Numbers 6:24-26 Text
King James Version (KJV)
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.
World English Bible (WEB)
‘Yahweh bless you, and keep you. Yahweh make his face to shine on you, and be gracious to you. Yahweh lift up his face toward you, and give you peace.’
What Numbers 6:24-26 Means
These three lines are known as the Aaronic or priestly blessing. Each line has two parts, and they build in a pattern of increasing intensity. First, bless and keep: God provides good things and guards his people. Second, make his face shine and be gracious: the shining face is an old image of favor, like a smiling parent, and grace means kindness that is not earned. Third, lift up his countenance and give peace: God turns his attention toward the person, and the result is shalom, which means wholeness and wellbeing, not only calm. In the Hebrew, the divine name Yahweh begins each line, and it appears in the KJV as LORD in capitals. The blessing is not a magic charm. It is a request placed in God's hands, and the following verse says it puts God's name on the people.
Context of Numbers 6:24-26
The book of Numbers is traditionally attributed to Moses and describes Israel's journey from Mount Sinai toward the promised land, probably in the second millennium BC. In chapter 6, after laws about the Nazirite vow, God tells Moses to instruct Aaron and his sons, the priests, to bless the people with these words. The following verse says that in doing so they will put God's name on the Israelites. To read the whole book, see random verse from Numbers.
How to Apply Numbers 6:24-26
You might use these words as a blessing for someone you love, perhaps spoken at bedtime or before a trip. Even if you have never blessed anyone aloud, it can be simple: say it slowly, name the person, and mean it. Receiving it is also fine; read it quietly over your own day.
Related Verses
- Psalm 67:1 – God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah.
- 2 Corinthians 13:14 – The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
- Psalm 121:7-8 – The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
- Genesis 12:2 – 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:
Looking for more verses on this theme? Browse Bible Verses About Peace, each with a short note on its context.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the priestly blessing in Numbers 6:24-26 mean?
It asks God to protect his people, show them favor and give them peace. Each of the three lines expands on the one before. The blessing was spoken by priests on God's behalf, and the next verse says it places God's name on the people, marking them as his own.
Can anyone use the blessing from Numbers 6?
Yes. Although it was first given to Aaron and his sons as priests, Jews and Christians have long used it more widely, in worship services and in families. Most traditions treat it as an appropriate way to ask God's favor on others, so you can pray it for your family or friends.
← Zephaniah 3:17Exodus 14:14 →
Want a different verse? Try the Bible verse randomizer or browse all popular Bible verses.