📖 Biblical Definition
The Aaronic Blessing is the priestly blessing the LORD commanded Aaron and his sons to pronounce over Israel: 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 (Num 6:24-26). Three lines, three names of YHWH, three movements of blessing. The Christian church has used it as benediction for centuries.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
(Numbers 6:24-26.) The priestly blessing; three lines naming YHWH three times.
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The blessing's structure is precise: three lines, six clauses, fifteen Hebrew words, the Tetragrammaton three times. And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them (Num 6:27).
📖 Key Scripture
Numbers 6:24 — "The LORD bless thee, and keep thee."
Numbers 6:25 — "The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee."
Numbers 6:26 — "The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Christianity sometimes treats the blessing as Old Testament ceremony; its theological weight (three names, three movements) is rich, and the church has used it across centuries.
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The household's use: speak it over children at bedtime, over guests at departure, over the gathered church at the close of worship. Three lines; fifteen seconds; lifelong shaping.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew birkat kohanim; priestly blessing.
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Hebrew barak — to bless, to kneel.
Hebrew kohanim — priests.
Usage
"Three lines; fifteen seconds; lifelong shaping."
"Three names of YHWH; three movements of blessing."
"The household's benediction is built into the canon."