BLAZE Mk 1« 'to blaze abroad the matter'
(RV ' sjiread abro.ad,' Gr. Jia^Ti^ffw, in Mt aff" tr"" 'commonly reported,' liV 'was spread abroad'; in Mt 9^' 5ie<f>ri^i(rav aiirhv, ' they sjiread abroad his fame'). This verb /)lrize = to 'blow,' then 'pro- claim,' ' publish,' is to be distinguished from blaze = bum. See Ox/. Eng. Diet. J. Hastings.
BLEMISH.— See Medicine.
BLESSEDNESS.— The word ' blessedness ' is not found in the OT, and it only appears three times in the NT (AV), and then as trie translation of a word (/laxapiff/iis) which indicates the ascription of blessing, not the state of the blessed, so that the Revisers liave rightly expunged it, substituting 'blessing' in the first two cases (Ro 4'-*), and ' gratulation ' in the third (Gal 4">). Nevertheless, the idea which it conveys is the result of a legitimate generalisation from biblical statements. By the term 'blessedness' we understand the Summum Bonum regarded as a ^ft from God, or as enjoyed in some divine relationship — a divine Summum Bonum. Throu^ihout the Bible this is centred in the idea of life, in its more elementary stages as the normal human existence on earth, in its more advanced condition as eternal life (fiD<) al6vios). The Hebrew seems to have regarded length of days as a supreme object of desire (e.g. Ps 21'). Hence, while it is a most terrible curse for a man to be cut off' in the midst of his days (e.g. Ps 55^), for his life to be spared is a blessing devoutly sought after (e.g. Ps 39'^), so that to live on to a ripe old age is the crowning mercy (e.g. 1 Ch 29''*). The OT idea of blessedness is largely temporal and external, though mingled with higher spiritual thoufjhtsas in Ps le'"-". Next to the life of the individual is the extension of that life in his family and the perpetuation of it through his descendants, 80 that tne natural human instinct for immortality is in a measure satisfied by contemplating the prospect of an endless posterity. For this reason, as also because of the present good which the possession of a family is to a man, that is an important item in the OT notion of blessedness. Earthly prosperity enters into the notion, not merely on its own account, but also as a sign of God's favour, although the latter point is disputed throughout the Book of Job. In the Proverbs, abundance of goods — one's barns filled \vith plenty (Pr 3'") — is treated as a great sign of prosperity, but wisdom is there regarded as the Sum,- mum Bonum (Pr 4'). In Messianic prophecy the thought of blessedness is expanded to signify the national weal rather than purely individual pro- sperity. This is to come in a golden age of wide- spread plentj' and general happiness, following a triumph over the enemies of Israel. In particular, justice will take the place of tyranny and robbery, good order will be maintained, and universal peace prevail (e.g. Is 11'"', eS"'-"*). It is principally through the two ideas of righteousness and peace that tne ideal is advanced to a more spiritual con- ception (e.g._ Ps 119"»). In the NT the idea of blessedness is greatly elevated. According to the Synoptists, Jesus Clirist speaks of eternal life as the supreme boon of the future (e.g. Lk IS**). According to the Fourth Gospel, He dwells much more largely on this subject, and treats it as a present possession (e.g. Jn G"). St. Paul follows, accentuating the blessedness of eternal life as God's gift to man (RoG*"). In the beatitudes wit! which He opens the Sermon on the Mount, out Lord describes, not only the characters that will be blessed, but also the nature of the highest good. Tlie blessed are, according to St. LuUe, the poor, the}- that Imnger and weep now, and tliey who are hated, separated, and reproached by men ; and their blessedness is to possess the kingdom of God, and to he filled and laugh (Lk O'"'-^). According to St. Matthew, they are more spiritually regarded as the poor in spirit, they that mourn, the meek, they whicli do Imnger and thirst after rigliteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake ; while tlieir blessedness consists respectively in having the kingdom of heaven— elsewhere described as a pearl of great price (Mt 13'"')— in being com
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forted, inheriting the earth, bein" filled, obtaining mercy, BeeinK God, being called the children of God (iMt 5'-^). In the Parable of the Talents, fnture blessedness takes the form of high honour together with enlarged sen-ice (Mt 25-'). The Apoc. describes the blessedness of the Church in the victory and reign of Christ and the coming of the heavenly Jerusalem (Kev 21. 22). See also Beatitlue, Happiness. W. F. Adeney.