The Priestly Blessing, also known as the Aaronic Blessing, is one of the most profound and beautiful prayers in Scripture. Given by God Himself, it was spoken by the priests over the people of Israel as a declaration of God’s favor, peace, and presence.
The Priestly Blessing in Scripture
The Priestly Blessing is recorded in Numbers 6:22-27:
“And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: ‘Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, “This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them:
The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.”’“So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.”
Who Gave This Blessing and Why?
Given by God to Moses – This blessing was not man-made. It was a direct instruction from God to Moses for Aaron and his sons (the priests) to speak over Israel.
Spoken by the Priests – Aaron and his descendants, the Levitical priesthood, were commanded to declare this over the people as an official blessing from God.
A Sign of God’s Covenant – This blessing was part of Israel’s identity as God’s chosen people. It symbolized His protection, grace, and peace over them.
Breaking Down the Blessing
“The Lord bless you and keep you”
“Bless” – This refers to God’s provision and favor in every area of life—spiritually, physically, and materially.
“Keep” – This means protection. God is a defender, guarding His people from harm and evil.
Psalm 121:7-8 – “The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.”
“The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you”
“Make His face shine” – This symbolizes God’s presence and favor. Just as the sun gives warmth and life, God’s presence brings joy, guidance, and life.
“Be gracious” – This speaks of God’s mercy and kindness, showing His undeserved love toward His people.
Exodus 34:6 – “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth.”
“The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace”
“Lift up His countenance” – This means that God looks upon you with approval and delight. It represents His personal care and attention.
“Give you peace” – The Hebrew word for peace is “shalom”, which means more than just an absence of conflict. It refers to wholeness, completeness, well-being, and divine order in every aspect of life.
Isaiah 26:3 – “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”
“So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.”
This is God’s personal seal of ownership on His people. It is a reminder that they belong to Him, and because of this, His blessing follows them.
Deuteronomy 28:9-10 – “The Lord will establish you as a holy people to Himself… Then all peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the Lord, and they shall be afraid of you.”
What Does This Blessing Mean for Us Today?
Although this blessing was originally given to Israel, the heart of God remains the same for His people today. As believers in Christ, we are grafted into the promises of God (Romans 11:17) and receive His blessings through Jesus.
Jesus is the Fulfillment of the Priestly Blessing
The Lord bless you → Jesus is the greatest blessing given to mankind (John 3:16).
The Lord keep you → Jesus is the Good Shepherd who protects His flock (John 10:11).
The Lord make His face shine upon you → Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12).
The Lord be gracious to you → Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ (John 1:17).
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you → Jesus said, “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20).
The Lord give you peace → Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).
Through Christ, we now have direct access to God’s presence. The veil in the temple was torn when Jesus died (Matthew 27:51), symbolizing that the blessing of God is available to all who believe in Him.
Ephesians 1:3 – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.”
An Interesting Tidbit: The Priestly Blessing and the Vulcan Hand Sign
A fun historical connection: Leonard Nimoy, the actor who played Spock in Star Trek, was Jewish. The famous “Live Long and Prosper” hand sign was inspired by the traditional Jewish priestly blessing gesture, which is made by forming a shape similar to the Hebrew letter Shin (ש)—representing Shaddai, one of God’s names.
This gesture was used by Jewish priests when pronouncing the Priestly Blessing over the congregation. Nimoy recalled seeing it in synagogue services as a child and adapted it for Star Trek.
While this is just an interesting cultural note, it serves as a reminder that biblical traditions have left a lasting impact on the world, even in unexpected places.
My Final Thoughts
The Priestly Blessing is more than just words—it is a divine declaration of God’s favor, protection, and peace. As believers, we are assured that these blessings are extended to us, our families, knowing that God’s promises remain true.
May the Lord bless you and keep you!
Numbers 6:24-26 – “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.”
