In the same way that verses 3-4 are based on Isaiah 61, so verse 5 finds its background in Psalm 37.11. As the psalm indicates, the metaphor was taken over from the possession of Canaan by the Israelites. The meek (Good News Translation “humble”) of this verse and the “poor” of verse 3 are the same people viewed from a different perspective (see comment at Matthew 5.3). In fact, in the language of Jesus the word could hardly be distinguished from “poor.” It contained echoes of “insignificant, lowly,” and may even be rendered “powerless.” These people possess no power because they do not need it; they rest their entire hope on God. Instead of trying to overpower others, they serve him. Phillips translates “those who claim nothing,” and Barclay “whose strength is in their gentleness.” Once again Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, 1st edition is dynamic: “who renounce the use of force.” Elsewhere in the New Testament the word meek is used only in Matthew 11.29; 21.5; and 1 Peter 3.4, where Good News Bible renders either “gentle” or “humble.”

Meek in modern English has negative connotations of someone who is submissive and easily imposed on. Words such as “gentle,” “humble,” or “nonaggressive” are perhaps better. One good translation is “who don’t trust in their own power.”

They shall inherit the earth: the verb translated inherit carries the more general meaning of “to receive as one’s possession” or “to share in” (see 19.29; 25.34; 1 Cor 6.9-10; 15.50; Gal 5.21; Heb 1.14). To translate with the equivalent of the English word inherit may intimate that someone has died (in this context, God!) and has left someone else his possessions.

The promise of possessing the land was originally limited to the land of Canaan (see Gen 17.8) but then was extended to include the entire earth, over which God would someday rule. In essence, then, this is simply another expression for the Kingdom of heaven of Matthew 5.3. Both of these ideas existed side by side in Israel’s expectation for the future. The God of heaven has given earth to mankind as a place for their existence. But the time would come when God’s people would enjoy the benefits of heaven and the joys of a redeemed earth. Good News Translation completely spiritualizes this promise (“they will receive what God has promised”), while Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch attempts to maintain some of the imagery (“since God will give them the earth for their possession”). New English Bible (“they shall have the earth for their possession”) and Phillips (“for the whole earth will belong to them”) are similar to Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, except that they have maintained the passive rather than making God the explicit subject.

Those translators who follow the interpretation of Good News Translation may need to use an active construction instead of a passive one. Further, they may have to specify what God is going to give; for example, “the blessing” or “the good things.” Consequently, possible translations are “God will give them what he has promised” or “God will give them all the blessings (or, good things) he has promised.” But other translators who want to retain the image of “earth” will find Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, 1st edition a useful model, as in “God will give them the whole earth to possess.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .