I agree that "fortunate" is the best translation
of the Aramaic TUBIHON. The translation of "Today's English
Version" as "Happy" just doesn't cut it with me.
>
> As to the significance in the context of the Beatitudes,
> Jesus seems to be turning conventional attitudes on their
> ear:
>
> "Fortunate [are] the ones [who are] destitute in
> their spirit,
> because theirs is the kingdom of the heavens ...."
"Poor in Spirit" was also a designation used by
the Assaya (Essenes) and the early Yeshuine Jews/Netzarim.
Sometimes I wonder if Yeshua may not have been referring
to the Essenes and those of similar piety.
Jack Kilmon
jpman@accesscomm.net