Proverbs 20:21 — Word Study
WLCנַ֭חֲלָה מְבֹהֶ֣לֶת בָּרִאשֹׁנָ֑ה וְ֝אַחֲרִיתָ֗הּ לֹ֣א תְבֹרָֽךְ׃
BSAAn inheritancenachălâh [something passed down] gainedbâchal△ [obtained hastily, gotten quickly] quicklyriʼshôwn will notlôʼ [absolutely not, under no circumstances] be blessedbârak▸ [praised, honored by God] in the endʼachărîyth [latter, final, conclusion, outcome]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| נַ֭חֲלָה | an inheritance | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| מְבֹהֶ֣לֶת | hastily gained | Verb, Pual, participle (passive) feminine singular |
| בָּרִאשֹׁנָ֑ה | at first | Preposition |
| וְ֝אַחֲרִיתָ֗הּ | and end its | Conjunction, noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| לֹ֣א | not | Particle |
| תְבֹרָֽךְ׃ | it will be blessed | Verb, Pual, imperfect third person feminine singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | An inheritance gained quickly will not be blessed in the end. |
| KJV | An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed. |
| ASV | An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; But the end thereof shall not be blessed. |
| YLT | An inheritance gotten wrongly at first, Even its latter end is not blessed. |
| WEB | An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning won’t be blessed in the end. |
| BBE | A heritage may be got quickly at first, but the end of it will not be a blessing. |
Where they part company is in the nuances of translation, particularly in the rendering of מְבֹהֶ֣לֶת.
The main clause presents the subject of the proverb, with subordinate clauses providing the conditions and outcomes.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbבָּהַל
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Proverbs 20:21
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Wisdom on Wealth and Inheritancegenerated
Proverbs 20:21 discusses the implications of how one acquires wealth, particularly focusing on inheritance. The surrounding verses emphasize the importance of honoring parents and the dangers of seeking wealth through dishonest means. This context highlights the value of integrity and the long-term consequences of one's actions regarding wealth.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 23:4 | Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to restrain yourself. |
| 2 | Proverbs 28:20–22 | A faithful man will abound with blessings, but one eager to be rich will not go unpunished. |
| 3 | 1 Timothy 6:9 | Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. |
| 4 | Proverbs 13:22 | A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is passed to the righteous. |
| 5 | Proverbs 28:8 | He who increases his wealth by interest and usury lays it up for one who is kind to the poor. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 9 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — נַחֲלָה, Na.cha.lahgenerated
The word נַחֲלָה (nachalah) refers to inheritance, something passed down from one generation to another. It encompasses not just property but also the legacy and rights associated with family heritage. The parsing indicates that it is a feminine singular noun, emphasizing its role as a key concept in discussions of family and legacy.
Inheritance represents a person's share or possession, crucial in understanding biblical ideas of family dynamics and responsibilities. It is derived from a root meaning to inherit and is consistently used in contexts related to estates and heirlooms.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The translations agree that the verse speaks about an inheritance gained hastily and its lack of blessing in the end.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse has a main clause with a finite verb תְבֹרָֽךְ, it will be blessed, and two subordinate clauses: the first describes the nature of the inheritance and the second indicates the condition under which it will not be blessed. The structure emphasizes the contrast between the quick gain and the eventual outcome.
The word order highlights the inheritance gained quickly as the subject, leading to the conclusion that such an inheritance will not be blessed, which is the main assertion of the proverb.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates נַחֲלָה as μερὶς (meris), meaning 'portion' or 'inheritance', which aligns with the Hebrew sense of a share passed down. This choice maintains the concept of inheritance while slightly broadening its application to include a portion of something.
For מְבֹהֶ֣לֶת, the LXX uses ἐπισπουδαζομέμη (epispoudazomenē), which implies a sense of urgency or haste, reflecting the Hebrew verb's connotation of being alarmed or hurried. This choice emphasizes the negative implications of hastily acquired wealth.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 20:21 warns that an inheritance gained quickly will not be blessed in the end. This means that if someone rushes to obtain wealth or property, it may not bring them lasting good. The verse encourages careful consideration of how one acquires wealth and the importance of integrity.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It suggests that wealth obtained hastily may lead to negative consequences, and true blessings come from integrity and patience.
Inheritance represents not just material wealth but also family legacy and values, emphasizing the importance of how it is acquired.
It aligns with other Proverbs that caution against dishonesty and emphasize the value of integrity in acquiring wealth, such as in Proverbs 23:4.
We learn that pursuing wealth hastily can lead to negative outcomes, and it is better to seek wealth through honest and diligent means.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I seen the consequences of hastily gained wealth in my life or in the lives of others?
- How can I ensure that I pursue wealth and inheritance with integrity?
- What does this verse teach me about the importance of patience in acquiring what I desire?
- How can I apply the wisdom of this proverb in my daily decisions regarding finances?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early commentators like Gregory the Dialogist and Bede reference this proverb to discuss the dangers of hastily acquired wealth and its implications for eternal inheritance.
When they burn to be filled at once with all manner of wealth, let them hear what is written, "He that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent." For certainly he who goes about to increase wealth is negligent in avoiding sin;Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 20 →
An inheritance obtained hastily in the beginning, etc. Those who seek to be multiplied in this life through the wickedness of avarice will be disinherited in the future from eternal patrimony.Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 20 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 20:21 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAn inheritance [may be] gotten hastily at the beginning,.... Of a man's setting out in the world in trade and business; and which sometimes is got lawfully, and this must be excepted from this
Read John Gill on Proverbs 20 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAn inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed. An inheritance (may be) gotten hastily, [so the Qeri' reads, mªbohelet (H926); cf.
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 20 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleAn inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; an estate sometimes is got suddenly, in the very beginning of a man’ s labours for it; in which case it may be presumed that some indirect and unrighteous courses were used for the getting of it, because riches are very seldom given by God, or gotten by men, without men’ s diligence. But this, as well as many other proverbs, are to be understood of the common course, although it admit of some exceptions. For sometimes merchants or others get great estates speedily by one happy voyage, or by some other prosperous event. This translation follows the Hebrew marginal reading, but according to the textual reading it may be thus rendered and…
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 20 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 20:21 An inheritance [may be] gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.Ver. 21. An inheritance may be gotten hastily, &c.] By wishing and working the death of parents, or by any other evil arts whatsoever. See an instance hereof in Achan, Ahab, Gehazi, Adonijah’ s leaping into the throne without his father’ s leave. Jehoahaz also, the younger son of Josiah, would needs be king after his father, putting by his eldest brother, Jehoiakim; but he was soon put down again, and put into bands by Pharaohnechoh. He portrayed the ambitionist to the life, that pictured him snatching at a crown, and falling, with this motto, Sic mea fata sequor. So I am…
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 20 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(21) The end thereof shall not be blessed.—Comp. Proverbs 28:20 : the evil means by which he acquired the possession will, at the last, be visited upon him. Thus Jacob was punished severely for the selfishness by which he gained the birthright, and for the fraud by which he obtained the blessing belonging to his brother.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 20 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 21. An inheritance - gotten hastily] Gotten by speculation; by lucky hits; not in the fair progressive way of traffic, in which money has its natural increase. All such inheritances are short-lived; God's blessing is not in them, because they are not the produce of industry; and they lead to idleness, pride, fraud, and knavery. A speculation in trade is a public nuisance and curse. How many honest men have been ruined by such!
Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 20 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges21. hastily] Comp. Proverbs 28:20; Proverbs 28:22.
Read Cambridge on Proverbs 20 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleOr, An inheritance gotten hastily (greedily sought after by unjust means) at the beginning, the end thereof shall not be blessed.
Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 20 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
An inheritance gained quickly will not be blessed in the end.
An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning won’t be blessed in the end.
An inheritance gained quickly will not be blessed in the end.
An inheritance gained easily in the beginning will not be blessed in the end.
Tyndale line
An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.
An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; But the end thereof shall not be blessed.
An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.
An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end of it shall not be blessed.
An heritage is hastely gotten at the beginning, but the end thereof shall not be blessed.
Strictly literal
An inheritance obtained hastily at the beginning will not be blessed in the end.
An inheritance gotten wrongly at first, Even its latter end is not blessed.
An inheritance gotten wrongly at first, || Even its latter end is not blessed.
An inheritance hastily gotten at the beginning will at its end not be blessed,
An inheritance gained quickly at the beginning will do less good in the end.
From the Latin
The inheritance gotten hastily in the beginning, in the end shall be without a blessing.
Simplified
Wealth gained too soon won't do you any good in the end.
A heritage may be got quickly at first, but the end of it will not be a blessing.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the wording of the verse, with all six words matched in the Hebrew and Greek versions. This consistency indicates a shared understanding of the proverb's message regarding inheritance and its consequences.
נַ֭חֲלָה מְבֹהֶ֣לֶת בָּרִאשֹׁנָ֑ה וְ֝אַחֲרִיתָ֗הּ לֹ֣א תְבֹרָֽךְ׃
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Proverbs 20:21
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
נַחֲלָה (nachalah) refers to concepts of possession and inheritance, encompassing property, shares, and heritage. It is derived from a root meaning to inherit and is used in the context of estates and heirlooms. The entries consistently highlight its relation to ownership and inheritance without significant disagreement among lexicons.
נַחֲלָה 224 n.f. possession, property, inheritance
property
portion, share
inheritance
base
H5159 נַחֲלָה possession, property, inheritance . property
. portion, share
. inheritance
5159 nachalah nakh-al-aw'
from 5157 (in its usual sense); properly, something
inherited, i.e. (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an
heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or
portion:--heritage, to inherit, inheritance, possession.
Compare 5158.
see HEBREW for 05157
see HEBREW for 05158
נַחֲלָה (na.cha.lah) — inheritance.
1) possession, property, inheritance, heritage
1a) property
1b) portion, share
1c) inheritance, portion
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
in-her'-i-tans (nahalah, "something inherited," "occupancy," "heirloom," "estate," "portion"): The word is used in its widest application in the Old Testament Scriptures, referring not only to an estate received by a child from its parents, but also to the land received by the children of Israel as a gift from Yahweh. And in the figurative and poetical sense, the expression is applied to the kingdom of God as represented in the consecrated lives of His followers. In a similar sense, the Psalmist is represented as speaking of the Lord as the portion of his inheritance. In addition to the above word, the King James Version translations as inheritance, morashah, "a possession," "heritage" (De 33:4; Eze 33:24); yerushshah, "something occupied," "a patrimony," "possession" (
[HEIR]
The laws of inheritance among the Hebrews were very simple. Land might be mortgaged, but could not be alienated, Nu 36:6-9. See JUBILEE. The only permanent right to property was by heritage, or lineal succession. The eldest son had a double portion. Females had no territorial possession; but if a man left no sons, his daughters inherited-on condition of their marrying into a family within the tribe to which their father belonged. If a man had no children, his land passed to distant relatives, according to a law laid down in Nu 27:8-11. The Law of Moses rendered wills unnecessary; they were introduced, however, at a later period, Ga 3:15 Heb 9:17. Property was sometimes…
→ Provisions for inheritance under Levirate marriages Ge 38:7-11; Nu 36:6-9; De 25:5-10; Ru 3:1-8; 4:7-17
→ UNCLASSIFIED SCRIPTURES RELATING TO Ge 15:3; 21:9-11; 24:36; 25:5,6; 48:21,22; Nu 27:6-11; De 21:15-17; 1Ki 21:3; 2Ch 21:3; Job 42:15; Pr 17:2; 20:21;
בָּהַל (bahal) is a Hebrew verb that conveys a range of meanings related to disturbance and haste. It can mean to be disturbed, terrified, or anxious, as well as to act hastily or make haste. The entries indicate various grammatical forms, including Niph, Pi, Pu, and Hiph, which reflect different nuances of dismay and urgency.
[בָּהַל] vb.
Niph.
be disturbed, dismayed, terrified
be in haste, hasty
Pi.
dismay, terrify
hasten, make haste, act hastily
Pu. hastened; hastily gained
Hiph.
dismay, terrify
(late) hasten, hurry
base
H926 בָּהַל . . be disturbed, dismayed, terrified
. be in haste, hasty
. . dismay, terrify
. hasten, make haste, act hastily
. hastened; hastily gained
. . dismay, terrify
. (late) hasten, hurry
926 bahal baw-hal'
a primitive root; to tremble inwardly (or palpitate), i.e.
(figuratively) be (causative, make) (suddenly) alarmed or
agitated; by implication to hasten anxiously:--be (make)
affrighted (afraid, amazed, dismayed, rash), (be, get, make)
haste(-n, -y, -ily), (give) speedy(-ily), thrust out, trouble,
vex.
בָּהַל (ba.hal) — to dismay.
1) to disturb, alarm, terrify, hurry, be disturbed, be anxious, be afraid, be hurried, be nervous
1a) (Niphal)
1a1) to be disturbed, dismayed, terrified, anxious
1a2) to be in haste, be hasty
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to make haste, act hastily, be hurried, be hastened
1b2) to dismay, terrify
1c) (Pual)
1c1) to hasten
1c2) hastened, hastily gained (part.)
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to hasten, hurry, make haste
1d2) to dismay, terrify
HVPsfsa — Verb · Pual · participle (passive) feminine singularHVPsfsa
The Hebrew word רִאשׁוֹן (*ri'shown*) means 'first' and can refer to something that is primary, former, or chief. It encompasses meanings related to time, rank, and location, indicating ancestors or previous things. The entries consistently emphasize its use as an adjective and adverb, with no significant disagreement noted among the lexicons.
רִאשׁוֹן 182 adj. former, first, chief
base
H7223 רִאשׁוֹן former, first, chief
7223 ri'shown ree-shone'
or riishon {ree-shone'}; from 7221; first, in place, time or
rank (as adjective or noun):--ancestor, (that were)
before(-time), beginning, eldest, first, fore(-father)
(-most), former (thing), of old time, past.
see HEBREW for 07221
רִאשׁוֹן (ri.shon) — first.
: first
adj
1) first, primary, former
1a) former (of time)
1a1) ancestors
1a2) former things
1b) foremost (of location)
1c) first (in time)
1d) first, chief (in degree)
adv
2) first, before, formerly, at first
רִאשׁוֹן (ri.shon) — first: previous.
: previous
adj
1) first, primary, former
1a) former (of time)
1a1) ancestors
1a2) former things
1b) foremost (of location)
1c) first (in time)
1d) first, chief (in degree)
adv
2) first, before, formerly, at first
רִאשׁוֹן (ri.shon) — first: chief.
: chief
adj
1) first, primary, former
1a) former (of time)
1a1) ancestors
1a2) former things
1b) foremost (of location)
1c) first (in time)
1d) first, chief (in degree)
adv
2) first, before, formerly, at first
Prep | Adj — PrepositionHRd/Aofsa
furst ('echadh, ri'shon; proton, to proton, protos):
Of these words, which are those most frequently used for "first," ri'shon is from rosh, "the head, and is used for the highest, chief, etc.; also of time, the beginning, e.g. Ge 8:13, in the first month"; in Isa 44:6; 48:12, it is used of Yahweh as Eternal and solely Supreme--the First and the Last (compare Isa 41:4). Special usages are in connection with "firstborn," "first- fruit," etc.; proton is used of that which is first in order; but also of that which is first or chief in importance, etc. (Mt 6:33; Jas 3:17). In
אַחֲרִית (achariyth) means 'end' or 'after-part' and encompasses concepts like the future, posterity, and remnants. It can refer to the last time or the latter part of events, often with prophetic implications. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to be behind' and is noted in various contexts, including discussions of time and lineage.
אַחֲרִית 61 n.f. after-part, end
base
H319 אַחֲרִית after-part, end
319 'achariyth akh-ar-eeth'
from 310; the last or end, hence, the future; also
posterity:--(last, latter) end (time), hinder (utter) -most,
length, posterity, remnant, residue, reward.
see HEBREW for 0310
אַחֲרִית (a.cha.rit) — end.
1) after part, end
1a) end, issue, event
1b) latter time (prophetic for future time)
1c) posterity
1d) last, hindermost
Aramaic equivalent: a.cha.rit (אַחֲרִית "latter" H0320)
Conj | N-fs | Suff — Conjunction · noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHC/Ncfsc/Sp3fs
לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'
לֹא or לוֹא adv. not
base
H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not
3808 lo' lo
or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often
used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,
ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,
no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out
of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +
of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.
לֹא (lo) — not.
1) not, no
1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)
1b) not (with modifier-negation)
1c) nothing (subst)
1d) without (with particle)
1e) before (of time)
Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Part — ParticleHTn
The Hebrew word בָּרַךְ (*barak*) is built from a primitive root meaning 'to kneel' and encompasses a range of meanings including 'to bless' and 'to curse.' It can refer to blessing God or men, as well as the act of kneeling in adoration. The entries note that it can also imply a curse in certain contexts, reflecting a nuanced use in greetings and farewells.
[בָּרַךְ] 329 vb. kneel, bless
Qal
kneel down
bless
Niph. bless oneself
Pi.
bless God, adore with bended knees
God blesses
men bless men
salute, greet, with an invocation of blessing
bless, with the antithetical meaning curse from the greeting in departing, saying adieu to, taking leave of; but rather a blessing overdone and so really a curse as in vulgar English as well as in the Shemitic cognates
Pu.
pass. to be blessed, adored
prospered by God
have prosperity invoked, by Balaam
in gratitude
Hiph. and he made his camel kneel
Hithp. bless oneself, congratulate oneself in his heart
base
H1288 בָּרַךְ kneel, bless .. kneel down
. bless
. bless oneself
. . bless God, adore with bended knees
. God blesses
. men bless men
. salute, greet, with an invocation of blessing
. bless, with the antithetical meaning curse from the greeting in departing, saying adieu to, taking leave of; but rather a blessing overdone and so really a curse as in vulgar English as well as in the Shemitic cognates
. . pass. to be blessed, adored
. prospered by God
. have prosperity invoked, by Balaam
. in gratitude
. and he made his camel kneel
. bless oneself, congratulate oneself in his heart
1288 barak baw-rak'
a primitive root; to kneel; by implication to bless God (as
an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit);
also (by euphemism) to curse (God or the king, as treason):--X
abundantly, X altogether, X at all, blaspheme, bless,
congratulate, curse, X greatly, X indeed, kneel (down),
praise, salute, X still, thank.
בָּרַךְ (ba.rakh) — to bless.
1) to bless, kneel
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to kneel
1a2) to bless
1b) (Niphal) to be blessed, bless oneself
1c) (Piel) to bless
1d) (Pual) to be blessed, be adored
1e) (Hiphil) to cause to kneel
1f) (Hithpael) to bless oneself
2) (TWOT) to praise, salute, curse
Aramaic equivalent: be.rakh (בְּרַךְ "to bless" H1289)
V-Pual-Imperf-3fs — Verb · Pual · imperfect third person feminine singularHVPi3fs
bles'-ed (barukh): Where God is referred to, this word has the sense of "praise," as in 1Sa 25:32, "Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel." But where man is in mind it is used in the sense of "happy" or "favored," and most frequently so in the Psalms and the Gospels, as for example, "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the wicked" (Ps 1:1); "Blessed art thou among women" (Lu 1:42); "Blessed are the poor in spirit" (Mt 5:3).
See BEATITUDES.