"Beatitude" refers to an
entire body of sayings with a similar literary form. Found in Egyptian, Greek,
and Jewish literature, such sayings are technically known as "macarisms" (from
the Greek makarios, 'blessed' or 'happy'). Within the entire New
Testament there are 37 beatitudes, seventeen of which are regarded as sayings
of Jesus (although their authenticity is questioned by some biblical scholars).
The eight sayings of Christ in Matthew's Sermon on the Mount are often referred
to as THE Beatitudes. They incorporate an unconditional promise of
salvation and thus illustrate Jesus' good news. [adapted from "Beatitudes" in
The Anchor Bible Dictionary (1992 & 1997) available on CD-Rom]