Numbers 6:24-26 Explained

"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." — Numbers 6:24-26 (KJV)

The oldest blessing still in common use, and the oldest biblical text ever found — on silver amulets from the seventh century BC.

Read it in context: The Book of Numbers. Also gathered under verses about peace.

Numbers 6:24-26 in context

What does Numbers 6:24-26 mean?

Three lines, each with two clauses, growing longer in the Hebrew — three words, then five, then seven. The movement is from protection to relationship to peace. 'Face shine' and 'lift up his countenance' are both idioms for favourable attention, the opposite of a face turned away. And every verb has the LORD as subject: the priest is not doing the blessing, only saying who does.

What is the context of Numbers 6:24-26?

God gives Aaron the words to put on the people. It is one of the few places where Scripture prescribes exactly what a blessing should say, and the verse after it explains the mechanism: this is how the divine name is placed on Israel.

How do I pray Numbers 6:24-26?

Say it over someone else, out loud, by name — it is written in the second person singular and is meant to be spoken to a person rather than about them. Over a child at bedtime is the oldest use it still has. Do not adapt the pronouns to yourself; the form is a giving.

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