May the LORD bless you
This phrase is part of the Aaronic blessing, a priestly benediction given by God to Moses for Aaron and his sons to bless the Israelites. The invocation of "the LORD" refers to Yahweh, the covenantal name of God, emphasizing His personal relationship with Israel. The concept of blessing in the Old Testament often includes prosperity, health, and success, but it primarily signifies God's favor and presence. This blessing is a reminder of God's promise to Abraham to bless his descendants (Genesis 12:2-3). It also foreshadows the ultimate blessing through Jesus Christ, who brings spiritual blessings to all nations (Ephesians 1:3).

and keep you;
The term "keep" suggests protection and preservation. In the ancient Near Eastern context, this would imply safeguarding from physical harm, enemies, and spiritual dangers. God's keeping is a theme throughout Scripture, as seen in Psalm 121:7-8, where God is described as the keeper of Israel, watching over their coming and going. This protection is not just physical but also spiritual, as God preserves the faith and integrity of His people. In the New Testament, Jesus prays for His followers' protection in John 17:11, emphasizing God's ongoing care and security for believers.

1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal presence and faithfulness to His people.

2. Aaron and His Sons
The priests who were instructed to bless the Israelites with this benediction, serving as mediators between God and the people.

3. The Israelites
The recipients of the blessing, representing God's chosen people in the Old Testament.

4. The Tabernacle
The place where the Israelites worshiped and where the priestly blessing was often pronounced.

5. The Priestly Blessing
A divinely ordained blessing given to the priests to pronounce over the people, signifying God's favor and protection.Understanding God's Blessing
God's blessing is an expression of His grace and favor, not based on human merit but on His sovereign choice and love.

The Role of the Priests
The priests served as intermediaries, highlighting the importance of spiritual leadership and the responsibility to convey God's truth and blessings to others.

God's Protection and Preservation
The phrase "keep you" emphasizes God's active role in guarding and preserving His people, providing assurance and security in His care.

The Continuity of God's Promises
The blessing reflects God's unchanging nature and His faithfulness to His promises, encouraging believers to trust in His eternal covenant.

Living as Recipients of Blessing
As recipients of God's blessing, believers are called to live in gratitude, reflecting His love and grace to others in their daily lives.Verses 24-26. - The Lord,... the Lord,... the Lord. Are we to see in this threefold use of the Divine name a shadowing forth of the Holy Trinity? It is obvious that it cannot be proved, and that it would not even have suggested any such idea to the priest who gave, or to the people who received, the benediction. To them the threefold form merely added beauty and fullness to the blessing (cf. Ecclesiastes 4:12). But that is not the question. The real question is whether the Old Testament was written for our sakes (1 Corinthians 9:10; 1 Corinthians 10:11; 2 Timothy 3:15, 16), and whether the God of the Jews was indeed the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (John 5:17; John 8:54). If so, it is not possible for us to avoid seeing in this benediction a declaration of the threefold Being of God, and it is not possible to avoid believing that he meant us to see such a declaration, veiled indeed from the eyes of the Jew, but clear enough to the Christian. For a somewhat similar case compare Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8.

Parallel Commentaries ...


‘May the LORD
יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

bless you
יְבָרֶכְךָ֥ (yə·ḇā·reḵ·ḵā)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1288: To kneel, to bless God, man, to curse

and keep you;
וְיִשְׁמְרֶֽךָ׃ (wə·yiš·mə·re·ḵā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular | second person masculine singular
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to


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OT Law: Numbers 6:24 Yahweh bless you and keep you (Nu Num.)