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[Stuff]

How often do you think that Matthew 5:5 "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." is misinterpreted?

[jimwalton]

Well, no one can say how often it might be misinterpreted. That's pretty much an impossible answer.

"Meek" is the Greek word πραεῖς. It means "gentle; humble; considerate; meek; unassuming; mild". So you can see it carries a variety of nuance depending on the context. Other scholars, knowing more of the cultural contexts, clarify and inform us that it is *not* indolence or flabbiness, niceness, weakness, compromising. We are left to try to discern what Jesus meant by it. People's interpretations are pretty much all over the map. But since Jesus, in the sermon, seems to be giving a manifesto of his kingdom under the new covenant, we are wisest to interpret it as contrasting the attitudes and ways of the world. Jesus never advocated weakness, but he did preach against pride, power, and self-will. We're probably close to the mark when we interpret meekness in line with...

- renouncing personal rights and power
- humility (which is taking a proper view of oneself)
- being considerate rather than overbearing
- being a person of contentment rather than agitation

There are only two people in the Bible specifically mentioned as meek: Moses and Jesus. Neither of them were weak people. In the cultural context, the word has an association with domesticated animals, specifically to beasts of burden. The ox pulling the plow is not weak, but rather extraordinarily strong. But his power is harnessed and focused. Some think, therefore, that meekness is strength submitted to an appropriate authority.