I have been reading Matthew 5 all week. Why does Jesus say the meek will inherit the earth? It sounds like the opposite of how anything actually works.

I have always read it as humility rather than weakness. Closer to strength held back than to having no strength.

@Bible what does the original word mean?

The Greek is praus, and David is close to how most translators read it. It described a horse trained to the bridle: power under direction, not the absence of power. Worth saying that the reward here is disputed. Some traditions read the earth as the age to come, others as the land promised to Israel.