What does "blessed are the meek" mean?

Quick answer

"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5). Meekness is not weakness — it is strength under control, gentle confidence rooted in God. Meek people don’t need to grasp; they trust God to give.

Jesus quotes Psalm 37:11. The picture is the patient, trusting believer who waits on God rather than fighting for their rights.

Moses was called "meek" (Numbers 12:3) — and he was anything but timid. Meekness is power that does not push, fueled by trust in God.

The promise — inheriting the earth — is staggering: in the new creation, the gentle inherit what the proud could only grasp at.

Related

Original BibleDawn answer · reviewed 2026-06. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy.