The Qumran Beatitudes (4Q525) and the New Testament

This study examines the Qumran text 4Q525, a collection of beatitudes, and its relationship to the New Testament beatitudes found in Matthew 5:3–11 and Luke 6:20–26. It highlights formal and thematic parallels, such as the use of "blessed" statements and the emphasis on virtues like purity of heart and adherence to divine law. While both texts share structural similarities and draw from Jewish wisdom traditions, the Qumran beatitudes focus on present ethical conduct and wisdom, whereas the New Testament beatitudes introduce an eschatological dimension, promising future rewards in the Kingdom of Heaven. This comparison suggests that the New Testament beatitudes may have been influenced by existing Jewish literary forms, adapting them to convey a message centered on future divine blessings.