Numbers 6:22

THE AARONIC BLESSING

"And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel: ye shall say unto them:

Jehovah bless thee, and keep thee:

Jehovah make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee;

Jehovah lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

So shall they put my name upon the children of Israel;

and I will bless them."

One grows weary of the cavalier manner in which most of the modern commentators dismiss these words as having no suggestion whatever of the Holy Trinity, displaying by such denials, in our opinion, a rather profound lack of discernment. Not only the ancients, but many current scholars find here the most remarkable suggestions of that fuller revelation that comes to light in the N.T., setting forth the Three Persons of the Godhead. "Psalms 67 is evidently modeled on this benediction,"[15] as is also the case with the famous benediction recorded by Paul in 2 Corinthians 13:14. The Hebrew words that compose this blessing consist of only three lines, with three words in the first, five words in the second, and seven words in the third.[16]

When one compares this benediction with that of Paul, "It is impossible not to see shadowed forth the doctrine of the Holy Trinity; and the several sets of terms correspond fittingly to the office of the Three Persons in their gracious work for the redemption of men."[17] Keil also, after outlining the arguments of the fathers and earlier theologians, stated that, "There is truth in this,"[18] and it is likewise our conviction that there certainly is truth in it. The most important reason for this conviction is not the class of arguments usually cited, but the supreme fact that by this benediction "the name of God" was to be "placed upon,' the children of Israel. Now, in connection with this triple mention of Jehovah, take a glance at the baptismal formula in Matthew 28:18-20 where once more the triple names, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, are invoked in the baptismal ceremony itself, by which means the "name of God" is placed "upon" the children of God in the new age. That the triple name here is any different in essence from the triple name of Matthew's Commission is impossible to suppose. Add to that the sole appearance of these two triples in precisely the passages indicated. This seems to confirm, absolutely, their essential unity in meaning. "The name of God (which is the key consideration here) has a much wider significance than the English reader would give it ... His name is upon them that find in him their blessing."[19]

It is also of interest that the form of this blessing follows the very unusual and distinctive format of "Ugaritic texts in the period about 1400 B.C."[20] Thus, there is further evidence, compounded fantastically throughout the O.T., that the post-exilic priests had nothing whatever to do with the Pentateuch. Although this wonderful blessing is commonly called the "Aaronic Blessing," it is actually the blessing of the Lord, not that of the priests. Note the last line, " ... and I (Jehovah) will bless them." The word "Jehovah" is also no improvement here. "The Lord bless thee, and keep thee ..." is the way it should read; and it is no accident that this is the way it is sung by all believers all over the world to this day.

The climax of the blessing, "and give thee peace," is magnificent. "Peace as used here has a much wider meaning than is usually attached to the word; and it includes prosperity, good health, wholeness, and completeness in every way."[21]

We find agreement with Carson who understood why this blessing was attached to the sacred record at this particular point:

Its position here is especially appropriate, for it implies that God's blessing was available for all the people and was not confined to special classes like the Nazirites.[22]

Jewish tradition relates that this wonderful blessing was used regularly throughout Jewish history, being intoned following the daily sacrifices each day. It surely must be accounted one of the priceless treasures of the O.T.