd \u03bf\u1f50\u03ba \u1f14\u03c3\u03c4\u03b7 \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u1f10\u03c0\u1f76 \u03ba\u03b1\u03b8\u03ad\u03b4\u03c1\u03b1\u03bd \u03bb\u03bf\u03b9\u03bc\u1ff6\u03bd \u03bf\u1f50\u03ba \u1f10\u03ba\u03ac\u03b8\u03b9\u03c3\u03b5\u03bd 1:2 \u1f00\u03bb\u03bb’ \u1f22 \u1f10\u03bd \u03c4\u1ff7 \u03bd\u03cc\u03bc\u1ff3 \u03ba\u03c5\u03c1\u03af\u03bf\u03c5 \u03c4\u1f78 \u03b8\u03ad\u03bb\u03b7\u03bc\u03b1 \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u1f10\u03bd \u03c4\u1ff7 \u03bd\u03cc\u03bc\u1ff3 \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u03bc\u03b5\u03bb\u03b5\u03c4\u03ae\u03c3\u03b5\u03b9 \u1f21\u03bc\u03ad\u03c1\u03b1\u03c2 \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u03bd\u03c5\u03ba\u03c4\u03cc\u03c2 1:3 \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u1f14\u03c3\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9 \u1f61\u03c2 \u03c4\u1f78 \u03be\u03cd\u03bb\u03bf\u03bd \u03c4\u1f78 \u03c0\u03b5\u03c6\u03c5\u03c4\u03b5\u03c5\u03bc\u03ad\u03bd\u03bf\u03bd \u03c0\u03b1\u03c1\u1f70 \u03c4\u1f70\u03c2 \u03b4\u03b9\u03b5\u03be\u03cc\u03b4\u03bf\u03c5\u03c2 \u03c4\u1ff6\u03bd \u1f51\u03b4\u03ac\u03c4\u03c9\u03bd \u1f43 \u03c4\u1f78\u03bd \u03ba\u03b1\u03c1\u03c0\u1f78\u03bd \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u03b4\u03ce\u03c3\u03b5\u03b9 \u1f10\u03bd \u03ba\u03b1\u03b9\u03c1\u1ff7 \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u03c4\u1f78 \u03c6\u03cd\u03bb\u03bb\u03bf\u03bd \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u03bf\u1f50\u03ba \u1f00\u03c0\u03bf\u03c1\u03c1\u03c5\u03ae\u03c3\u03b5\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9 \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u03c0\u03ac\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1 \u1f45\u03c3\u03b1 \u1f02\u03bd \u03c0\u03bf\u03b9\u1fc7 \u03ba\u03b1\u03c4\u03b5\u03c5\u03bf\u03b4\u03c9\u03b8\u03ae\u03c3\u03b5\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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\u05d5 \u05d5\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b0\u05d7\u05b7\u05e1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d4\u05d5\u05bc \u05de\u05bc\u05b0\u05e2\u05b7\u05d8 \u05de\u05b5\u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05db\u05b8\u05d1\u05d5\u05b9\u05d3 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b8\u05d3\u05b8\u05e8 \u05ea\u05bc\u05b0\u05e2\u05b7\u05d8\u05bc\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d4\u05d5\u05bc: \u05d6 \u05ea\u05bc\u05b7\u05de\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u05d9\u05dc\u05b5\u05d4\u05d5\u05bc \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05de\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e9\u05b5\u05b9\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b8\u05d3\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05db\u05bc\u05b9\u05dc \u05e9\u05c1\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4 \u05ea\u05b7\u05d7\u05b7\u05ea-\u05e8\u05b7\u05d2\u05b0\u05dc\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5: \u05d7 \u05e6\u05b9\u05e0\u05b6\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d0\u05b2\u05dc\u05b8\u05e4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05db\u05bc\u05bb\u05dc\u05bc\u05b8\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05d2\u05b7\u05dd \u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05d4\u05b2\u05de\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea \u05e9\u05b8\u05b9\u05d3\u05b8\u05d9: \u05d8 \u05e6\u05b4\u05e4\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05de\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd \u05d5\u05bc\u05d3\u05b0\u05d2\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d4\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b8\u05dd \u05e2\u05b9\u05d1\u05b5\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b8\u05e8\u05b0\u05d7\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea \u05d9\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd: \u05d9 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b2\u05d3\u05b9\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05de\u05b8\u05d4-\u05d0\u05b7\u05d3\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05e8 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u05de\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05db\u05b8\u05dc-\u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5: <\/span><\/p>\n

Tehillim \/ Psalms 1
<\/span><\/strong>1:1 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. 1:3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers. 1:4 The wicked are not so, But they are like chaff which the wind drives away. 1:5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 1:6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked will perish.<\/span><\/p>\n

(NASB)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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\u05d3 \u05dc\u05d0 \u05d4\u05d9\u05db\u05e0\u05d0 \u05e8\u05e9\u05d9\u05e2\u05d9 \u05d0\u05d9\u05dc\u05d4\u05d9\u05df \u05db\u05de\u05d5\u05d6\u05d0 \u05db\u05de\u05d5\u05e6\u05d0 \u05d3\u05d9 \u05ea\u05e9\u05e7\u05e4\u05d9\u05e0\u05d9\u05d4 \u05e2\u05dc\u05e2\u05d5\u05dc\u05d0 \u05d6\u05e2\u05e4\u05d0\u05c3 \u05d4 \u05de\u05d8\u05d5\u05dc \u05d4\u05d9\u05db\u05e0\u05d0 \u05db\u05df \u05dc\u05d0 \u05d9\u05d6\u05db\u05d5\u05df \u05d9\u05e7\u05d5\u05de\u05d5\u05df \u05e8\u05e9\u05d9\u05e2\u05d9 \u05d1\u05d9\u05d5\u05de\u05d0 \u05d3\u05d9\u05e0\u05d0 \u05e8\u05d1\u05d0 \u05d5\u05d7\u05d9\u05d9\u05d1\u05d9\u05df \u05d1\u05e1\u05d9\u05e2\u05ea \u05e6\u05d3\u05d9\u05e7\u05d9\u05d0\u05c3 \u05d5 \u05de\u05d8\u05d5\u05dc \u05d3\u05d2\u05dc\u05d9 \u05e7\u05d3\u05dd \u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d4 \u05d0\u05d5\u05e8\u05d7 \u05e6\u05d3\u05d9\u05e7\u05d9\u05d0 \u05d5\u05d0\u05d5\u05e8\u05d7\u05ea\u05d4\u05d5\u05df \u05d3\u05e8\u05e9\u05d9\u05e2\u05d9 \u05ea\u05d4\u05d5\u05d1\u05d3\u05c3<\/span><\/p>\n

Toviyah \/ Psalms Chapter 1
<\/span><\/strong>1:1 Happy the man who has not walked in the council of the wicked, or stood in the paths of sinners, or taken a seat in the band of mockers. 1:2 Instead his pleasure is in the law of the Lord, and in his Torah he meditates day and night. 1:3 And he will be like a living tree planted by streams of water, whose fruit ripens in due course, and its leaves do not fall, and all its branches that grow ripen and flourish. 1:4 Not so the wicked; instead, they are like the chaff that the storm-wind will drive. 1:5 Therefore the wicked will not be acquitted[1] in the great day,[2] nor sinners in the band of the righteous, 1:6 Because the path of the righteous is manifest in the Lord\u2019s presence, but the paths of the wicked will perish. (EMC)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1:4 \u03bf\u1f50\u03c7 \u03bf\u1f55\u03c4\u03c9\u03c2 \u03bf\u1f31 \u1f00\u03c3\u03b5\u03b2\u03b5\u1fd6\u03c2 \u03bf\u1f50\u03c7 \u03bf\u1f55\u03c4\u03c9\u03c2 \u1f00\u03bb\u03bb’ \u1f22 \u1f61\u03c2 \u1f41 \u03c7\u03bd\u03bf\u1fe6\u03c2 \u1f43\u03bd \u1f10\u03ba\u03c1\u03b9\u03c0\u03c4\u03b5\u1fd6 \u1f41 \u1f04\u03bd\u03b5\u03bc\u03bf\u03c2 \u1f00\u03c0\u1f78 \u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u03c3\u03ce\u03c0\u03bf\u03c5 \u03c4\u1fc6\u03c2 \u03b3\u1fc6\u03c2 1:5 \u03b4\u03b9\u1f70 \u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6\u03c4\u03bf \u03bf\u1f50\u03ba \u1f00\u03bd\u03b1\u03c3\u03c4\u03ae\u03c3\u03bf\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9 \u1f00\u03c3\u03b5\u03b2\u03b5\u1fd6\u03c2 \u1f10\u03bd \u03ba\u03c1\u03af\u03c3\u03b5\u03b9 \u03bf\u1f50\u03b4\u1f72 \u1f01\u03bc\u03b1\u03c1\u03c4\u03c9\u03bb\u03bf\u1f76 \u1f10\u03bd \u03b2\u03bf\u03c5\u03bb\u1fc7 \u03b4\u03b9\u03ba\u03b1\u03af\u03c9\u03bd 1:6 \u1f45\u03c4\u03b9 \u03b3\u03b9\u03bd\u03ce\u03c3\u03ba\u03b5\u03b9 \u03ba\u03cd\u03c1\u03b9\u03bf\u03c2 \u1f41\u03b4\u1f78\u03bd \u03b4\u03b9\u03ba\u03b1\u03af\u03c9\u03bd \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u1f41\u03b4\u1f78\u03c2 \u1f00\u03c3\u03b5\u03b2\u1ff6\u03bd \u1f00\u03c0\u03bf\u03bb\u03b5\u1fd6\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9 (LXX)<\/span><\/p>\n

Tehillim \/ Psalms Chapter 1
<\/span><\/strong>1:1 Blessed is the man who has not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and has not stood in the way of sinners, and has not sat in the seat of evil men. 1:2 But his pleasure is in the law of the Lord; and in his law will he meditate day and night. 1:3 And he shall be as a tree planted by the brooks of waters, which shall yield its fruit in its season, and its leaf shall not fall off; and whatsoever he shall do shall be prospered. 1:4 Not so the ungodly; \u2014not so: but rather as the chaff which the wind scatters away from the face of the earth. 1:5 Therefore the ungodly shall not rise in judgment, nor sinners in the counsel of the just. 1:6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous; but the way of the ungodly shall perish. (LXX)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

We begin the study by looking at two translations of the Hebrew text, the Targum Pseudo Jonathan (Aramaic Translation) and the Septuagint (LXX, Greek translation). Reading through these translations on <\/span>Tehillim \/ Psalms 1<\/span> what immediately catches one\u2019s attention is the translation in English that show a contrast between the <\/span>\u201cHappy, good\u201d<\/span> (<\/span>\u05d8\u05d5\u05d1\u05d9\u05d4 \u05d8\u05d5\u05d1\u05d5\u05d4\u05d9<\/span>) man in the Targum Pseudo Jonathan and the <\/span>\u201cblessed\u201d <\/span>(<\/span>\u05d0\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9<\/span>, <\/span>\u03bc\u03b1\u03ba\u03ac\u03c1\u03b9\u03bf\u03c2<\/span>) man in the Septuagint. Looking at the word for blessing, the English language leaves us asking questions about <\/span><\/a>what it means to be blessed, what kind of blessing is this man receiving who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or stand in the path of the sinners, or sits in the seat of the scoffers? Let\u2019s dig a little deeper into the meaning of the word for blessing according to the Hebrew Scriptures.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the Hebrew bible, there are two words that are used to describe <\/span><\/a>blessing, the word <\/span>\u05d1\u05e8\u05d5\u05da<\/span> (<\/span><\/a>Baruch) and <\/span>\u05d0\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9<\/span> (<\/span><\/a>Ashrei). In the <\/span><\/a>Torah, the language of <\/span>\u201cblessing\u201d <\/span>is given by the Hebrew word <\/span>\u05d1\u05e8\u05d5\u05da<\/span> (Baruch) <\/span>\u201cto bless.\u201d<\/span> The word <\/span>\u05d1\u05e8\u05d5\u05da<\/span> (Baruch) is derived from the root word <\/span>\u05d1\u05e8\u05da<\/span> meaning <\/span>\u201cto kneel.\u201d<\/span> The word <\/span>\u05d1\u05e8\u05d5\u05da<\/span> (Baruch) provides us with the Hebraic way of showing to bless someone is to kneel down and serve the one who is being blessed. How appropriately is God\u2019s use of this word to express to us the way in which He would bless all the peoples of this earth in the seed of Abraham by His Son who would come as a prophet, priest, and king in the role of a servant. The servant nature of <\/span>\u05d1\u05e8\u05d5\u05da<\/span> (Baruch) is important to keep in mind while we ask the question what it means to be a blessing and to be blessed by God according to the Torah?<\/span><\/p>\n

What does it mean to be blessed according to the Scriptures in the Hebrew Bible? Studying the Hebrew Scriptures, there are two ways for understanding a blessing, (i) to be a blessing to others and (ii) to receive a blessing from someone and thereby being <\/span>\u201cblessed.\u201d<\/span> In other words, one is either the source of the blessing or the receiver of the blessing. The most common word for blessing is written as <\/span>\u05d1\u05e8\u05d5\u05da<\/span> (Baruch) meaning <\/span>\u201cto bless\u201d <\/span>and this word is used extensively in <\/span><\/a>Parashat Lech Lecha (Bereshit \/ Genesis 12:1-17:27) where the Lord God calls on Abraham to go out from his land from his father\u2019s house, and from his people (12:1, <\/span>\u05d0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b9\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05d0\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05dd \u05dc\u05b6\u05da\u05b0-\u05dc\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05de\u05b5\u05d0\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e6\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05d5\u05bc\u05de\u05b4\u05de\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05dc\u05b7\u05d3\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05d5\u05bc\u05de\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9\u05ea \u05d0\u05b8\u05d1\u05b4\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05d0\u05b6\u05da\u05bc\u05b8:<\/span>) to a land that He will show him. The Lord promises to bless <\/span><\/a>Abraham and make him into a great nation (<\/span>\u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b6\u05e2\u05b6\u05e9\u05b0\u05b9\u05da\u05b8 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d2\u05d5\u05b9\u05d9 \u05d2\u05bc\u05b8\u05d3\u05d5\u05b9\u05dc<\/span>) and those who bless him the Lord will bless, and those who curse him the Lord will curse (<\/span>\u05d5\u05b7\u05d0\u05b2\u05d1\u05b8\u05e8\u05b0\u05db\u05b8\u05d4 \u05de\u05b0\u05d1\u05b8\u05e8\u05b2\u05db\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05d5\u05bc\u05de\u05b0\u05e7\u05b7\u05dc\u05bc\u05b6\u05dc\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05d0\u05b8\u05d0\u05b9\u05e8<\/span>). In the Torah, there are six other places where God reaffirms (confirms) His covenant with Abraham found in <\/span>Bereshit \/ Genesis 15:18-21, 17:1-8, 18:18, 22:18, 26:4, and 28:14.<\/span> Comparing these texts with <\/span>Bereshit \/ Genesis 12:3<\/span> it is interesting to note that there are minor differences in the Hebrew words used to make the covenant blessing of Abraham\u2019s seed, let\u2019s look at these differences.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u05e4\u05e8\u05e9\u05ea \u05dc\u05da \u05dc\u05da \u05e1\u05e4\u05e8 \u05d1\u05e8\u05d0\u05e9\u05d9\u05ea \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d9\u05d1 \u05e4\u05e1\u05d5\u05e7 \u05d2
<\/span><\/strong>\u05d2 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d0\u05b2\u05d1\u05b8\u05e8\u05b0\u05db\u05b8\u05d4 \u05de\u05b0\u05d1\u05b8\u05e8\u05b2\u05db\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05d5\u05bc\u05de\u05b0\u05e7\u05b7\u05dc\u05bc\u05b6\u05dc\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05d0\u05b8\u05d0\u05b9\u05e8 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e0\u05b4\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b0\u05db\u05d5\u05bc \u05d1\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05db\u05bc\u05b9\u05dc \u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b0\u05d7\u05b9\u05ea \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b2\u05d3\u05b8\u05de\u05b8\u05d4:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u05e4\u05e8\u05e9\u05ea \u05d5\u05d9\u05e8\u05d0 \u05e1\u05e4\u05e8 \u05d1\u05e8\u05d0\u05e9\u05d9\u05ea \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d9\u05d7 \u05e4\u05e1\u05d5\u05e7 \u05d9\u05d7
<\/span><\/strong>\u05d9\u05d7 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4\u05b8\u05dd \u05d4\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d9\u05b4\u05d4\u05b0\u05d9\u05b6\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d2\u05d5\u05b9\u05d9 \u05d2\u05bc\u05b8\u05d3\u05d5\u05b9\u05dc \u05d5\u05b0\u05e2\u05b8\u05e6\u05d5\u05bc\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05e0\u05b4\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b0\u05db\u05d5\u05bc-\u05d1\u05d5\u05b9 \u05db\u05bc\u05b9\u05dc \u05d2\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05d9\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u05e4\u05e8\u05e9\u05ea \u05d5\u05d9\u05e8\u05d0 \u05e1\u05e4\u05e8 \u05d1\u05e8\u05d0\u05e9\u05d9\u05ea \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05db\u05d1 \u05e4\u05e1\u05d5\u05e7 \u05d9\u05d7
<\/span><\/strong>\u05d9\u05d7 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05ea\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05e8\u05b2\u05db\u05d5\u05bc \u05d1\u05b0\u05d6\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e2\u05b2\u05da\u05b8 \u05db\u05bc\u05b9\u05dc \u05d2\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05d9\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5 \u05e2\u05b5\u05e7\u05b6\u05d1 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05de\u05b7\u05e2\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b8 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e7\u05b9\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u05e4\u05e8\u05e9\u05ea \u05ea\u05d5\u05dc\u05d3\u05ea \u05e1\u05e4\u05e8 \u05d1\u05e8\u05d0\u05e9\u05d9\u05ea \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05db\u05d5 \u05e4\u05e1\u05d5\u05e7 \u05d3
<\/span><\/strong>\u05d3 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9\u05ea\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d6\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e2\u05b2\u05da\u05b8 \u05db\u05bc\u05b0\u05db\u05d5\u05b9\u05db\u05b0\u05d1\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05b8\u05de\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05e0\u05b8\u05ea\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d6\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e2\u05b2\u05da\u05b8 \u05d0\u05b5\u05ea \u05db\u05bc\u05b8\u05dc-\u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b2\u05e8\u05b8\u05e6\u05b9\u05ea \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05ea\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05e8\u05b2\u05db\u05d5\u05bc \u05d1\u05b0\u05d6\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e2\u05b2\u05da\u05b8 \u05db\u05bc\u05b9\u05dc \u05d2\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05d9\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u05e4\u05e8\u05e9\u05ea \u05d5\u05d9\u05e6\u05d0 \u05e1\u05e4\u05e8 \u05d1\u05e8\u05d0\u05e9\u05d9\u05ea \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05db\u05d7 \u05e4\u05e1\u05d5\u05e7 \u05d9\u05d3
<\/span><\/strong>\u05d9\u05d3 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b8\u05d9\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d6\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e2\u05b2\u05da\u05b8 \u05db\u05bc\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e4\u05b7\u05e8 \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5 \u05d5\u05bc\u05e4\u05b8\u05e8\u05b7\u05e6\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b8 \u05d9\u05b8\u05de\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b8\u05e7\u05b5\u05d3\u05b0\u05de\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e6\u05b8\u05e4\u05b9\u05e0\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b8\u05e0\u05b6\u05d2\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e0\u05b4\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b0\u05db\u05d5\u05bc \u05d1\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05db\u05bc\u05b8\u05dc-\u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b0\u05d7\u05b9\u05ea \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b2\u05d3\u05b8\u05de\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05d6\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e2\u05b6\u05da\u05b8:<\/span><\/p>\n

In <\/span>Bereshit \/ Genesis 12:3<\/span> it states that <\/span>\u201cin you all the families (<\/span>\u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b0\u05d7\u05b9\u05ea<\/span>) of the earth shall be blessed,\u201d <\/span>whereas in <\/span>Bereshit \/ Genesis 18:18<\/span> it says <\/span>\u201cand in him all the nations of the earth will be blessed.\u201d<\/span> (<\/span>\u05d5\u05b0\u05e0\u05b4\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b0\u05db\u05d5\u05bc-\u05d1\u05d5\u05b9 \u05db\u05bc\u05b9\u05dc \u05d2\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05d9\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5<\/span>) The <\/span><\/a>Targum Onkelos says <\/span>\u201call the peoples of the earth will be blessed\u201d <\/span>(<\/span>\u05d5\u05b0\u05d9\u05b4\u05ea\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05e8\u05b0\u05db\u05d5\u05bc\u05df \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d3\u05b4\u05d9\u05dc\u05b5\u05d9\u05d4\u05bc \u05db\u05bc\u05b9\u05dc \u05e2\u05b7\u05de\u05b0\u05de\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e2\u05b8\u05d0<\/span>). <\/span> Bereshit \/ Genesis 22:18<\/span> says <\/span>\u201cand in your descendants (<\/span>\u05d5\u05b0\u05e2\u05b8\u05e6\u05d5\u05bc\u05dd<\/span>) all the nations of the earth will be blessed.\u201d<\/span> Bereshit 26:4<\/span> states <\/span>\u201cby your seed\u201d<\/span> (<\/span>\u05d1\u05b0\u05d6\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e2\u05b2\u05da\u05b8<\/span>) all the nations of the earth shall be blessed and <\/span>Bereshit \/ Genesis 28:14 <\/span>states that <\/span>\u201cin you (<\/span>\u05d1\u05b0\u05da\u05b8<\/span>) shall all the families (<\/span>\u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b0\u05d7\u05b9\u05ea<\/span>) of the earth be blessed, even in your seed (<\/span>\u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05d6\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e2\u05b6\u05da\u05b8<\/span>).\u201d<\/span> What is the significance of the change in wording from <\/span>\u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b0\u05d7\u05b9\u05ea<\/span> (families), to <\/span>\u05d2\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05d9\u05b5\u05d9<\/span> (nations) in Hebrew, and <\/span>\u05e2\u05b7\u05de\u05b0\u05de\u05b5\u05d9<\/span> (people) in Aramaic? The covenantal promise to Abraham and the reaffirmation of the covenant reveals to us conclusively that all of the people of the earth, all the nations, all families, whether Jewish or non-Jewish are included in this promise that God is going to bless the peoples of this earth in and through Abraham and his seed. Examining these verses in <\/span>Bereshit \/ Genesis 15:17-18, 18:18, 22:18, and 28:14<\/span> more closely, it is interesting that the Hebrew verb patterns found within these covenant blessings reveal to us how God is going to bless all the nations of the earth. Looking at the word for blessing (<\/span>\u05d1\u05e8\u05da<\/span>) it is interesting to observe that we find the word <\/span>\u05d1\u05e8\u05da<\/span> alternating between the Niphal (<\/span>\u05e0\u05e4\u05e2\u05dc<\/span>) and the Hiphil (<\/span>\u05d4\u05e4\u05e2\u05d9\u05dc<\/span>) verb patterns. The <\/span><\/a>Niphal verb is a simple passive or reflexive verbal stem used to express simple action with either a passive or reflexive voice. In other words, whatever a verb means in the Qal stem, it becomes passive or reflexive in the Niphal stem. The <\/span><\/a>Hiphil stem is causative\/active voice used to express causative action in an active voice. For example, <\/span>\u05de\u05dc\u05da<\/span> means <\/span>\u201che was a king\u201d<\/span> or <\/span>\u201che reigned\u201d <\/span>in the Qal stem whereas the Hiphil form is written <\/span>\u05d4\u05de\u05dc\u05d9\u05da<\/span> and means <\/span>\u201che caused to reign\u201d<\/span> or <\/span>\u201che made someone king.\u201d <\/span>In the Hebrew text we find that blessing (<\/span>\u05d1\u05e8\u05da<\/span>) is written in the Niphil stem in <\/span>Bereshit \/ Genesis 12:3<\/span> \u05d5\u05b0\u05e0\u05b4\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b0\u05db\u05d5\u05bc<\/span> and <\/span>Bereshit \/ Genesis 18:18<\/span> \u05d5\u05b0\u05e0\u05b4\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b0\u05db\u05d5\u05bc<\/span> and changes to the Hiphil stem in <\/span>Bereshit \/ Genesis 22:18<\/span> \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05ea\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05e8\u05b2\u05db\u05d5\u05bc<\/span> and <\/span>Bereshit \/ Genesis 26:<\/span>4 <\/span>\u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05ea\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05e8\u05b2\u05db\u05d5\u05bc<\/span> and switches back to the Niphal stem in <\/span>Bereshit \/ Genesis 28:14<\/span> \u05d5\u05b0\u05e0\u05b4\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b0\u05db\u05d5\u05bc<\/span>. In these verses, the JPS translations takes the Niphal to conform to the Hiphil while the KJV and NASB make the Hiphil conform to the Niphal and translate all the five passages as passive. The NIV takes the Niphal to be passive and the Hiphil to be reflexive translating the phrase as passive 3 times and reflexive 2 times. The Targum Onkelos takes the Niphal in <\/span>Bereshit \/ Genesis 12:3<\/span> as passive as does the LXX, Latin Vulgate, and Samaritan Pentateuch. The importance on understanding these differences in the verbal forms is related to interpretation of these scriptures in light of the kind of blessing God is going to give unto the nations. Studying the different verbal forms of <\/span>\u05d1\u05e8\u05da<\/span> (blessings) in these verses, we find a greater number of Niphal occurrences (three) than the Hiphil (two) indicating that <\/span><\/a>God will bless the nations (Niphal) or cause the nations to be blessed (Hiphil) in this seed of Abraham. So these verses of the covenantal blessing are to be interpreted as the nations of the earth will \u201cbe blessed\u201d and not to mean that the nations would \u201cbless themselves\u201d or \u201cevoke a blessing in Abraham\u2019s name.\u201d The understanding these passages are dependent upon is the nature of the covenant and that God is making His covenant with Abraham and his children. In the seed of Abraham the Lord would bring His <\/span><\/a>Messiah and in His Messiah God would cause all the nations of the earth to be blessed. These verses indicate that it is through this seed of Abraham that the blessing will pass to all the nations of the earth. It is in the way of servant blessing the Lord God will <\/span>\u05d1\u05e8\u05d5\u05da<\/span> (baruch) <\/span>\u201cbless\u201d<\/span> all the nations by giving His son the Messiah. The meaning of blessing in the word <\/span>\u05d1\u05e8\u05d5\u05da<\/span> (baruch) <\/span>\u201cto bless\u201d<\/span> is that of love and that of a servant heart. Therefore, when we are being a blessing to the Lord we serve Him with all of our heart, mind, and soul (<\/span>Devarim \/ Deuteronomy 6:4-12<\/span>). It is interesting however, that this is not the type of blessing that Yeshua was referring to in <\/span>Matthew 5:1-12<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Scripture verses we are looking at this week say <\/span>\u05d0\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9-\u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b4\u05d9\u05e9\u05c1 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d4\u05b8\u05dc\u05b7\u05da\u05b0 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e6\u05b7\u05ea \u05e8\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05e2\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd<\/span> \u201cHow blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked\u201d in <\/span>Tehillim \/ Psalms 1:1<\/span> utilizes the Hebrew word <\/span>\u05d0\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9<\/span>. The word <\/span>\u05d0\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9<\/span> is derived from the root word <\/span>\u05d0\u05e9\u05e8<\/span> meaning \u201chappy one\u201d according to the BDB lexicon. Performing a word search on the word <\/span>\u05d0\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9<\/span> this word occurs 40 times in the Tanach, 2 times in 1 Kings, 2 times in Isaiah, 28 times in Psalms, 4 times in Proverbs, 2 times in Job, once in Daniel, and once in 2 Chronicles. It is interesting to note that the word <\/span>\u05d0\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9<\/span> is not used in the text of the Torah and is never used of God. The use of this word (<\/span>\u05d0\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9<\/span>), according to the Scriptures, appears to be related to the goodness of God as a result of how one lives. For example, living for the Lord and not in the counsel of the wicked or in the path of sinners, or in the seat of scoffers such a man is blessed by not doing these things. The Aramaic translation (<\/span><\/a>Targum Pseudo Jonathan) says <\/span>\u05d8\u05d5\u05d1\u05d9\u05d4 \u05d8\u05d5\u05d1\u05d5\u05d4\u05d9 \u05d3\u05d2\u05d1\u05e8<\/span> \u201cgood is the man,\u201d<\/span> it is interesting that the word <\/span>\u05d8\u05d5\u05d1<\/span> is used for translation meaning <\/span>\u201cgood,\u201d <\/span>hence the English translation <\/span>\u201cgood is the man.\u201d<\/span> Also note that this word is repeated for emphasis and the second word is written in the plural construct form to indicate that this man is good in the sense of calling someone blessed, that goodness has been given to him. Sokoloff\u2019s dictionary of <\/span><\/a>Jewish Palestinian Aramaic states that the word <\/span>\u05d8\u05d5\u05d1<\/span> is a reference to the <\/span>\u201cbest thing, goodness,\u201d \u201cthe choice product\u201d<\/span> (<\/span>Devarim \/ Deuteronomy 6:11<\/span>), it is also used as a reference to<\/span> \u201cseparation of the choice part from it\u201d<\/span> referring to the best parts of the Korban (sacrifice) that was given to God upon the altar (<\/span>Bamidbar \/ Numbers 18:30, Vayikra \/ Leviticus 2:2, 16, 6:8<\/span>), the <\/span>\u201cbest dew and rain\u201d<\/span> (<\/span>Bereshit \/ Genesis 49:25<\/span>), <\/span>\u201cthe best wheat and wine\u201d<\/span> (<\/span>Bamidbar \/ Numbers 18:12, Devarim \/ Deuteronomy 6:11, 32:14, 33:13<\/span>), and <\/span>\u201cthe best produce of the land\u201d<\/span> (<\/span>Bereshit \/ Genesis 27:28, 43:11, 45:18<\/span>). The blessing of goodness as it is used according to the Aramaic Scriptures, such a man who has the goodness of God is happy. For example, <\/span>\u201cHappy am I for my portion in this world, happy is the villager whose king is his wedding attendant, happy is he wou has gold in his house or in his caravan\u201d<\/span> (<\/span>Bavli Yoma 41d<\/span>). The Greek translation of the Septuagint (LXX) uses the word \u03bc\u03b1\u03ba\u03ac\u03c1\u03b9\u03bf\u03c2 meaning <\/span>\u201cblessed, happy\u201d<\/span> is in agreement with the Aramaic translation of the Hebrew text.<\/span><\/p>\n

Studying the blessedness of the man (<\/span>\u05d0\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9-\u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b4\u05d9\u05e9\u05c1<\/span>) that walks in righteousness from Tehillim \/ Psalms 1, it is interesting that Yeshua\u2019s words in <\/span>Matthew 5:1-12<\/span>, while teaching on the mount of olives, Yeshua used the same word <\/span>\u05d0\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9<\/span> meaning <\/span>\u201chappy one\u201d<\/span> while referring to those who are poor in spirit, who mourn, who hunger and thirst for righteousness, who are merciful and pure in heart, who are peacemakers, and who are persecuted for his sake. What is this blessedness (<\/span>\u05d0\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9<\/span>) that Yeshua is referring to was he thinking on Tehillim \/ Psalms 1? Below is a summary of the Sermon on the Mount from <\/span>Matthew 5:1-12<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Summary of Matthew 5<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. The blessedness \/ Goodness (Beatitudes, <\/span>Matthew 5:1-11<\/span>)<\/span>\n

    a. <\/span>3<\/span>\u039c\u03b1\u03ba\u1f71\u03c1\u03b9\u03bf\u03b9<\/span> \u03bf\u1f31 \u03c0\u03c4\u03c9\u03c7\u03bf\u1f76 \u03c4\u1ff7 \u03c0\u03bd\u03b5\u1f7b\u03bc\u03b1\u03c4\u03b9, \u1f45\u03c4\u03b9 \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u1ff6\u03bd \u1f10\u03c3\u03c4\u03b9\u03bd \u1f21 \u03b2\u03b1\u03c3\u03b9\u03bb\u03b5\u1f77\u03b1 \u03c4\u1ff6\u03bd \u03bf\u1f50\u03c1\u03b1\u03bd\u1ff6\u03bd. <\/span>5:3 \u2018Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (NASB)<\/span><\/p>\n

    \u05d2 <\/span>\u05d0\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9<\/span> \u05e2\u05b2\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d4\u05b8\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc\u05d7\u05b7 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05dc\u05b8\u05d4\u05b6\u05dd \u05de\u05b7\u05dc\u05b0\u05db\u05d5\u05bc\u05ea \u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05de\u05b8\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd\u05c3<\/span><\/p>\n

    b. <\/span>4<\/span>\u03bc\u03b1\u03ba\u1f71\u03c1\u03b9\u03bf\u03b9<\/span> \u03bf\u1f31 \u03c0\u03b5\u03bd\u03b8\u03bf\u1fe6\u03bd\u03c4\u03b5\u03c2, \u1f45\u03c4\u03b9 \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u03bf\u1f76 \u03c0\u03b1\u03c1\u03b1\u03ba\u03bb\u03b7\u03b8\u1f75\u03c3\u03bf\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9. <\/span>5:4 \u2018Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. (NASB)<\/span><\/p>\n

    \u05d3 <\/span>\u05d0\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9<\/span> \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b2\u05d1\u05b5\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05be\u05d4\u05b5\u05dd \u05d9\u05b0\u05e0\u05bb\u05d7\u05b8\u05de\u05d5\u05bc\u05c3<\/span><\/p>\n

    c. <\/span>5<\/span>\u03bc\u03b1\u03ba\u1f71\u03c1\u03b9\u03bf\u03b9<\/span> \u03bf\u1f31 \u03c0\u03c1\u03b1\u03b5\u1fd6\u03c2, \u1f45\u03c4\u03b9 \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u03bf\u1f76 \u03ba\u03bb\u03b7\u03c1\u03bf\u03bd\u03bf\u03bc\u1f75\u03c3\u03bf\u03c5\u03c3\u03b9\u03bd \u03c4\u1f74\u03bd \u03b3\u1fc6\u03bd. <\/span>5:5 \u2018Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. (NASB)<\/span><\/p>\n

    \u05d4 <\/span>\u05d0\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9<\/span> \u05d4\u05b8\u05e2\u05b2\u05e0\u05b8\u05d5\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05be\u05d4\u05b5\u05de\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d9\u05b4\u05d9\u05e8\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05d5\u05bc \u05d0\u05b8\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5\u05c3<\/span><\/p>\n

    d. <\/span>6<\/span>\u03bc\u03b1\u03ba\u1f71\u03c1\u03b9\u03bf\u03b9<\/span> \u03bf\u1f31 \u03c0\u03b5\u03b9\u03bd\u1ff6\u03bd\u03c4\u03b5\u03c2 \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u03b4\u03b9\u03c8\u1ff6\u03bd\u03c4\u03b5\u03c2 \u03c4\u1f74\u03bd \u03b4\u03b9\u03ba\u03b1\u03b9\u03bf\u03c3\u1f7b\u03bd\u03b7\u03bd, \u1f45\u03c4\u03b9 \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u03bf\u1f76 \u03c7\u03bf\u03c1\u03c4\u03b1\u03c3\u03b8\u1f75\u03c3\u03bf\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9. <\/span>5:6 \u2018Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. (NASB)<\/span><\/p>\n

    \u05d5 <\/span>\u05d0\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9<\/span> \u05d4\u05b8\u05e8\u05b0\u05e2\u05b5\u05d1\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b7\u05e6\u05bc\u05b0\u05de\u05b5\u05d0\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05dc\u05b7\u05e6\u05bc\u05b0\u05d3\u05b8\u05e7\u05b8\u05d4 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05be\u05d4\u05b5\u05dd \u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05c2\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05e2\u05d5\u05bc\u05c3<\/span><\/p>\n

    e. <\/span>7<\/span>\u03bc\u03b1\u03ba\u1f71\u03c1\u03b9\u03bf\u03b9<\/span> \u03bf\u1f31 \u1f10\u03bb\u03b5\u1f75\u03bc\u03bf\u03bd\u03b5\u03c2, \u1f45\u03c4\u03b9 \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u03bf\u1f76 \u1f10\u03bb\u03b5\u03b7\u03b8\u1f75\u03c3\u03bf\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9. <\/span> 5:7 \u2018Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. (NASB)<\/span><\/p>\n

    \u05d6 <\/span>\u05d0\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9<\/span> \u05d4\u05b8\u05e8\u05b7\u05d7\u05b2\u05de\u05b8\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05be\u05d4\u05b5\u05dd \u05d9\u05b0\u05e8\u05bb\u05d7\u05b8\u05de\u05d5\u05bc\u05c3<\/span><\/p>\n

    f. <\/span>8<\/span>\u03bc\u03b1\u03ba\u1f71\u03c1\u03b9\u03bf\u03b9<\/span> \u03bf\u1f31 \u03ba\u03b1\u03b8\u03b1\u03c1\u03bf\u1f76 \u03c4\u1fc7 \u03ba\u03b1\u03c1\u03b4\u1f77\u1fb3, \u1f45\u03c4\u03b9 \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u03bf\u1f76 \u03c4\u1f78\u03bd \u03b8\u03b5\u1f78\u03bd \u1f44\u03c8\u03bf\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9. <\/span>5:8 \u2018Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. (NASB)<\/span><\/p>\n

    \u05d7 <\/span>\u05d0\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9<\/span> \u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9 \u05dc\u05b5\u05d1\u05b8\u05d1 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05be\u05d4\u05b5\u05dd \u05d9\u05b6\u05d7\u05b1\u05d6\u05d5\u05bc \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea\u05be\u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05c2\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd\u05c3<\/span><\/p>\n

    g. <\/span>9<\/span>\u03bc\u03b1\u03ba\u1f71\u03c1\u03b9\u03bf\u03b9<\/span> \u03bf\u1f31 \u03b5\u1f30\u03c1\u03b7\u03bd\u03bf\u03c0\u03bf\u03b9\u03bf\u1f77, \u1f45\u03c4\u03b9 \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u03bf\u1f76 \u03c5\u1f31\u03bf\u1f76 \u03b8\u03b5\u03bf\u1fe6 \u03ba\u03bb\u03b7\u03b8\u1f75\u03c3\u03bf\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9. <\/span>5:9 \u2018Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. (NASB)<\/span><\/p>\n

    \u05d8 <\/span>\u05d0\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9<\/span> \u05e8\u05c2\u05d3\u05b0\u05e4\u05b5\u05d9 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05dc\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05be\u05d1\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05c2\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d9\u05b4\u05e7\u05bc\u05b8\u05e8\u05b5\u05d0 \u05dc\u05b8\u05d4\u05b6\u05dd\u05c3<\/span><\/p>\n

    h. <\/span>10<\/span>\u03bc\u03b1\u03ba\u1f71\u03c1\u03b9\u03bf\u03b9<\/span> \u03bf\u1f31 \u03b4\u03b5\u03b4\u03b9\u03c9\u03b3\u03bc\u1f73\u03bd\u03bf\u03b9 \u1f15\u03bd\u03b5\u03ba\u03b5\u03bd \u03b4\u03b9\u03ba\u03b1\u03b9\u03bf\u03c3\u1f7b\u03bd\u03b7\u03c2, \u1f45\u03c4\u03b9 \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u1ff6\u03bd \u1f10\u03c3\u03c4\u03b9\u03bd \u1f21 \u03b2\u03b1\u03c3\u03b9\u03bb\u03b5\u1f77\u03b1 \u03c4\u1ff6\u03bd \u03bf\u1f50\u03c1\u03b1\u03bd\u1ff6\u03bd. <\/span>5:10 \u2018Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (NASB)<\/span><\/p>\n

    \u05d9 <\/span>\u05d0\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9<\/span> \u05d4\u05b7\u05e0\u05bc\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05d3\u05bc\u05b8\u05e4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d1\u05bc\u05b4\u05d2\u05b0\u05dc\u05b7\u05dc \u05d4\u05b7\u05e6\u05bc\u05b0\u05d3\u05b8\u05e7\u05b8\u05d4 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05dc\u05b8\u05d4\u05b6\u05dd \u05de\u05b7\u05dc\u05b0\u05db\u05d5\u05bc\u05ea \u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05de\u05b8\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd\u05c3<\/span><\/p>\n

    i. <\/span>11<\/span>\u03bc\u03b1\u03ba\u1f71\u03c1\u03b9\u03bf\u1f77<\/span> \u1f10\u03c3\u03c4\u03b5 \u1f45\u03c4\u03b1\u03bd \u1f40\u03bd\u03b5\u03b9\u03b4\u1f77\u03c3\u03c9\u03c3\u03b9\u03bd \u1f51\u03bc\u1fb6\u03c2 \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u03b4\u03b9\u1f7d\u03be\u03c9\u03c3\u03b9\u03bd \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u03b5\u1f34\u03c0\u03c9\u03c3\u03b9\u03bd \u03c0\u1fb6\u03bd \u03c0\u03bf\u03bd\u03b7\u03c1\u1f78\u03bd \u03ba\u03b1\u03b8\u2019 \u1f51\u03bc\u1ff6\u03bd [\u03c8\u03b5\u03c5\u03b4\u1f79\u03bc\u03b5\u03bd\u03bf\u03b9] \u1f15\u03bd\u03b5\u03ba\u03b5\u03bd \u1f10\u03bc\u03bf\u1fe6: <\/span>5:11 \u2018Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. (NASB)<\/span><\/p>\n

    \u05d9\u05d0 <\/span>\u05d0\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9\u05db\u05b6\u05dd<\/span> \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05be\u05d9\u05b0\u05d7\u05b8\u05e8\u05b2\u05e4\u05d5\u05bc \u05d5\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d3\u05b0\u05e4\u05d5\u05bc \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea\u05b0\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05d3\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc \u05e2\u05b2\u05dc\u05b5\u05d9\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e7\u05b6\u05e8 \u05db\u05bc\u05b8\u05dc\u05be\u05e8\u05b8\u05e2 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05d1\u05d5\u05bc\u05e8\u05b4\u05d9\u05c3<\/span><\/p>\n

    This section of Scripture from <\/span>Matthew 5:1-12<\/span> become known as the \u201c<\/span><\/a>beatitudes\u201d (blessing, bliss, absolute happiness) as a result of the repeated use of the word <\/span>\u201cblessed\u201d<\/span> (\u03bc\u03b1\u03ba\u1f71\u03c1\u03b9\u03bf\u1f77, makarios), which reflects the Hebrew word <\/span>\u05d0\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9<\/span> (ashrei). This way of speaking is found throughout <\/span>Tehillim \/ Psalms<\/span> and <\/span>Mishley \/ Proverbs <\/span>(see <\/span>Tehillim \/ Psalms 1:1, 2:12, 32:1-2, 33:12, 34:8, 40:4, 41:1, 65:4, 84:4-5, 12, 89:15, 94:12, 106:3, 112:1, 119:1-2, 127:5, 128:1, 137:8-9, 144:15, 146:5, Mishley \/ Proverbs 3:13, 8:34, and 28:14<\/span>). Studying <\/span>Matthew 1-4<\/span> we learn that Matthew has laid out his Gospel beginning with the genealogy of Yeshua and then followed by the testimony given by John the baptizer where john says that Yeshua is the one who comes that was spoken of by Moshe, the promised Messiah who would <\/span>\u201cbaptize with the Holy Spirit and fire.\u201d<\/span> Yeshua is presented in Matthew\u2019s Gospel in chapter 1-4 as the Son of God and as the One in whom the Father is pleased. Following having informed the reader about who Yeshua is, Matthew then writes the sermon on the mount. It is only after we are aware of who Yeshua is that we are able to listen to and hear his words as he spoke to the people while sitting on the mount. Note that the frequency of the word <\/span>\u05d0\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9<\/span> (ashrei) used in the Scriptures is very high in <\/span>Tehillim \/ Psalms<\/span> and Mishley \/ Proverbs. The Psalms and Proverbs contain many life application Scriptures. This blessedness that Yeshua is speaking of, it is related to life application?<\/span><\/p>\n

    If we consider that Yeshua is thinking on the Psalms, these nine sayings Yeshua gives (beatitudes) might be laid out in a <\/span><\/a>chiastic structure similar to the way many of the Psalms are laid out. If Yeshua was laying out these sayings in a chiastic arrangement then the major emphasis is placed upon <\/span>\u201cshowing mercy,\u201d<\/span> at the center of the structure with the beatitudes having these categories:<\/span><\/p>\n

    Categories<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  2. The poor in spirit = those persecuted as disciples of Yeshua<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Those who mourn = persecuted for righteousness<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Those who are gentle = peacemakers<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness = pure in heart<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The Chiastic Structure of the Beatitudes<\/span><\/p>\n

    Those poor in spirit –> kingdom of heaven<\/span><\/p>\n

    Those who mourn –> Comforted<\/span><\/p>\n

    Those who are gentle –> inherit the earth<\/span><\/p>\n

    Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness –> shown mercy<\/span><\/p>\n

    Those who show mercy –> shown mercy<\/span><\/p>\n

    Those who pure in heart –> see God<\/span><\/p>\n

    Those who are peacemakers –> called sons of God<\/span><\/p>\n

    Those persecuted for the sake of righteousness –> kingdom of heaven<\/span><\/p>\n

    Those persecuted as disciples of Yeshua –> great reward in heaven<\/span><\/p>\n

    Look at the Greek text of the Gospel of Matthew, the use of the word \u03bc\u03b1\u03ba\u1f71\u03c1\u03b9\u03bf\u1f77 makarios <\/span>\u201cblessed\u201d<\/span> draws our attention since this is the same word that is used in the LXX from <\/span>Tehillim \/ Psalms 1<\/span>. As mentioned earlier there are two words that are used throughout the Tanach for blessing <\/span>\u05d1\u05e8\u05d5\u05da<\/span> (baruch) and <\/span>\u05d0\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9<\/span> (ashrei). Searching through the <\/span><\/a>Tanach, wherever <\/span>\u05d0\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9<\/span> (ashrei) is written it is always translated in the Greek as \u039c\u03b1\u03ba\u1f71\u03c1\u03b9\u03bf\u03b9<\/span> (makarios). On the other hand, <\/span>\u05d1\u05e8\u05d5\u05da<\/span> (baruch) is translated with the Greek words \u03b5\u03c5\u03bb\u03bf\u03b3\u03ce, \u03b5\u03c5\u03b3\u03bd\u03c9\u03bc\u03bf\u03bd\u03ce, \u03bb\u03b1\u03c4\u03c1\u03b5\u03cd\u03c9 (eulogeo). By the use of the word \u03bc\u03b1\u03ba\u1f71\u03c1\u03b9\u03bf\u03b9 by Matthew indicates that Yeshua was referring to <\/span>\u05d0\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9<\/span> \u201cblessed\u201d and not <\/span>\u05d1\u05e8\u05d5\u05da<\/span> \u201cto be blessed.\u201d Mentioned earlier, the word <\/span>\u05d0\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9<\/span> (ashrei) is never used of God and is always used of the blessing that comes upon a person who lives righteously. Therefore, the major component of this <\/span>\u201cblessing\u201d <\/span>that is found in our text is that it encompasses the divine action toward one who obeyed God and acted in accordance with His prescribed commandments. <\/span><\/p>\n

    The majority of the English translations of the bible translate this as <\/span>\u201cblessed,\u201d<\/span> however some translate as <\/span>\u201chappy<\/span>\u201d such as Young\u2019s literal translation. In addition to this, the Aramaic translation uses the word <\/span>\u05d8\u05d5\u05d1\u05d9\u05d4<\/span> \u201chappy\u201d or \u201cgood\u201d <\/span>and studying the various uses of this word in the Targum Onkelos and Pseudo Jonathan, we find that the word <\/span>\u05d8\u05d5\u05d1\u05d9\u05d4<\/span> \u201chappiness\u201d<\/span> of the man is much more than simply being happy, the Beatitudes themselves show that one may be \u201cblessed\u201d even in the state of mourning. Therefore, this <\/span>\u201cblessing\u201d<\/span> encompasses the idea of a heart and conscience at peace before the Lord God Almighty. It captures the sense that one exists under the protection of God regardless of our circumstances.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Looking at the chiastic structure, the poor in spirit may be related to those who are persecuted as disciples of Yeshua, their reward is great in heaven and their names are written in heaven. Those who have complete reliance upon God will obtain the <\/span><\/a>kingdom of heaven. Those who are poor in spirit realize that they do not achieve entrance into heaven by their own strength or by material wealth and not even because of their lack of wealth. The Lord who reigns in their hearts will give them peace and right standing before God and await a future expectation of the Messiah upon the clouds. Here Yeshua is teaching us about our absolute reliance upon the Lord God Almighty for entrance into His kingdom, happy and blessed are those who completely place their trust in the Lord. Yeshua is telling us that the kingdom of heaven is a gift from God to those who admit their own spiritual poverty and believe upon Yeshua for their salvation.<\/span><\/p>\n

    The next indentation in the chiastic structure is those who mourn. Based upon the layout of the structure, those who mourn do so because they are persecuted for righteousness sake. Now mourning as a result of persecution draws a parallel with <\/span>Isaiah 61:1-3<\/span> where comforting is found for those who mourn. In <\/span>Isaiah 61,<\/span> Israel is being oppressed by her enemies and the same is true for us who believe in Yeshua the Messiah and walk in the righteousness of our Lord and Savior. We will be persecuted even unto death. What Yeshua is trying to say is not an exhortation to mourn in order to be blessed. The mourning comes as a result of evil people persecuting God\u2019s people for living in righteousness and holiness. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/colgroup>\n\n\n
    \n

    \u05e1\u05e4\u05e8 \u05d9\u05e9\u05e2\u05d9\u05d4 \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05e1\u05d0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    \u05d0 \u05e8\u05d5\u05bc\u05d7\u05b7 \u05d0\u05b2\u05d3\u05b9\u05e0\u05b8\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b6\u05d5\u05b9\u05b4\u05d4 \u05e2\u05b8\u05dc\u05b8\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b7\u05e2\u05b7\u05df \u05de\u05b8\u05e9\u05c1\u05b7\u05d7 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b9\u05ea\u05b4\u05d9 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d1\u05b7\u05e9\u05bc\u05c2\u05b5\u05e8 \u05e2\u05b2\u05e0\u05b8\u05d5\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05dc\u05b8\u05d7\u05b7\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9 \u05dc\u05b7\u05d7\u05b2\u05d1\u05b9\u05e9\u05c1 \u05dc\u05b0\u05e0\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9-\u05dc\u05b5\u05d1 \u05dc\u05b4\u05e7\u05b0\u05e8\u05b9\u05d0 \u05dc\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05d1\u05d5\u05bc\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd \u05d3\u05bc\u05b0\u05e8\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8 \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b7\u05d0\u05b2\u05e1\u05d5\u05bc\u05e8\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05e4\u05bc\u05b0\u05e7\u05b7\u05d7-\u05e7\u05d5\u05b9\u05d7\u05b7: \u05d1 \u05dc\u05b4\u05e7\u05b0\u05e8\u05b9\u05d0 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e0\u05b7\u05ea-\u05e8\u05b8\u05e6\u05d5\u05b9\u05df \u05dc\u05b7\u05d9\u05d4\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d9\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05e0\u05b8\u05e7\u05b8\u05dd \u05dc\u05b5\u05d0\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b5\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05dc\u05b0\u05e0\u05b7\u05d7\u05b5\u05dd \u05db\u05bc\u05b8\u05dc-\u05d0\u05b2\u05d1\u05b5\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd: \u05d2 \u05dc\u05b8\u05e9\u05b9\u05d5\u05bc\u05dd | \u05dc\u05b7\u05d0\u05b2\u05d1\u05b5\u05dc\u05b5\u05d9 \u05e6\u05b4\u05d9\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05df \u05dc\u05b8\u05ea\u05b5\u05ea \u05dc\u05b8\u05d4\u05b6\u05dd \u05e4\u05bc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b5\u05e8 \u05ea\u05bc\u05b7\u05d7\u05b7\u05ea \u05d0\u05b5\u05e4\u05b6\u05e8 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05de\u05b6\u05df \u05e9\u05b8\u05b9\u05e9\u05b9\u05d5\u05b9\u05df \u05ea\u05bc\u05b7\u05d7\u05b7\u05ea \u05d0\u05b5\u05d1\u05b6\u05dc \u05de\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05d8\u05b5\u05d4 \u05ea\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05dc\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4 \u05ea\u05bc\u05b7\u05d7\u05b7\u05ea \u05e8\u05d5\u05bc\u05d7\u05b7 \u05db\u05bc\u05b5\u05d4\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e7\u05b9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0 \u05dc\u05b8\u05d4\u05b6\u05dd \u05d0\u05b5\u05d9\u05dc\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d4\u05b7\u05e6\u05bc\u05b6\u05d3\u05b6\u05e7 \u05de\u05b7\u05d8\u05bc\u05b7\u05e2 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05ea\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05e8:<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    Isaiah 61<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    61:1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the Lord has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners; 61:2 To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, 61:3 To grant those who mourn in Zion, Giving them a garland instead of ashes, The oil of gladness instead of mourning, The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. (NASB)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    The blessing will ultimately come when the Lord will validate the way of walking in righteousness by punishing the wicked as it says in <\/span>Tehillim \/ Psalms 1<\/span> the path of the wicked is destruction. The blessing that is promised to those who mourn will be that they will be <\/span>\u201ccomforted.\u201d<\/span> It is in and through God\u2019s Messiah that comfort will come. In fact, Yeshua said that he will send the <\/span>\u201ccomforter\u201d<\/span> to us, God\u2019s Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts. The Word of God that has also been given as an encouragement to all of those who mourn because of this fallen world, the pain that we go through in life, and because of the persecution that comes our way because of our faith in the Lord, the word of God helps us to continue to trust and obey the Lord God. We who place our trust in the Lord, He will comfort us.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Yeshua goes on to say those who are gentle will inherit the earth, the chiastic structure shows a parallel to those who are peacemakers who will be called the sons of God. The Greek word used for <\/span>\u201cgentle\u201d <\/span>(\u03c0\u03c1\u03b1\u03b5\u1fd6\u03c2) has the meaning to be <\/span>\u201chumble, meek, gentle, and submissive.\u201d<\/span> These qualities of gentleness show to be a response to faith and maturity, faith that God controls the events of life. A peacemaker provides us with further meaning on what it means to be gentle. A peacemaker does not have within his heart pride to overpower someone but by trusting in God one seeks to make peace with all men.<\/span><\/p>\n

    The next chiasm is those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, they will be satisfied, and the parallel is those who are pure in heart will see God. In these Scriptures, one\u2019s soul is that which is thirsting and hungering for righteousness. This does not eliminate the possibility of physical hunger and thirst, but Yeshua is focusing our attention upon one\u2019s desire for righteousness, this desire should fill up one\u2019s entire life. Just as we seek to find food and drink for our bodies in this world, we also are to seek after righteousness to give food and drink for our souls. This is like the tree that is planted near streams of waters in <\/span>Tehillim \/ Psalms 1:3<\/span> that state <\/span>\u05d2 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b8\u05d9\u05b8\u05d4 \u05db\u05bc\u05b0\u05e2\u05b5\u05e5 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05ea\u05d5\u05bc\u05dc \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc-\u05e4\u05bc\u05b7\u05dc\u05b0\u05d2\u05b5\u05d9 \u05de\u05b8\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05e4\u05bc\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05d9\u05d5\u05b9 | \u05d9\u05b4\u05ea\u05bc\u05b5\u05df \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e2\u05b4\u05ea\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e2\u05b8\u05dc\u05b5\u05d4\u05d5\u05bc \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d9\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05dc \u05d5\u05b0\u05db\u05b9\u05dc \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8-\u05d9\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e9\u05b6\u05b9\u05d4 \u05d9\u05b7\u05e6\u05b0\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9\u05d7\u05b7:<\/span> 1:3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers. (NASB)<\/span> If we follow the Lord God and His righteous ways all of our lives we will be planted firmly in the ground and will not be moved. The Scriptures say we are to set out hearts upon the word of God and to mediate upon His ways day and night. The Psalmist writes <\/span>\u201cMy soul thirsts for God, for the living God; when shall I come and appear before God\u201d<\/span> (<\/span>Tehillim \/ Psalms 42:2<\/span>, <\/span>\u05d2 \u05e6\u05b8\u05de\u05b0\u05d0\u05b8\u05d4 \u05e0\u05b7\u05e4\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u05d9 | \u05dc\u05b5\u05d0\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05dc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc \u05d7\u05b8\u05d9 \u05de\u05b8\u05ea\u05b7\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b8\u05d1\u05d5\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b5\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b6\u05d4 \u05e4\u05bc\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd:<\/span>) indicating that this is something that comes from within. This righteousness is something that is obtained, the emphasis in <\/span>Tehillim \/ Psalms 1 <\/span>and here in the Beatitudes, is not that those who hunger or thirst for righteousness will be given righteousness but that righteousness is the character of those who are true followers of God. Yeshua states that having a hunger and thirst for righteousness, one is aware of his or her need for more of God\u2019s righteousness. This righteousness must continually be sought after whereas the counsel of the wicked, the path of the sinner, and the seat of the scoffers must be continually fled from. Faith in God and a longing for His righteousness will lead to a love for His Torah. Upon having faith in Yeshua the Messiah, we are made righteous. <\/span>2 Corinthians 5:21<\/span>, 21\u03c4\u1f78\u03bd \u03bc\u1f74 \u03b3\u03bd\u1f79\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1 \u1f01\u03bc\u03b1\u03c1\u03c4\u1f77\u03b1\u03bd \u1f51\u03c0\u1f72\u03c1 \u1f21\u03bc\u1ff6\u03bd \u1f01\u03bc\u03b1\u03c1\u03c4\u1f77\u03b1\u03bd \u1f10\u03c0\u03bf\u1f77\u03b7\u03c3\u03b5\u03bd, \u1f35\u03bd\u03b1 \u1f21\u03bc\u03b5\u1fd6\u03c2 \u03b3\u03b5\u03bd\u1f7d\u03bc\u03b5\u03b8\u03b1 \u03b4\u03b9\u03ba\u03b1\u03b9\u03bf\u03c3\u1f7b\u03bd\u03b7 \u03b8\u03b5\u03bf\u1fe6 \u1f10\u03bd \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u1ff7. <\/span>5:21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (NASB)<\/span><\/p>\n

    The Scripture says that those who hunger and thirst after righteousness will be satisfied, this means that God is the One who brings satisfaction. True satisfaction and success comes with knowing God and being pleasing to Him. Those who are pure in heart will see God. Inner purity is the place from which righteous deeds flow. <\/span>Tehillim \/ Psalms 24:3-5 <\/span>states <\/span>\u05d2 \u05de\u05b4\u05d9-\u05d9\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05dc\u05b6\u05d4 \u05d1\u05b0\u05d4\u05b7\u05e8 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05bc\u05de\u05b4\u05d9-\u05d9\u05b8\u05e7\u05d5\u05bc\u05dd \u05d1\u05bc\u05b4\u05de\u05b0\u05e7\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05e7\u05b8\u05d3\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05d5\u05b9: \u05d3 \u05e0\u05b0\u05e7\u05b4\u05d9 \u05db\u05b7\u05e4\u05bc\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b7\u05e8 \u05dc\u05b5\u05d1\u05b8\u05d1 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0-\u05e0\u05b8\u05e9\u05b8\u05b9\u05d0 \u05dc\u05b7\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05b8\u05d5\u05b0\u05d0 \u05e0\u05b7\u05e4\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05e0\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05e2 \u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05de\u05b8\u05d4: \u05d4 \u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05bc\u05c2\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05db\u05b8\u05d4 \u05de\u05b5\u05d0\u05b5\u05ea \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05bc\u05e6\u05b0\u05d3\u05b8\u05e7\u05b8\u05d4 \u05de\u05b5\u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e2\u05d5\u05b9:<\/span> 24:3 Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? And who may stand in His holy place? 24:4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood And has not sworn deceitfully. 24:5 He shall receive a blessing from the Lord And righteousness from the God of his salvation. (NASB)<\/span> The purity of heart and the reward of a pure heart is the thirst and hunger for more and more of the righteousness of God. The pure heart involves the inward commitment to seek the Lord God Almighty. The blessedness of the person who has a pure heart is that they will see God. Scripture says that God is a spirit and therefore invisible to the eyes of men (<\/span>John 1:18, 4:24, Colossians 1:15, 1 Timothy 1:17<\/span>). In <\/span><\/a>Parashat Ki Tisa, the Lord instructed Moshe that he cannot see His face for no man can see God and live (<\/span>Shemot \/ Exodus 33:20<\/span>). In <\/span><\/a>Parashat Yitro (<\/span>Shemot \/ Exodus 24:9-10<\/span>) the Scriptures say that Moshe, Aharon, Nadav and Avihu, and the seventy elders of Israel saw the God of Israel. And in <\/span>Tehillim \/ Psalms 17:15<\/span> it says <\/span>\u05d8\u05d5 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e6\u05b6\u05d3\u05b6\u05e7 \u05d0\u05b6\u05d7\u05b1\u05d6\u05b6\u05d4<\/span> \u05e4\u05b8\u05e0\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05d0\u05b6\u05e9\u05b0\u05b9\u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e2\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d1\u05b0\u05d4\u05b8\u05e7\u05b4\u05d9\u05e5 \u05ea\u05bc\u05b0\u05de\u05d5\u05bc\u05e0\u05b8\u05ea\u05b6\u05da\u05b8:<\/span> 17:15 As for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness; I will be satisfied with Your likeness when I awake. (NASB)<\/span> The purity of heart, seeing God, and beholding His face are all connected to righteousness. The blessedness that is attached to righteousness and the purity of heart is that a person will come to know God (to see Him) perfectly and completely revealed in His Son Yeshua. This is the revelation of the Father. <\/span><\/p>\n

    Yeshua said <\/span>\u201cBlessed are the poor in spirit, Blessed are those who mourn, Blessed are the gentle, Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, Blessed are the merciful, Blessed are the pure in heart, Blessed are the peacemakers, Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, and Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.\u201d <\/span> How can we understand the blessedness of these things according to the writings of the <\/span><\/a>Tanach (Torah, Neviim, and Ketuvim)? The use of the two words for blessing <\/span>\u05d1\u05e8\u05d5\u05da<\/span> (baruch) and <\/span>\u05d0\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9 <\/span>(ashrei) in the Tanach, and the Greek word \u03bc\u03b1\u03ba\u1f71\u03c1\u03b9\u03bf\u03b9 always being translated with <\/span>\u05d0\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9<\/span> along with the Aramaic translation and use of the <\/span>\u201cHappy \/ good\u201d<\/span> (<\/span>\u05d8\u05d5\u05d1\u05d9\u05d4 \u05d8\u05d5\u05d1\u05d5\u05d4\u05d9<\/span>) man, we realize that the blessing is the blessing that comes to the person who lives a righteous life. The happiness that comes to a person who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, who does not stand in the path of the sinner, and does not sit in the seat of the scoffer, is the blessing that comes as a result of one who obeys God and acts in accordance with His Torah. The righteous man delights in the Torah of God, He is like a tree that is planted by streams of water that yield its fruit in its season and its leaves do not wither (<\/span>Tehillim \/ Psalms 1:3<\/span>). The blessed man is sustained in the Word of the Lord and whatever he does he prospers. The contrast is that the wicked do not do as the righteous man and they are blown like chaff in the wind. Their way is the way of destruction, and the unrighteous will not stand in the day of judgement. Therefore, the major point of the blessed man (<\/span>\u05d0\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9-\u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b4\u05d9\u05e9\u05c1<\/span>) is the ultimate happiness that is found is in the one who loves the Lord God Almighty and stays away from sin and unrighteousness and seeks the Lord God and His presence. Do you seek the righteousness of the Lord God? Do you meditate upon His Word day and night because of your love for Him? <\/span>Tehillim \/ Psalms 1 <\/span>captures the idea the true believer is the one who walks in justice, mercy, righteousness, and faithfulness. In striving to be faithful and righteous he delights in God\u2019s Word. Do you delight in God\u2019s Word as a righteous man or woman of God? It is logical therefore that those who love God come to love and follow His Words and take to heart the words of our Master Yeshua the Messiah, truly blessed and happy are those who love the Lord and seek to be pleasing in His eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Rabbinic Commentary<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    The question might be asked, what do the rabbis have in common with the writings of the apostles? As disciples of New Testament studies, should we neglect the rabbinic literature? According to Brad Young, much of the NT was written by Jewish authors for a Jewish audience saying, <\/span>\u201cmany aspects and literary types in rabbinic texts are paralleled in the NT.\u201d<\/span> (<\/span><\/a>Meet the Rabbis, Rabbinic thought and the teachings of Jesus, by Brad H. Young, 2007, Hendrickson Publishers Inc.<\/span>) What is it about the thinking of the ancient Rabbis and their interpretation of the Bible that could help us to understand Scripture? While studying Midrash Tehillim, we will keep these questions in mind.<\/span><\/p>\n

    The Midrash on Tehillim 1 is quite extensive having 22 parts. This week we will be looking at part 20 of the midrash. Let\u2019s begin by outlining Midrash Tehillim Part 20.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Outline of Midrash Tehillim \/ Psalms, Chapter 1, Part 20<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Part 20<\/span><\/p>\n