Numbers 6:25 - Exposition

The Lord make his face shine upon thee. The "face" of God is his personality as turned towards man, or else turned away from him. His face hidden or turned away is despair and death ( Deuteronomy 31:17 , Deuteronomy 31:18 ; Job 13:24 ); his face turned against man is destruction and death (Le Numbers 17:10 ; Psalms 34:16 ); his face turned upon man in love and mercy is life and salvation ( Psalms 27:1 ; Psalms 44:3 ). It is to the soul of man what the blessed sun of heaven is to his body. And be gracious unto thee. ‘ ἐλεήσαι σε , Septuagint. Be kind and beneficent to thee: the effect in and on the soul of the clear shining upon it of the face of God.