Benedictions in the Bible -- The Aaronic Blessing

The Lord Bless You and Keep You - The Aaronic Benediction - Numbers 6:24-26 - Peaceful Sunrise (Nag's Head, North Carolina, USA) - Picture by Whitney V. Myers This article describes 1) What is a benediction?, and 2) The Aaronic Blessing in Numbers 6:24-26. Bible verse quotations below are taken from the English Standard Version (ESV) unless noted otherwise (Ref. 1). Consider. In your own words, how would you define or explain what is a benediction? 1. What is a benediction? A "benediction" is a declaration of God's blessing, often used to close a worship service. The word "benediction" means to speak well of (Ref. 2). A benediction is a declaration -- a blessing -- from God to us, not a prayer request from us to God (Ref. 3). A benediction is authorized by God and usually is spoken by a pastor or priest at the end of a worship service or congregational gathering. In Scripture, we also see examples of written benedictions at the conclusion of Paul's epistles (1 Thessalonians 5:28). A benediction imparts the reality of God's protection, presence, grace, and peace to believers as we go to serve God in the world (Genesis 28:15, Matthew 28:19-20, 2 Corinthians 13:14, Revelation 22:21 AM...