FROM THE HEBREW · NUMBERS 6:24–26
The Priestly Blessing in Hebrew: Numbers 6:24–26 word by word
Three lines, fifteen Hebrew words, and one of the oldest blessings still spoken today. Here is what each phrase says in the original.
Key Hebrew words
The setting
In Numbers 6, God tells Moses to instruct Aaron and his sons, the priests (kohanim): “On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel.” The blessing that follows is called Birkat Kohanim, the Priestly Blessing. It is still recited by kohanim in synagogues, and many parents say it over their children. Two small silver scrolls found at Ketef Hinnom in Jerusalem, dated to around the 7th–6th century BCE, carry a version of it, making it among the oldest biblical texts ever found.
A blessing that grows
In Hebrew the three lines have three, five and seven words. Each line also contains the divine Name, יְהוָה. And every “you” is singular: the blessing is spoken to a whole people, but addressed to each person.
Line 1: bless and keep
Rashi reads it concretely: “may your possessions be blessed,” and “keep you,” so that no robbers come to take them. Then he explains why both are needed: a human king who gives a gift to his servant cannot guard it from everyone. “But the Holy One, blessed be He, is the giver and the guardian.” Ibn Ezra: blessing means added life and wealth; keeping means guarding what was added.
Line 2: a shining face
“The LORD make His face to shine upon thee.” Rashi: יַרְאֶה לְךָ פָּנִים שׂוֹחֲקוֹת, “may He show you a smiling face.” Vichuneka, “and be gracious unto thee,” he explains as “may He give you chen,” grace, favor in the eyes of others. Ibn Ezra compares Proverbs 16:15: “In the light of the king’s countenance is life.” When you seek Him, He receives you and wants to fulfill your request.
Line 3: a lifted face, and peace
“The LORD lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.” To lift the face toward someone is to look at them with favor. Rashi reads it as יִכְבֹּשׁ כַּעֲסוֹ, “may He suppress His anger.” Ibn Ezra says it is the opposite of God hiding His eyes: wherever you turn, His face will be lifted toward you. And shalom: that no harm touches you, from stone, wild animal or enemy.
Who gives the blessing?
The priests speak the words, but the text is careful about who blesses. The kohanim say “May the LORD bless you,” and verse 27 closes: “I will bless them.” The priests are the voice; the blessing itself comes from God. That is one reason the blessing has been used so widely, by priests in the synagogue, by parents over children, and by many readers simply as a prayer for someone they love.
So what does it mean today?
Read in Hebrew, the Priestly Blessing moves from what you have, to how you are seen, to peace. First your goods are blessed and guarded. Then a face shines on you, smiling. Then that face turns toward you wherever you go, and gives you shalom, wholeness. The next verse explains what happens when it is spoken: “So shall they put My name upon the children of Israel, and I will bless them.”
Frequently asked questions
What is the priestly blessing in Hebrew?
It is Numbers 6:24-26: יְבָרֶכְךָ יְהוָה וְיִשְׁמְרֶךָ, יָאֵר יְהוָה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וִיחֻנֶּךָּ, יִשָּׂא יְהוָה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וְיָשֵׂם לְךָ שָׁלוֹם. It is called Birkat Kohanim.
What does “make His face shine upon you” mean?
Rashi explains it as “may He show you a smiling face.” Ibn Ezra compares Proverbs 16:15: in the light of the king’s face is life.
What does “lift up His countenance” mean?
To lift one’s face toward someone is to look on them with favor. Rashi reads it as “may He suppress His anger”; Ibn Ezra, that wherever you turn, His face is turned toward you.
Is the priestly blessing still used today?
Yes. Kohanim recite it in synagogue services, and many families say it over their children, especially on Friday night.
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Sources: Hebrew text from the Masoretic text; English from The Holy Scriptures according to the Masoretic Text (Jewish Publication Society, 1917, public domain). Commentaries (Rashi, Ibn Ezra, Radak, Metzudat David, Metzudat Zion, Malbim and others) quoted from their Hebrew originals, in our own translation. Lexical notes from Brown-Driver-Briggs and Strong’s.