Texts in conversation

Compare 2 Enoch 52:11 and Matthew 5:9

Pseudepigrapha, Apocalypses · New Testament

Summary

2 Enoch 52 and Matthew 5 include beatitudes that bless those who actively promote peace. Both likely share a common tradition in early Jewish teaching that describes peacemaking not as passive but as deliberate and active.

Passages

2 Enoch 52:11

Pseudepigrapha, Apocalypses · Secrets of Enoch

9 Blessed is he who keeps the foundations of his fathers made firm from the beginning. 10 Cursed is he who perverts the decrees of his ancestors. 11 Blessed is he who implants peace and love. 12 Cursed is he who disturbs those who love their neighbors. 13 Blessed is he who speaks with a humble tongue and heart to all. 14 Cursed is he who speaks peace with his tongue, while in his heart there is no peace but a sword. 15 For all these things will be laid bare in the weighing-scales and in the books, on the day of the great judgment.

1–100 CE (scholarly estimate) Read in 2 Enoch

Matthew 5:9

New Testament

7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them. 11 Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things about you falsely on account of me.

70–90 CE (scholarly estimate) Read in Matthew

References

"... In the seventh beatitude, blessedness is pronounced on the peacemakers, because “they will be called children of God”. The lexical study of the peacemakers in the preceding section shows that while peacemakers may refer to those who reconcile, it can also be used more broadly to refer to those who create shalom. There is further evidence from rabbinic and Jewish wisdom literature to show that peacemaking primarily refers to concrete steps to promote harmony within interpersonal relationships. (e.g. 2 Enoch 52:11–13; Mekhilta on Exodus 20:25) Understood in this manner, peacemaking goes beyond non-violence or passively maintaining a state where hostility is absent; it is an active pursuit of harmonious relationships as intended by God. Generally speaking, peacemaking is not mediating peace between other people, but initiating one’s own peace with others. For this reason, an examination of Jesus’ teachings about interpersonal relationships in Matthew may provide hints as to what is intended by the “peacemakers” in 5:9. Within the Sermon on the Mount itself, there are at least three teachings concerning interpersonal relationships - Matthew 5:23, 5:38–42, and 5:43–48 - which are closely related to the idea of peacemaking in 5:9. They have to do with reconciliation and forgiveness, revenge, and loving one’s enemies ..."

Jonathan W. Lo, “Sharing the Blessing of the Peacemaker: An Exegetical Analysis of Matt 5:9,” Hill Road (2014): 1–15.

References are not endorsements of their contents. Read each reference in full to understand its author's intentions in using these texts.

2 Enoch73 chapters

Compare 2 Enoch 52:11 and Matthew 5:9

Summary

Passages

2 Enoch 52:11

Matthew 5:9

References

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