Read & explore together
The Priestly Blessing
Yahweh gives Moses a set blessing for Aaron and his sons to speak over Israel. The words are short and repeated, and each line centres on what Yahweh will do for his people.
Understanding the passage
Read these words in context
This passage records Yahweh speaking to Moses and telling him what Aaron and his sons must say when they bless the children of Israel. After the three lines of blessing, Yahweh explains that his name is put on Israel and that he will bless them.
Numbers 6:22–27Main takeaway
This passage presents a blessing Yahweh commanded for Israel, ending with Yahweh’s own promise to bless them.
Explore the poem and its images
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Yahweh gives the wordsThe blessing begins with Yahweh speaking to Moses. Moses is then to speak to Aaron and his sons.
Explanation
The blessing begins with Yahweh speaking to Moses. Moses is then to speak to Aaron and his sons. They are told, “This is how you shall bless the children of Israel”, so the words that follow are not invented by the priests but given by Yahweh.
02Bless and keepThe first line is direct and brief: “Yahweh bless you, and keep you.” The verse does not explain these words in detail, but it clearly makes Yahweh the one who blesses and keeps.
Explanation
The first line is direct and brief: “Yahweh bless you, and keep you.” The verse does not explain these words in detail, but it clearly makes Yahweh the one who blesses and keeps. The blessing looks to Yahweh for what his people need.
03Shine and be graciousThe second line says, “Yahweh make his face to shine on you, and be gracious to you.” In the wording of the blessing, Yahweh’s face is turned toward the people, and grace is asked from him.
Explanation
The second line says, “Yahweh make his face to shine on you, and be gracious to you.” In the wording of the blessing, Yahweh’s face is turned toward the people, and grace is asked from him. The line continues to focus attention on Yahweh’s action toward Israel.
04Lift up his face and give peaceThe final line asks Yahweh to “lift up his face toward you, and give you peace.” After this, Yahweh explains, “So they shall put my name on the children of Israel; and I will bless them.”
Explanation
The final line asks Yahweh to “lift up his face toward you, and give you peace.” After this, Yahweh explains, “So they shall put my name on the children of Israel; and I will bless them.” The spoken blessing is therefore closely tied to Yahweh’s name and Yahweh’s own blessing.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Who gives the blessing words, and who is told to speak them?
Follow the order in the passage from Yahweh, to Moses, to Aaron and his sons, and then to the children of Israel.
02What actions are asked of Yahweh in the three lines of blessing?
Read each line carefully and list the verbs used for Yahweh’s action toward the people.
03What does Yahweh say this blessing does, and what will he do?
Look at the explanation after the blessing for the phrases about Yahweh’s name and Yahweh’s promise.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Numbers 6:22–27
22Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
23“Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, ‘This is how you shall bless the children of Israel.’ You shall tell them,
24‘Yahweh bless you, and keep you.
25Yahweh make his face to shine on you, and be gracious to you.
26Yahweh lift up his face toward you, and give you peace.’
27“So they shall put my name on the children of Israel; and I will bless them.”