Matthew 5:6

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Matthew 5:6 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

King James Version KJV

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

American Standard Version ASV

Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Bible in Basic English BBE

Happy are those whose heart's desire is for righteousness: for they will have their desire.

Free Bible Version FBV

Blessed are those whose greatest desire is to do what is right, for they will be satisfied.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Blessed are they which hunger and thirst for righteousnes: for they shalbe filled.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

'Happy those hungering and thirsting for righteousness — because they shall be filled.

World English Bible WEB

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill.

Translation for Translators T4T

God is pleased with people who sincerely desire to live righteously just like they desire to eat and drink [MET]; they will be enabled {he will enable them} to do all that he desires [MET].

Plain English Version PEV

Some people really want to live the right way, and they want other people to live the right way too. They think about that more than anything else, like they are really hungry and thirsty for it to happen. All right, God will give them what they want, and they will be really happy.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Matthew 5:6

BAB

Word Study

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Matthew 5:6 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK μακαριοι οι πεινωντες και διψωντες την δικαιοσυνην οτι αυτοι χορτασθησονται

μακαριοι makarios G3107 blessed Adj-NPM

οι ho G3588 the/this/who Art-NPM

πεινωντες peinaō G3983 to hunger Verb-PAP-NPM

και kai G2532 and Conj

διψωντες dipsaō G1372 to thirst Verb-PAP-NPM

την ho G3588 the/this/who Art-ASF

δικαιοσυνην dikaiosunē G1343 righteousness Noun-ASF

οτι hoti G3754 that/since: that Conj

αυτοι autos G846 it/s/he Pron-NPM

χορτασθησονται chortazō G5526 to feed Verb-FPI-3P

Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — Matthew 5:6

μακαριοι makarios G3107 "blessed" Adj-NPM

Blessed or happy, as in Matthew 5:3 and John 20:29. It describes a state of supreme bliss or good fortune, often used to congratulate someone. This word is used to express joy or congratulations.

Definition: μακάριος, -α, -ον (collat. form of poët. μάκαρ, in Hom., Hes., chiefly of the gods and the departed), [in LXX for אֹשֶׁר ;] blessed, happy (DCG, i, 177, 213): θεός (δυνάστης), 1Ti.1:11 6:15; ἐλπίς, Tit.2:13; esp. in congratulations, usually with the omission of the copula (M, Pr., 180; B1., § 30, 3), μ. ὁ, Mat.5:3 ff., Luk.6:20 ff. Jhn.20:29, Rev.1:3, al.; before ptcp., Luk.1:45, al.; ὅς, Mat.11:6, Luk.7:23, Rom.4:7-8; ὅτι, Mat.13:16, al.; ἐάν, Jhn.13:17, 1Co.7:40; compar., μ. . . . μᾶλλον, Act.20:35; -ώτερος, 1Co.7:40 SYN.: εὐλογητός, q.v (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 49 NT verses. KJV: blessed, happy(X -ier) See also: 1 Corinthians 7:40; Luke 23:29; 1 Peter 3:14.

οι ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-NPM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

πεινωντες peinaō G3983 "to hunger" Verb-PAP-NPM

To hunger means to feel a strong need or craving for food, like when Jesus fasted for 40 days in Matthew 4:2. It can also be used figuratively to describe a deep desire or longing, as in Matthew 5:6 where it refers to hungering and thirsting for righteousness.

Definition: πεινάω, -ῶ [in LXX chiefly for = רָעֵב ;] to hunger, be hungry: Mat.4:2 12:1, 3 21:18 25:35, 37 25:42, 44, Mrk.2:25 11:12, Luk.1:53 4:2 6:3, Rom.12:20" (LXX), 1Co.4:11 11:21 11:34 Php.4:12, Rev.7:16; metaphorically, Mat.5:6, Luk.6:21, 25, Jhn.6:35.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 23 NT verses. KJV: be an hungered See also: 1 Corinthians 4:11; Matthew 4:2; Revelation 7:16.

και kai G2532 "and" Conj

And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.

Definition: καί, conj., and __I. Copulative. __1. Connecting single words; __(a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. __(b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; __(with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. __2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. __(a) where, after the simplicity of the popular language, sentences are paratactically joined (WM, §60, 3; M, Pr., 12; Deiss., LAE, 128ff.): Mat.1:21, 7:25, Mrk.9:5, Jhn.10:3, al.; __(b) joining affirmative to negative sentences: Luk.3:14, Jhn.4:11, IIIJhn.10; __(with) consecutive, and so: Mat.5:1, 23:32, Heb.3:19, al.; after imperatives, Mat.4:19, Luk.7:7, al.; __(d) = καίτοι, and yet: Mat.3:14, 6:26, Mrk.12:12, Luk.18:7 (Field, Notes, 72), 1Co.5:2, al.; __(e) beginning an apodosis (= Heb. וְ; so sometimes δέ in cl.), then: Luk.2:21, 7:12, Act.1:10; beginning a question (WM, §53, 3a): Mrk.10:26, Luk.10:29, Jhn.9:36. __3. Epexegetic, and, and indeed, namely (WM, §53, 3c): Luk.3:18, Jhn.1:16, Act.23:6, Rom.1:5, 1Co.3:5, al. __4. In transition: Mat.4:23, Mrk.5:1, 21, Jhn.1:19, al.; so, Hebraistically, καὶ ἐγένετο (וַי:הִי; also ἐγένετο δέ), Mrk.1:9 (cf. Luk.5:1; V. Burton, §§357-60; M, Pr., 14, 16). __5. καὶ . . . καί, both . . . and (for τε . . . καί, see: τε); __(a) connecting single words: Mat.10:28, Mrk.4:41, Rom.11:33, al.; __(b) clauses and sentences: Mrk.9:13, Jhn.7:28, 1Co.1:22, al. __II. Adjunctive, also, even, still: Mat.5:39, 40; Mrk.2:28, al. mult.; esp. with pron., adv., etc., Mat.20:4, Jhn.7:47, al; ὡς κ., Act.11:17; καθὼς κ., Rom.15:7; οὑτω κ., Rom.6:11; διὸ κ., Luk.1:35; ὁ κ. (Deiss., BS, 313ff.), Act.13:9; pleonastically, μετὰ κ.. (Bl., §77, 7; Deiss., BS, 265f,), Php.4:3; τί κ., 1 Co 15:29; ἀλλὰ κ., Luk.14:22, Jhn.5:18, al.; καίγε (M, Pr., 230; Burton, §437), Act.17:27; καίπερ, Heb.5:8; κ. ἐάν, see: ἐάν. ἐάν, contr. fr. εἰ ἄν, conditional particle, representing something as "under certain circumstances actual or liable to happen," but not so definitely expected as in the case of εἰ with ind. (Bl., §65, 4; cf. Jhn.13:17, 1Co.7:36), if haply, if; __1. with subjc. (cl.); __(a) pres.: Mat.6:22, Luk.10:6, Jhn.7:17, Rom.2:25, 26 al.; { __(b) aor. (= Lat. fut. pf.): Mat.4:9 16:26 (cf. ptcp. in Luk.9:25; M, Pr., 230), Mrk.3:24, Luk.14:34, Jhn.5:43, Rom.7:2, al.; = cl. εἰ, with opt., Jhn.9:22 11:57, Act.9:2; as Heb. אִם = ὅταν, Jhn.12:32 14:3, I Jhn.2:28 3:2, Heb.3:7" (LXX) . __2. C. indic, (as in late writers, fr. Arist. on; see WH, App., 171; VD, MGr. 2, App., §77; Deiss., BS, 201f., LAE, 155, 254; M, Pr., 168, 187; Bl., §65, 4); __(a) fut.: Mat.18:19 T, Luk.19:40, Act.7:7; __(b) pres.: 1Th.3:8 (see Milligan, in l.). __3. With other particles: ἐ. καί (Bl., §65, 6), Gal.6:1; ἐ. μή (M, Pr., 185, 187; Bl., l.with), with subjc. pres., Mat.10:13, 1Co.8:8, Jas.2:17, 1Jn.3:21; aor., Mat.6:15, Mrk.3:27, Jhn.3:3, Rom.10:15, Gal.1:8 2:16 (see Lft., Ellic., in ll.); ἐ. τε . . . ἐ. τε, [in LXX for אִם . . . אִם, Est.19:13, al.,] Rom.14:8. __4. = cl. ἄν (which see) after relat. pronouns and adverbs (Tdf., Pr., 96; WH, App., 173; M, Pr., 42f.; Bl., §26, 4; Mayser, 152f.; Deiss., BS, 202ff.): ὃς ἐ., Mat.5:19, Mrk.6:22, 23 Luk.17:32, 1Co.6:18, al.; ὅπου ἐ., Mat.8:19; ὁσάκις ἐ., Rev.11:6; οὗ ἐ., 1Co.16:6; καθὸ ἐ., 2Co.8:12; ὅστις ἐ., Gal.5:10. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

διψωντες dipsaō G1372 "to thirst" Verb-PAP-NPM

To thirst means to have a strong desire for something, like water or spiritual fulfillment. Jesus used this word to describe those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. It appears in Matthew 5:6 and John 4:14.

Definition: διψάω,-ῶ (δίψα, thirst), [in LXX chiefly for צָמֵא ;] to thirst: absol., Mat.25:35, 37 25:42, 44, Jhn.4:13, 15 19:28, Rom.12:20" (LXX), 1Co.4:11; figuratively, Jhn.4:14 6:35 7:37, Rev.7:16 21:6 22:17; with accusative (= cl. with genitive), τ. δικαιοσύνην, Mat.5:6.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 16 NT verses. KJV: (be, be a-)thirst(-y) See also: 1 Corinthians 4:11; Matthew 25:35; Revelation 7:16.

την ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-ASF

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

δικαιοσυνην dikaiosunē G1343 "righteousness" Noun-ASF

Righteousness is about living according to God's will, as seen in Matthew 5:6 and Romans 4:3, where it's about being in right relationship with God.

Definition: δικαιοσύνη, -ης, ἡ (δίκαιος), [in LXX chiefly for צֶדֶק, and cognates, Gen.15:6, al., rarely for חֶסֶד, Gen.19:19 ;] the character of ὁ δίκαιος (which see) __1. in broad sense, righteousness, conformity to the Divine will in purpose, thought and action: Mat.5:6, Jhn.16:8, Act.13:10, Rom.4:3; λόγος δικαιοσύνης, teaching of r., Heb.5:13; βασιλεὺς δ. (cf. FlJ, BJ, vi, 10, β. δίκαιος), Heb.7:2; ὅπλα δ., Rom.6:13; ὁδὸς δ., Mat.21:32; θώραξ τῆς δ., Eph.6:14; διὰκονοι δ., 2Co.11:15; ὁσιότης καὶ δ., Luk.1:75, cf. Eph.4:24; ἀγαθωσύνῃ καὶ δ., Eph.5:9; δ. κ. εἰρήνη κ. χαρά, Rom.14:17; δ. κ. ἁγιασμός, 1Co.1:30; opposite to ἁμαρτία, Rom.8:10; ἀνομία, 2Co.6:14; άδικία, Rom.3:5; ποιεῖν τὴν δ., 1Jn.2:29 Jn 3:7; id. as an inclusive term for the active duties of the religious life (ICC, in l; Abbott, Essays, 73 ff), Mat.6:1; ἐργάζεσθαι δ., Act.10:35; διώκειν δ., 1Ti.6:11; πληροῦν πᾶσαν δ., Mat.3:15; ζῆν τῇ δ., 1Pe.2:24; δ. θεοῦ, a righteousness divine in its character and origin, Mat.6:33, Jas.1:20, (where it also includes the idea of God's personal r.; see ICC, on Rom.1:17) Rom.1:17 3:5, 21-26 10:3, 2Co.5:21, Php.3:9; ἡ δ. τ. πίσιεως, Rom.4:11; ἡ ἐκ π. δ., Rom.9:30; ἡ κατὰ π. δ., Heb.11:7; opposite to this is ἡ ἐκ νόμου δ., Rom.10:5; ἡ δ. ἐν ν., Php.3:6; ἡ ἰδία δ., Rom.10:3, cf. Php.3:9 __2. In narrower sense (cf. δίκαιος), justice: Act.17:31, 2Pe.1:1, Rev.19:11 (DCG, ii, 529 ff.; Cremer, 190, 690). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 86 NT verses. KJV: righteousness See also: 1 Corinthians 1:30; Luke 1:75; 1 Peter 2:24.

οτι hoti G3754 "that/since: that" Conj

This Greek word means 'that' or 'because', used to introduce a reason or explanation. It appears in the New Testament, such as in Matthew 3:9 and Romans 8:38. It helps to show cause and effect in sentences.

Definition: ὅτι, conjc. (prop. neut. of ὅστις). __I. As conjc, introducing an objective clause, that; __1. after verbs of seeing, knowing, thinking, saying, feeling: Mat.3:9 6:32 11:25, Mrk.3:28, Luk.2:49, Jhn.2:22, Act.4:13, Rom.1:13 8:38 10:9, Php.4:15, Jas.2:24, al.; elliptically, Jhn.6:46, Php.3:12, al. __2. After εἶναι (γίνεσθαι): defining a demonstr. or of person(s) pron., Jhn.3:19 16:19, Rom.9:6, 1Jn.3:16 al.; with pron. interrog., Mat.8:27, Mrk.4:41, Luk.4:36, Jhn.4:22 al.; id. elliptically, Luk.2:49, Act.5:4, 9, al.; __3. Untranslatable, before direct discourse (ὅτι recitantis): Mat.7:23, Mrk.2:16, Luk.1:61, Jhn.1:20, Act.15:1, Heb.11:18, al. (on the pleonastic ὡς ὅτι, see: ὡς). __II. As causal particle, for that, because: Mat.5:4-12, Luk.6:20, 21, J0 1:30 5:27, Act.1:5, 1Jn.4:18, Rev.3:10, al. mult.; διὰ τοῦτο ὅτι, Jhn.8:47 10:17, al.; answering a question (διὰ τί), Rom.9:32, al.; οὐκ ὅτι . . . ἀλλ᾽ ὅτι, Jhn.6:26 12:6. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1185 NT verses. KJV: as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why See also: 1 Corinthians 1:5; 1 John 5:2; 1 Peter 1:12.

αυτοι autos G846 "it/s/he" Pron-NPM

This pronoun refers to a person or thing, like 'he', 'she', or 'it'. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a person or thing, like in John 2:25 where it says 'he himself knew'.

Definition: αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). __1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); __(1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; MM, see word); __(2) emphatic, he, she, it (M, Pr., 86; Bl., §48, 1, 2, 7), Mat.1:21, 12:50, Luk.6:35, al.; pointing to some one as master (cl.), Mat.8:24, Mrk.4:38, al.; αὐ., καὶ αὐ. = οὗτος, ὁ δε (BL, §48, 1), Mat.14:2, Mrk.14:15, 44, Luk.1:22, 2:28, al. __2. In oblique cases (cl.), for the simple pron. of 3rd of person(s), he, she, it, Mat.7:9, 10:12, 26:44, al.; with ptcp. in genitive absol., Mat.9:18, Mrk.13:1, al. (for irreg. constructions, V. Bl., §74, 5); pleonastically after the relative (cf. Heb. אֲשֶׁר לוֹ; WM, 184ff.; Bl., §50, 4; MM, see word), Mrk.7:25, Rev.3:8, 7:2, al.; in constr. ad sensum, without proper subject expressly indicated, Mat.4:23, Act.8:5, 2Co.2:13, al.; genitive αὐτοῦ = ἐκείνου, Rom.11:11, 1Th.2:19, Tit.3:5, Heb.2:4. __3. ὁ, ἡ, τὸ αὐ., the same: Heb.1:12, 13:8; τὸ αὐ., ποιεῖν, Mat.5:46, 47, al.; φρονεῖν, Rom.12:16, 15:5, Php.2:2, al.; τὰ αὐ., Act.15:27, Rom.2:1, al.; κατὰ τὸ (τὰ) αὐ. (MM, see word), Act.14:1, Luk.6:23, al.; ἐπὶ τὸ αὐ., together (MM, see word), Mat.22:34, Act.1:15, al.; ἓν κ. τὸ αὐ., 1Co.11:5, 12:11; with dative (cl.), 1Co.11:5; with a noun, λόγος, Mrk.14:39; μέτρος, Php.1:30; πνεῦμα, 1Co.12:4. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 3773 NT verses. KJV: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 John 3:10; 1 Peter 1:3.

χορτασθησονται chortazō G5526 "to feed" Verb-FPI-3P

To feed or fill with food is what this word means, like giving animals fodder or people a satisfying meal. Jesus used it to describe feeding the 5,000 in Matthew 14:20 and Mark 6:42.

Definition: χορτάζω (χόρτος), [in LXX for שָׂבַע, Psa.17:14 al. ;] __(a) prop., of animals (see Lft. on Php.4:12), to feed, fatten: Rev.19:21; __(b) in late Gk. (Kennedy, Sources, 82, 156), of persons, to fill or satisfy with food: with accusative of person(s), Mat.15:33; pass., Mat.14:20 15:37, Mrk.6:42 7:27 8:8, Luk.9:17, Jhn.6:26, Jas.2:16; opposite to πεινᾶν, Php.4:12; with genitive of thing(s), Mrk.8:4; ἀπό, Luk.16:21; ἐκ, Luk.15:16, WH, txt.; metaphorically, Mat.5:6, Luk.6:21.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 15 NT verses. KJV: feed, fill, satisfy See also: James 2:16; Mark 8:4; Revelation 19:21.

Study Notes — Matthew 5:6

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Context
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Matthew 5:6 Summary
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Gill's Exposition on Matthew 5:6
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Matthew 5:6
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Matthew 5:6
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Adam Clarke's Commentary on Matthew 5:6
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Barnes' Notes on Matthew 5:6
Whedon's Commentary on Matthew 5:6
Sermons on Matthew 5:6

Context — The Beatitudes

4Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

7Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	John 4:14	But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life.”
2	Psalms 107:9	For He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.
3	John 6:27	Do not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval.”
4	John 6:48–58	I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that anyone may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And this bread, which I will give for the life of the world, is My flesh.” At this, the Jews began to argue among themselves, “How can this man give us His flesh to eat?” So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of Man, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is real food, and My blood is real drink. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood remains in Me, and I in him. Just as the living Father sent Me and I live because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your fathers, who ate the manna and died, the one who eats this bread will live forever.”
5	Isaiah 55:1–3	“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost! Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods. Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant— My loving devotion promised to David.
6	Psalms 145:19	He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them.
7	John 7:37	On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.
8	Luke 6:21	Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.
9	Revelation 7:16	‘Never again will they hunger, and never will they thirst; nor will the sun beat down upon them, nor any scorching heat.’
10	Psalms 42:1–2	As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When shall I come and appear in God’s presence?

Matthew 5:6 Summary

This verse is saying that if we really want to live a good life and do what is right, God will help us and make us full of joy and peace. It's like when we are really hungry and thirsty, and then we eat and drink something that fills us up - that's what God does for us when we seek Him and want to live for Him, as we see in Matthew 6:33, where Jesus teaches us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. When we prioritize living a righteous life, God will provide for us and give us what we need. This is not just about following rules, but about having a personal relationship with God and living a life that is pleasing to Him, as we see in John 15:11, where Jesus says that He came so that we might have joy and be filled with it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to hunger and thirst for righteousness?

To hunger and thirst for righteousness means to deeply desire and long for a life of moral uprightness and obedience to God, as seen in Psalm 42:1-2, where the psalmist expresses a deep longing for God's presence and righteousness.

How can we be filled with righteousness?

We can be filled with righteousness by seeking a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ, as stated in John 6:35, where Jesus says, 'I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.'

Is this verse only for people who are already righteous?

No, this verse is for anyone who desires to live a righteous life, regardless of their current spiritual state, as Romans 3:23 reminds us that all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory, but through faith in Jesus Christ, we can be made righteous.

How does this verse relate to the rest of the Beatitudes?

This verse is part of a series of blessings pronounced by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, and it fits with the theme of living a life that is pleasing to God, as seen in the surrounding verses, such as Matthew 5:4 and Matthew 5:7, which emphasize the importance of mourning, meekness, and mercy.

Reflection Questions

What are some areas in my life where I am not living righteously, and how can I seek God's help to change?
How can I cultivate a deeper hunger and thirst for righteousness in my daily life?
What are some ways that I can seek to be filled with righteousness, such as through prayer, reading Scripture, or seeking accountability from others?
How does my desire for righteousness compare to my desire for other things, such as wealth, status, or comfort?
What would it look like for me to prioritize righteousness above all else, and how can I take steps to make that a reality in my life?

Gill's Exposition on Matthew 5:6

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst,.... Not after the riches, honours, and pleasures of this world, but after righteousness; by which is meant, not justice and equity, as persons oppressed

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Matthew 5:6

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Matthew 5:6

You see many men and women hungering and thirsting after sensual satisfactions, or after sensible enjoyments; these are unhappy, miserable men, they often hunger and thirst, and are not satisfied: but I will show you a more excellent way, a more excellent object of your hunger and thirst, that is, righteousness; both a righteousness wherein you may stand before God, which is in me, , and is revealed from faith to faith, , and the righteousness of a holy life. Those are blessed men, who first seek the kingdom of heaven, and the righteousness thereof, God will fill these men with what they desire, ,2 Lu 1:53. There are some who understand this text of a hungering after the clearing of their innocency towards men, which is natural to just and innocent persons falsely accused and traduced, and they have a promise of being filled, ; but I see no reason to conclude this the sense of this text.

Trapp's Commentary on Matthew 5:6

6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Ver. 6. Blessed are those that hunger and thirst after righteousness] The righteousness of Christ both imputed and imparted ( iustitia imputata, impertita). This is in Christ for us, being wrought by his value and merit, and is called the righteousness of justification. This is in us from Christ, being wrought by his virtue and spirit, and is called the righteousness of sanctification. Both these the blessed must hunger and thirst after, that is, earnestly, and afflictim desire, as Rachel did for children, she must prevail or perish; as David did after the water of the well of Bethlehem, to the jeopardy of the lives of his three mightiest, 1 Chronicles 11:18; as the hunted hart (or, as the Septuagint readeth it, ηελαφος, hind) brayeth after the water brooks. The philosophers observe of the hart or hind, that being a beast thirsty by nature, when she is pursued by dogs, by reason of heat and loss of breath, her thirst is increased. (Aristot., Lucret., Oppian., Psalms 42:1) And in females the passions are stronger than in males; so that she breathes and brays after the brooks with utmost desire: so panteth the good soul after Christ, it panteth and fainteth, it breatheth and breaketh for the longing that it hath unto his righteousness at all times, Psalms 119:20. She fainteth with Jonathan, swooneth and is sick with the Spouse, yea, almost dead with that poor affamished Amalekite, 1 Samuel 30:12. And this spiritual appetite add affection ariseth from a deep and due sense and feeling of our want of Christ, whole Christ, and that there is an absolute necessity of every drop of his blood. There must be a sad and serious consideration of man’ s misery and God’ s mercy. Whence will arise (as in hunger and thirst), 1. A sense of pain in the stomach. 2. A want and emptiness. 3. An eager desire of supply from Christ, who is the true bread of life, and heavenly manna; the rock flowing with honey, and fountain of living water, that reviveth the fainting spirits of every true Jonathan and Samson, and makes them never to thirst again after the world’ s tasteless fooleries: like as his mouth will not water after homely provision that hath lately tasted of delicate sustenance. They shall be satisfied] Because true desires are the breathings of a broken heart, which God will not despise, Psalms 51:17. He poureth not the oil of his grace but into broken vessels. For indeed, whole vessels are full vessels, and so this precious liquor would run over and be spilt on the ground.

Ellicott's Commentary on Matthew 5:6

(6) Which do hunger and thirst.—We seem in this to hear the lesson which our Lord had learnt from the recent experience of the wilderness. The craving of bodily hunger has become a parable of that higher yearning after righteousness, that thirsting after God, even as the hart desireth the water-brooks, which is certain, in the end, to gain its full fruition. Desires after earthly goods are frustrated, or end in satiety and weariness. To this only belongs the promise that they who thus “hunger and thirst” shall assuredly be filled. The same thoughts meet us again in the Gospel which in many respects is so unlike that of St. Matthew. (Comp. John 4:14; John 4:32).

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Matthew 5:6

Verse 6. They which do hunger and thirst] As the body has its natural appetites of hunger and thirst for the food and drink suited to its nourishment, so has the soul. No being is indestructible or unfailing in its nature but GOD; no being is independent but him: as the body depends for its nourishment, health, and strength upon the earth, so does the soul upon heaven. Heavenly things cannot support the body; they are not suited to its nature: earthly things cannot support the soul, for the same reason. When the uneasy sensation termed hunger takes place in the stomach, we know we must get food or perish. When the soul is awakened to a tense of its wants, and begins to hunger and thirst after righteousness or holiness, which is its proper food, we know that it must be purified by the Holy Spirit, and be made a partaker of that living bread, John 8:48, or perish everlastingly. Now, as God never inspires a prayer but with a design to answer it, he who hungers and thirsts after the full salvation of God, may depend on being speedily and effectually blessed or satisfied, well-fed, as the word χορτασθησονται implies. Strong and intense desire after any object has been, both by poets and orators, represented metaphorically by hunger and thirst. See the well-known words of Virgil, AEneid iii. 55. ---------Quid non mortalia pectora cogis, Auri sacra FAMES! "O cursed hunger after gold! what canst thou not influence the hearts of men to perpetrate?" How frequently do we find, inexplebilis honorum FAMES-SITIENS virtutis-famae SITUS, the insatiable hunger after honour, a thirst for virtue, thirst after fame, and such like! Righteousness here is taken for all the blessings of the new covenant - all the graces of the Messiah's kingdom - a full restoration to the image of God!

Cambridge Bible on Matthew 5:6

6. This longing for righteousness is God’s gift to the meek.

Barnes' Notes on Matthew 5:6

Blessed are they which do hunger ... - Hunger and thirst, here, are expressive of strong desire. Nothing would better express the strong desire which we ought to feel to obtain righteousness than hunger and thirst.

Whedon's Commentary on Matthew 5:6

6. Hunger and thirst. — Here is something more than mere vacuity, or penitence, or tranquil readiness. It is an ardent longing — a holy appetite for all that is right and good.

Sermons on Matthew 5:6

	Sermon	Description
	The Beginning of Miracles - Part 1 by Kathryn Kuhlman	In this sermon, Catherine Kuhlman shares the story of how miracles began happening in her ministry. She reflects on her early years of ministry, when she was full of energy and hun
	Suffering With Jesus Christ by Leonard Ravenhill	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of taking on the yoke of Jesus. He uses the analogy of a train staying on track to illustrate the importance of being in bondage
	Unity That Brings Revival by A.W. Tozer	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of being absorbed in Christ and His Word. He believes that God cannot bless or bring revival to a church unless its members ar
	Christian Growth - Part 6 by Alan Redpath	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Jacob from the Bible. Jacob had lived his life independently of God, making mistakes and facing the consequences. Eventually, Go
	(John the Baptist Comes to Town) - Part 2 Calling Men to Come Clean With God by Rolfe Barnard	In this sermon, the preacher highlights the moral decay and violence that is prevalent in society, not just in New York City but throughout America. He emphasizes the need for true
	(Matthew) ch.18:21-19:30 by Zac Poonen	In this sermon, Jesus addresses the attitude of seeking rewards for serving God. He emphasizes that one cannot serve both God and money, and that the love of money can hinder one f
	Here I Am, Send Me by George Verwer	This sermon emphasizes the importance of wisdom, humility, and perseverance as believers prepare to leave a spiritual gathering. It highlights the need for biblical balance, the in