In Friday, February 12, 2021’s daily digest, JW talks about Armageddon involving good news and a reason for happiness. It quotes NWT Revelation 1:3 which reads:
“Happy is the one who reads aloud and those who hear the words of this prophesy and who observe the things written in it, for the appointed time is near.
In viewing the Kingdom Interlinear, it too confirms the NWT Scripture. However, as I then scrolled to the American Standard Version and the King James Version which is also quoted on the JW daily digest, the word used there is ‘blessed’.
This led me to search other versions of the Bible to ascertain what the Holy Scriptures stated in other bible versions. On reviewing these bibles, I discovered that except for Byington, NWT and the Kingdom Interlinear, all use ‘blessed’.
Thinking that maybe I was being too literal, I decided to explore whether or not the words‘ happy’ and ‘blessed’ give the same meaning.
I therefore researched both words and found that the simplest explanation is in WikiDiff.com which explains that “blessed is having divine aid, or protection, or other blessing”. “Happy is experiencing the effect of favourable fortune; having the feeling arising from the consciousness of well-being or of enjoyment……”
One of the most memorable sermons that Jesus gave was the Sermon on the Mount. The NWT uses the word ‘happy’ for the beatitudes, but on reviewing other bibles, I discovered that in every instance the word ‘blessed’ is used.
QUESTION: Why does the JW bible substitute such a powerful and meaningful adjective as ‘blessed’ with ‘happy’?
Elpida
The question why the JW bible substitutes blessed with happy is an assumption that blessed is correct in the first place. Rather we may find that english translators of old substituted happy with blessed and for good reason at the time. Here is a comment I found on stackexchamge which I feel explains the reasons for using happy instead of blessed. As you have noticed, English has changed a lot since the first translations were made. Now, the original meaning of ‘blessed’, according to the etymology, is ‘consecrated’, but it started to pick up a second meaning—over time it started… Read more »
Excellent commentary on that “Days Text” Elpida
Good solid research Jeremiah. I wish I could put thoughts into words as well as you do.
I also reckon WT would not use the word “blessed” in line with their idea that they are “not like those other ordinary” religions. A form of reverse snobbery perhaps?
YLT also has HAPPY. If you check here: https://studybible.info/strongs/G3107
you can see both words can be used. It depends in my view what you like to stress. In this case, I do not have a real preference.
I cannot be happy without God’s blessing.
When God blesses me, then I am happy.
Frankie: I completely understand that. I like to do what the Bereans did in Jesus’ time and that is to research the Holy Scriptures. It is not a case of happy or blessed as much as what did Jesus say? From all indications, the only bible who uses the word ‘happy’ was NWT and the Kingdom Interlinear and Byington. I think if Jesus meant ‘happy’, He would have said so.
Elpida, have you read some of the other comments?
Jeremiah: Yes, I have. I very much appreciate all comments. I am far from perfect about my understanding and I am learning so much from all of you. Your insights are welcoming. To be able to see your’s and others’ understanding is what is so precious in studying the Holy Scriptures. Thank you.
Then I am happy! Thank you Elpida for your gracious reply.
First of all, I am not an expert, but since that doesn’t stop me from using my brain, I might share a few bits that I have noticed. I’m using the NWT for this. The answer to the question posed in the article is… in the final paragraph. To start with the idea of being blessed, depending on the context it may have different meanings, like a favourable outcome of an endeavour or strength and support during a trial. It is an umbrella term for something favourable. Perhaps equivalent to “good luck”, except that where being lucky is a result… Read more »
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. How wonderful it would be if this sharing was permitted at a JW meeting.
En français les bibles “Louis Second” “Sacy” “osty” “Jérusalem” “Darby” “Abbé Crampon 1923” traduisent toutes par heureux ou bienheureux et non béni. Dictionnaire “Le Robert” en français pour bienheureux = heureux, béni, enchanté. Heureux et béni sont des synonymes et semblent donc interchangeables. Pourtant, selon la Bible, comme c’est bien souligné dans le sermon sur la montagne, c’est un bonheur qui découle de l’approbation de Dieu, de sa bénédiction. Math 5 : 9/10 “Heureux ceux qui favorisent la paix, puisqu’ils seront appelés fils de Dieu”. C’est ce que souligne également la concordance Strong : “3107 makários (de mak -, “devenir… Read more »
In my experience, not too many truly spiritual people in the Jdubs. Attempts to change the subject bringing up a spiritual subject would be a conversation stopper except with the very few. I think this is because of having been being denied the full Christian hope through Jesus, but rather have a hope of getting to live in someone else’s luxury house, the owner of whom died at Armageddon, coupled with fear of dying at Armageddon themselves, poor sods. ? This material outlook is looking forward to “happiness”, not “blessedness”. Maybe it’s with this earthly hope in mind that “happy”… Read more »
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with an earthly hope as many witnesses see it. You’re totally right about the spirituality, generally. Again applies this: you do not know if a person is nice (spiritual, loving etc.) until you have seen how that one behaves in a conflict or when not getting their way. I had that with a long-standing elder who became abusive when he couldn’t handle Scriptural reasoning as he tried to compel be to keep quiet about the mishandling of child sexual abuse in the Netherlands. None of my business? You’ll probably get much closer to the… Read more »