Learn the Priestly Blessing in Hebrew "The LORD bless you and keep you..."

The Priestly Blessing found in Numbers 6:24-26, is one of the Bible's most revered and enduring passages. This ancient benediction, also known as the Priestly Blessing, invokes divine favor, protection, and peace. This comprehensive exploration delves into the rich tapestry of language, history, and theology surrounding this beloved text.

Our journey of exploration commences with the blessing itself, presented in its original Masoretic Hebrew, along with a transliteration and English translation. This unique approach allows us to delve into the blessing's poetic structure and profound meaning, both in its original form and in its contemporary understanding, sparking a sense of intrigue and engagement. 

From there, we embark on a fascinating exploration of Biblical scholarship, examining:

1. The Hebrew name of the Book of Numbers (Bemidbar) and its significance 

2. The origin of the English name "Numbers" and its connection to the Septuagint

3. The complexities of the divine name and its various translations

4. The intricacies of Hebrew writing, including its unique right-to-left script and consonantal system

5. The crucial contributions of the Masoretes in preserving and clarifying the Hebrew text

This introduction to the Priestly Blessing offers a linguistic analysis and a window into the rich cultural and historical context that has shaped our understanding of this timeless benediction. Whether you're a student, a person of faith, or simply curious about ancient texts, this exploration will deepen your appreciation of this revered passage and its enduring impact on religious tradition.

Masoretic Hebrew:

Transliteration:

Yevarechecha Adonai veyishmerecha

Ya'er Adonai panav elecha vichuneka

Yisa Adonai panav elecha veyasem lecha shalom

Transliteration converts Hebrew words into the Latin alphabet, allowing non-Hebrew speakers to approximate the pronunciation of Hebrew words. This conversion is necessary because Hebrew uses a different writing system with its own alphabet.

Key points about Hebrew transliteration:

1. It represents Hebrew sounds using familiar Latin letters.

2. The beauty of Hebrew transliteration lies in its adaptability. There are several transliteration systems, each with its own approach, but most aim to be phonetic, ensuring that the sounds of Hebrew are accurately represented in a familiar way.

3. Some Hebrew sounds don't have exact English equivalents, so conventions are used. For example, the letter "ח" (chet) is often transliterated as "ch" or "eh."

4. In the world of Hebrew transliteration, every detail matters. Vowels, often not written in pre-Masoretic Hebrew, are included in transliteration. This inclusion is crucial as it provides a more comprehensive understanding of Hebrew pronunciation, enriching the learning experience.

5. Stress marks, which are small lines placed above a vowel, may be added to indicate emphasized syllables. For example, in the transliteration of the Hebrew word 'מַטְרִיה' (mat-ri-ah), the stress mark is placed above the 'a' to indicate that this syllable is emphasized.

6. Names and common terms may have standardized English spellings that differ from strict transliteration. 'Strict transliteration' refers to a method that aims to represent the sounds of Hebrew words as accurately as possible in English, while 'standardized English spellings' are commonly used English versions of Hebrew words that may not reflect the exact pronunciation in Hebrew.

7. Academic transliteration may use additional symbols to represent Hebrew phonemes precisely.

Hebrew transliteration is not just a linguistic tool, but a gateway to a broader audience engaging with Hebrew texts and pronunciations. It allows individuals, even those without knowledge of the Hebrew alphabet, to explore the rich cultural and historical heritage embedded in Hebrew literature and language.

English translation:

May the LORD bless you and keep you

May the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you

May the LORD lift up His face toward you and give you peace

This blessing is found in Numbers 6:24-26. It is known as the Priestly Blessing or the Benediction.

The Hebrew name for the Book of Numbers is מִדְבַּר (midbar), “wilderness.” It is transliterated as miḏbār, and pronounced mid-bawr'. The bet character בְּ which proceeds it is translated as “in.” בְּמִדְבַּר is phonetically pronounced "be’ mid-bawr'." This name literally means "in the wilderness." It is taken from the fifth word in the Book's first verse in Hebrew as illustrated above, describing the setting where the Biblical account takes place. In Jewish tradition, the Books of the Torah, the five books of Moses, and the first five Books of the Old Testament are known by their Hebrew names. The Books are known in English by their Greek-derived names, such as numbers in Christian Bibles.

The English Bible Book name "Numbers" comes from the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate translations, which named the Book based on the census counts of the Israelites that appear in Chapters 1 and 26. Septuagint means "seventy" in Latin, referring to the traditional story that 70 (or 72) Jewish scholars translated. The Septuagint was written around 285-247 BCE, during the reign of Ptolemy II in Alexandria, Egypt, for the Jews in Alexandria, who had become more fluent in Greek than Hebrew.

Jehovah = "the existing One"

Jehovah is the proper name of the one true God. It is transliterated as Yᵊhōvâ, and phonetically pronounced yeh-ho-vaw’. In Jewish tradition it is translated as Adonai instead of Jehovah due to their respect for the holiness of God.

The original Hebrew Bible Westminster Leningrad Codex (WLC) version is available online at: https://www.blueletterbible.org/wlc/num/6/24-26/s_123024. The embedded video above will help you perfect your pronunciation of the Priestly Blessing.

The Hebrew language is written from the right side to the left, from the top down to the bottom. The Hebrew writing system primarily relies on consonants. In ancient Hebrew, only consonants were written, and readers were expected to supply the appropriate vowels based on context and knowledge.

The Masoretes devised a system of vowel notation known as niqqud. This system, using dots and dashes strategically placed above, below, or inside consonant letters to indicate vowel sounds, marked a pivotal moment in the history of the Hebrew language.

The Masoretic system, in addition to introducing niqqud, also brought about the use of cantillation marks for ritual chanting and punctuation. These marks are particularly useful in modern Hebrew, where niqqud is typically omitted in everyday writing. However, it remains a vital tool for poetry, children's literature, and religious texts, underscoring its practicality and relevance in contemporary times.

Sefer character: In the Hebrew Book of Bemidbar (Numbers), including Chapter 6, each verse is typically followed by a character that looks like a colon (:). This mark is called a sof pasuk (סוֹף פָּסוּק), which literally means "end of verse." It is not a letter but a cantillation mark used to indicate the end of a verse in the Hebrew Bible.

In Masoretic Hebrew the end of a verse appears as , with the sefer mark and the : cantillation mark.

Conclusion

The Priestly Blessing found in Numbers 6:24-26 is a powerful and enduring passage in both Jewish and Christian traditions. Its poetic structure and profound meaning have made it a cornerstone of religious blessings for millennia. The blessing beautifully encapsulates the desire for divine protection, grace, and peace. This journey through linguistics, history, and theology demonstrates the rich layers of meaning and tradition embedded in Biblical texts. It highlights the importance of understanding not just the words themselves, but also their cultural and historical context, as well as the intricacies of translation and interpretation. The Priestly Blessing continues to resonate with people of faith today, offering a timeless invocation of divine favor and peace. Its lasting impact is a testament to the enduring power of ancient wisdom and the universal human desire for blessing and protection.