articlesforchristians

THE PRIESTLY BENEDICTION

According to rabbinical sources, this priestly benediction-consisting of fifteen words- was to be prayed only by the high priest, following the evening and morning daily offerings. The high priest raised both hands above his head and over the people, joining his hands at the thumbs in the shape of the Hebrew Letter Shin, a letter representing the Name of God. He then pronounced seven different blessings over the people. Numbers 6:22-27 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel, and I will bless them.

1. The Lord bless you.
   • The Hebrew word Bless is bāraḵ.
     • Strong’s H1288 בָּרַךְ bârak, baw-rak’; a primitive root; to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (God or the king, as treason):—× abundantly, × altogether, × at all, blaspheme, bless, congratulate, curse, × greatly, × indeed, kneel (down), praise, salute, × still, thank.
2. The Lord keep you. The Hebrew word for keep is šāmar.
   •  Strong’s H8104 שָׁמַר shâmar, shaw-mar’; a primitive root; properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.:—beward, be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save (self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man).
3. The Lord make His face shine upon you: This word pânîym is the common Hebrew word for face.
   • פָּנִים pânîym, paw-neem’; plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה pâneh; from H6437); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively);
4. The Lord be gracious unto you: Gracious in Hebrew is chânan or ḥānan.
   • חָנַן chânan, khaw-nan’; a primitive root (compare H2583); properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (i.e. move to favor by petition):—beseech, × fair, (be, find, shew) favour(-able), be (deal, give, grant (gracious(-ly), intreat, (be) merciful, have (shew) mercy (on, upon), have pity upon, pray, make supplication, × very.
5. The Lord lift His countenance upon you: The word for countenance is also pânîym. (See number 3)
6. The Lord give you peace: The Hebrew word for peace here is shâlôwm.
   • שָׁלוֹם shâlôwm, shaw-lome’; or שָׁלֹם shâlôm; from H7999; safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health, prosperity, peace:—× do, familiar, × fare, favour, friend, × great, (good) health, (× perfect, such as be at) peace(-able, -ably), prosper(-ity, -ous), rest, safe(-ty), salute, welfare, (× all is, be) well, × wholly.
7. The priest then spoke the name of the Lord over the people God’s name is significant. God leads the people who exalt His name.