What Does Matthew 5:7 Mean in the King James?
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The same Greek word-family names both the mercy you extend and the mercy you receive.
THE MEANING
Flourishing belongs to the one who meets another’s need with mercy, and the promise is that mercy will meet them in return. The same word-family binds both halves: the person is merciful, and mercy is shown to them.
THE ROOT
ἐλεήμονες
eleēmones
GROWS FROM
ἔλεος
eleos
Mercy or compassion directed toward another’s need.
The verse repeats this word-family in both halves: the merciful are met with mercy. English makes the promise sound like two separate ideas, while Greek ties the mercy offered to another to the mercy received.
ALSO GROWS
eleeō: To act with mercy or compassion.
ἐλεέω
It shares the same word-family and shows mercy as something done, not only felt.
eleēmosynē: Mercy expressed through giving to someone in need.
ἐλεημοσύνη
It carries the word-family into concrete care, showing how mercy moves outward.
THE PATTERN
Mercy takes priority over religious performance and shapes how people meet one another.
For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.THE THREAD
For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.James repeats the same Greek word for mercy, while Matthew uses that word-family for both the one who shows mercy and the one who receives it. Together they reveal mercy as a movement between people that changes how judgment meets them.
Read the SDV Bible.
Every verse has a Deep Dive in the app.
The iPhone Bible app with the Selah Decoded Version.
Does something in this reading look wrong? Tell us