Blessing(bless, blessed)
“Blessing, from barakh meaning to kneel or invoke divine favor”
Summary
The pronouncement of divine favor or the conferral of good, whether from God to humanity, from persons in God's name, or returned to God in praise.
☩Divine Blessing
Blessing originates with God, who blessed the creatures He made, blessed the Sabbath day, and blessed humanity with fruitfulness and dominion. God's blessing on Abraham became the channel through which all nations would be blessed. The law promised blessing for obedience and cursing for disobedience, setting before Israel life and death. In Christ, God has blessed believers with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places.
☩Patriarchal Blessings
The blessing of a father upon his children, especially the deathbed blessing, carried great weight in patriarchal times. Isaac blessed Jacob (thinking him Esau), and the blessing once given could not be revoked. Jacob blessed his twelve sons with prophecies concerning each tribe's future. These blessings were not merely wishes but were believed to have effectual power through divine sanction.
☩The Priestly Blessing
God commanded Aaron and his sons to bless the people of Israel with a threefold formula invoking Yahweh's name: 'The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.' By putting God's name upon the people, the priests invoked His presence and favor.
☩Blessing God
The Hebrew word for blessing (barakh) is also used of human response to God—to 'bless the Lord' means to praise, thank, and adore Him. The Psalms repeatedly call upon all creation to bless the Lord. Since we cannot add to God's happiness or bestow good upon Him, blessing God means acknowledging His goodness and declaring His praise.
☩The Beatitudes
Jesus pronounced blessings (the 'Beatitudes') upon the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger for righteousness, the merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, and those persecuted for righteousness' sake. These blessings declare that the kingdom of heaven belongs to such, overturning worldly values and promising divine reward.
Related Verses760 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Blessing," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Blessing," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Blessing," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).