The Priestly Blessing

The Priestly Blessing: A Timeless Prayer of Peace and Favor

Throughout the history of Israel, one blessing has stood out as a profound expression of Adonai’s (The Lord's) love, protection, and favor: the Priestly Blessing, also known as the Birkat Kohanim or the Aaronic Blessing. This blessing is found in Bemidbar (Numbers) 6:22-27 and has been spoken over the people of Israel for millennia. Its beauty lies in both its simplicity and its deep spiritual significance, making it a cornerstone of worship in Jewish and Messianic communities alike.

The Scriptural Foundation

The Priestly Blessing is recorded in Bemidbar (Numbers) 6:22-27:

"Adonai (The Lord) spoke to Moshe (Moses), saying, 'Speak to Aharon (Aaron) and his sons, saying, "This is how you are to bless the children of Yisra'el (Israel). You shall tell them,
Adonai bless you, and keep you;
Adonai make His face to shine on you, and be gracious to you;
Adonai lift up His face toward you, and give you shalom (peace)."
So they shall put My name on the children of Yisra'el, and I will bless them."'
(Bemidbar 6:22-27, HNV)

In this passage, Adonai instructs Moshe to have Aharon, the high priest, and his descendants bless the people of Yisra'el in a very specific way. This blessing, spoken directly by the Kohanim (priests), carried the divine power of God’s favor, protection, and peace upon the people. Let’s explore each line of this ancient prayer to understand its significance and why it continues to resonate in our lives today.

"Adonai bless you and keep you" (Numbers 6:24)

The first line of the Priestly Blessing is a declaration of Adonai’s desire to bless and protect His people. When the Kohanim proclaimed, "Adonai bless you," they were invoking God’s abundant provision, favor, and grace over the lives of those they blessed. The Hebrew word for "bless" (ברך, barak) conveys the idea of God’s goodness being poured out in every aspect of life—spiritual, emotional, physical, and material.

Equally important is the second part of the verse: "and keep you." This speaks of Adonai’s divine protection. The Hebrew word for "keep" (שמר, shamar) carries the meaning of guarding, watching over, and preserving. Adonai promises to be our protector, surrounding us with His presence and watching over us like a shepherd does his flock. In this line, we see God’s fatherly heart: He desires to both bless us with abundance and guard us from harm.

"Adonai make His face shine on you and be gracious to you" (Numbers 6:25)

The second line of the blessing is a beautiful image of Adonai’s favor and grace. To have Adonai’s face "shine on you" is to experience His favor and love. In Scripture, the "face of God" is often associated with His presence. When His face shines upon us, it means that His presence is with us, offering light, warmth, and guidance.

The phrase "be gracious to you" reminds us of the unmerited favor we receive from Adonai. Grace, or in Hebrew, chen (חֵן), is a gift freely given, not something earned. This echoes the heart of the Besorah (Good News), where through Yeshua (Jesus), we receive Adonai’s grace and favor not because of our deeds, but because of His love for us.

In this line, we see Adonai’s deep desire to dwell with His people, to let them feel His presence and to shower them with grace. For Messianic believers, this is a powerful reminder that Yeshua is the ultimate expression of God’s grace, shining His light into our lives and offering us redemption.

"Adonai lift up His face toward you and give you shalom" (Numbers 6:26)

The final line of the blessing is perhaps the most intimate. The idea of Adonai lifting His face toward someone suggests a deep, personal connection. To have God "lift His face" toward you means that He is fully present with you, attentive to your prayers, your needs, and your heart. It’s a picture of closeness and relational intimacy, something we are invited into as sons and daughters of Adonai.

This closeness brings with it the ultimate blessing: shalom (שָׁלוֹם), peace. But shalom means much more than the absence of conflict. In Hebrew, shalom encompasses completeness, wholeness, well-being, health, prosperity, and harmony. It’s a peace that transcends our understanding and guards our hearts and minds in Messiah Yeshua, as Shaul HaShaliach (Paul the Apostle) teaches in Philippians 4:7.

The Priestly Blessing ends with this promise of shalom, reminding us that in Adonai’s presence, we are made whole, and His peace reigns over every part of our lives. This peace is available to us today, just as it was to the children of Yisra'el, and it is ultimately fulfilled in Yeshua, the Prince of Peace, who reconciles us to God.

"So they will put My name on the Israelites, and I will bless them" (Numbers 6:27)

The final verse of the passage, Bemidbar 6:27, provides the ultimate assurance: through this blessing, Adonai places His name upon His people. To carry the name of Adonai is to carry His identity, authority, and protection. It is a declaration that we belong to Him. The promise here is clear: when Adonai’s name rests upon us, His blessing is certain.

For believers in Yeshua, this promise is incredibly significant. We have been sealed with the name of God through our faith in the Messiah, and His blessing rests on us through the indwelling of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit). As we live in that blessing, we can be assured that Adonai’s presence, protection, and peace are with us, both now and forever.

The Priestly Blessing in Today’s World

Even today, the Priestly Blessing holds a central place in Jewish and Messianic worship. In synagogues around the world, the descendants of Aharon (the Kohanim) still raise their hands and pronounce this ancient blessing over the congregation during holy days and special services. In many Messianic congregations, this blessing is spoken over the people at the close of worship services, reminding us of Adonai’s continual care and favor.

For us as believers, the Priestly Blessing is more than just a prayer. It is a powerful reminder of who Adonai is—our Protector, our Gracious Lord, and the Giver of Peace—and who we are as His people. In a world full of chaos and uncertainty, this blessing brings us back to the truth that Adonai is for us, He is with us, and He is working for our good.

A Call to Receive Adonai’s Blessing

As you reflect on the words of the Priestly Blessing, I encourage you to make them personal. Allow this ancient prayer to wash over your heart and bring you into a deeper awareness of Adonai’s presence in your life. Let His blessing rest upon you, knowing that He is your protector, your provider, and your peace.

Whether you are familiar with this blessing or hearing it for the first time, I invite you to take a moment to receive it:

"Adonai bless you and keep you;
Adonai make His face shine on you and be gracious to you;
Adonai lift up His face toward you and give you shalom."
Amen.

May you carry this blessing with you in all that you do, trusting in the eternal faithfulness of Adonai who has placed His name upon you. And may you experience His peace, favor, and presence more deeply each day, as you walk in the light of His love.

Listen to the Aaronic Benediction on the album: ADONAI

Narrators: Baruch Maoz (Hebrew) and David Davis (English).

This arrangement: ©1998 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music/ASCAP & Galilee Of The Nations Music, USA (adm. by Integrity’s Hosanna! Music)/ASCAP