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From: Numbers 6:22-27

Blessing by Priests

[22] The LORD said to Moses, [23] “Say to Aaron and his sons, Thus you shall
bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them,
[24] The LORD bless you and keep you:
[25] The LORD make his face to shine
upon you, and be gracious to you:
[26] The LORD lift up his countenance
upon you, and give you peace.
[27] “So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.”

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Commentary:

6:23-27. This is one of the earliest blessing formulae that the Bible has con-
served for us. It is referred to in some psalms (cf. Ps 31:17; 67:2; etc.) and it was
used by priests in the temple liturgy. It consists of three petitions, each beginning
with the name of the Lord. Some ancient authors saw in this triple invocation an
advance announcement of the Blessed Trinity. It goes on to pray for protection,
grace and peace—three gifts which sum up man’s aspirations and which God
alone can provide in all their fullness.

The Church carries on the tradition of blessing the faithful during liturgical cere-
monies, especially at the end of the eucharistic celebration, beseeching God to
show them his favor. The Roman Missal includes this text as one of the optional
blessings the priest can use at the end of Mass.

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Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.

Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.