This word describes the state of being blessed or the happiness that flows from divine favor. It appears in Paul's teaching about justification by faith. Romans 4:6 speaks of 'the blessedness of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works,' citing David's psalm about forgiven sins. Romans 4:9 asks whether 'this blessedness' comes only to the circumcised or also to the uncircumcised, answering that Abraham was justified by faith before circumcision. Galatians 4:15 recalls the Galatians' former blessedness when they first received Paul's gospel. The word emphasizes not merely happiness, but the privileged state of those whom God has favored.