📖 Biblical Definition
Berakah (בְּרָכָה) is the Hebrew word for blessing, and it runs in two directions. Blessing flows from God to humans: covenant favor, increase, fruitfulness, peace — "The LORD bless thee, and keep thee... and give thee peace" (Numbers 6:24-26, the great Aaronic berakah). And blessing flows from humans to God: acclaim and praise, the saints’ acknowledgment of God’s goodness — "Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name" (Psalm 103:1). The patriarchal blessings in Genesis transfer covenant favor down generations (Genesis 27, 48, 49). Christian fathers should learn to bless their wives and children deliberately — at table, at bedside, at marriage, at death. Berakah is masculine work.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Hebrew "blessing" — covenant favor, two-way (to and from God).
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The Hebrew word for blessing. Goes both directions: God blesses humans (covenant favor, increase, peace) and humans bless God (acknowledging His worth and giving thanks). The Aaronic blessing of Numbers 6:24-26 is the great priestly berakah pronounced over Israel; patriarchal blessings (Isaac to Jacob, Jacob to his sons) transfer covenant favor down generations.
📖 Key Scripture
Numbers 6:24-26 — "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."
Genesis 12:2-3 — "And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing... and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed."
Psalm 103:1-2 — "Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Reduced to material prosperity ("#blessed" hashtag culture) or to mild well-wishing ("have a blessed day"); the covenantal weight thinned.
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Social-media "blessed" usually means "successful" or "having a good day." Hebrew berakah is heavier: covenant favor that flows down generations, peace that surpasses understanding, peace pronounced authoritatively by the priest. Not a hashtag.
Recover the weight: pronouncing blessing is a priestly act. Receiving blessing is covenant inheritance. Both directions matter — bless the LORD, and be blessed by Him.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew berakah, barak.
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['Hebrew', 'H1293', 'berakah', 'blessing']
['Hebrew', 'H1288', 'barak', 'to bless, kneel']
Usage
"Berakah flows two directions: to and from God."
"Pronounce blessing; do not just wish it."
"Bless the LORD, O my soul."