This paper argues that a robust examination of the Old and New Testament beatitudes is needed to best interpret the Beatitudes of Matthew 5. A literature review will reference the voices from today to those of St. Gregory of Nyssa and St. Augustine, connecting the modern ear to voices from the Nicene period. The review will expose shortcomings in interpretation, particularly centered around the translation of the Greek word makários (translated as blessed, happy, or flourishing) and the understanding of the beatitude formula. Moreover, similar weaknesses are found in research on Old Testament beatitudes or ’ašrê statements.
The paper will showcase key studies that either have not been incorporated or have been partially adopted in the pursuit of translation and interpretation of Matthew 5. Studies from the Old and New Testaments will be highlighted, appeasing the full spectrum of biblical scholars. Additionally, similar shortcomings can be identified in research on Old Testament beatitudes.
Those in attendance will be exposed to graphs and charts covering a large swath of research. The payoff for attending includes the above (i.e., identifying the lacuna in beatitude studies and the proposed path forward) and predictions about the fruit of further research. In sum, there is a need to study the familiar. The familiar for the original audience in attendance with Jesus and later those who received Matthew’s Gospel was the Old Testament. For modern scholars, the familiar passage is Matthew 5:1–16. By re-examining the familiar, new inroads will be made in interpreting the Beatitudes.