What is the meaning of the phrase ‘the meek shall inherit the earth’?
Those who are humble, gentle, and unassuming will one day inherit the earth.
What is the origin of the phrase ‘the meek shall inherit the earth’?
The phrase ‘the meek shall inherit the earth’ first appears in writing in the new testament of the Christian bible, specifically in Matthew chapter 5, verse 5. This verse is part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, which includes a series of teachings known as the Beatitudes. The full quote from the Beatitudes is as follows:
“”Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.” (Matthew 5:3-11, ESV)
As with any other element of biblical scripture, there’s much speculation of what might be meant by ‘the meek shall inherit the earth’. Here are some common perspectives:
Submission to God’s Will: Some interpret “the meek” as those who possess an attitude or quality of heart that is willing to accept and submit without resistance to the will of God. This view emphasises humility and gentleness in one’s relationship with God and others.
Faith and Reward: Another interpretation is that Jesus referred to those who have faith in Him. According to this perspective, believers in Jesus will inherit the earth when the Messiah returns and establishes His kingdom.
Some versions of the bible have a slightly different translation of this line. For example, the New American Standard Bible has “Blessed are the gentle, for they will inherit the earth”, while the New Living Translation bible has “Blessed are the humble, for they will inherit the earth”.
These variations highlight the nuanced meanings of “meekness” as encompassing qualities such as gentleness and humility.
