Thy Word is a Lamp Unto My Feet Outreach

Numbers 6:24-26

This passage is known as the “Aaronic Blessing.” The following study was done by Jeff Benner. I think this analysis is interesting, so I am including it herewith. The text and format have not been altered from Mr. Benner’s presentation.
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THE VERSE
YHWH bless thee, and keep thee: YHWH make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: YHWH lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

THE STUDY
Bless. The Hebrew verb ברך (Barakh, Strong’s #1288) means to kneel as seen in Genesis 24:11. However […] in the Aaronic blessing, it means to show respect (usually translated as bless). However, as “respect” is an abstract word, we need to uncover its original concrete meaning, which we can do by examining other words related to this verb. One such related word is the noun ברך (berekh, Strong’s #1288) meaning “knee.” Another related Hebrew word is ברכה (berakhah, Strong’s #1293) meaning a gift or present. From this we can see the concrete meaning behind the form of the verb barakh. It is to bring a gift to another while kneeling out of respect. The extended meaning of this word is to do or give something of value to another. YHWH “respects” us by providing for our needs and we in turn “respect” YHWH by giving him of ourselves as his servants.

Keep. The Hebrews were a nomadic people raising livestock. It would not be uncommon for a shepherd to be out with his flock, away from the camp, over the night. In order to protect the flock, the shepherd would construct a corral of thorn bushes. The shepherd would then guard over the flock and the corral would be a hedge of protection around them. The Hebrew word for a thorn is שמיר (shamiyr, Strong’s #8068) and derived from the verb שמר (shamar, Strong’s #8104), which literally means to guard and protect and is the word used in the Aaronic blessing.

Face. The Hebrew word פנים (paniym, Strong’s #6440), means “face,” but is always written in the plural form (the ים suffix identifies this word as plural), reflecting this idea of multiple faces of each person. This word can also mean “presence” or the “wholeness of being” of an individual.

Shine. The word אור (or, Strong’s #215), as a noun means “light” and as a verb, as it is used here, means to “give light” or “shine” and is equated with bringing about order as light illuminates or reveals what has been dark.

Gracious. Most theologians will define “grace” as “unmerited favor,” but notice the abstractness of these words. The Hebrew verb translated as gracious in the Aaronic blessing is the verb חנן (hhanan, Strong’s #2603) and is often paralleled with other Hebrew words meaning healing, help, being lifted up, finding refuge, strength and rescue. From a concrete Hebraic perspective this verb means to “provide protection.” Where does one run to for protection? The camp, which in Hebrew is חנה (hanah, Strong’s #2583), a word related to חנן (hhanan).

Grants. The Hebrew verb שים (siym, Strong’s #7760), literally means to “set down in a fixed and arranged place.”

Peace. When we hear the word peace we usually associate this to mean an absence of war or strife. However, the Hebrew word שלום (shalom, Strong’s #7965) has a very different meaning. The root of this word is שלם (shalam, Strong’s #7999) and is usually used in the context of making restitution. When a person has caused another to become deficient in some way, such as a loss of livestock, it is the responsibility of the person who created the deficiency to restore what has been taken, lost or stolen. The verb shalam literally means to make whole or complete. The noun shalom has the more literal meaning of being in a state of wholeness, or being without deficiency.

TAKEAWAY THOUGHT
With the Hebraic understanding of each of these Hebrew words, we can better understand the true meaning of the Aaronic blessing as it was understood by the Ancient Hebrews: YHWH will kneel before you [1] presenting gifts and will guard you with a hedge of protection. YHWH will illuminate the wholeness of his being toward you bringing order and he will give you comfort and sustenance. YHWH will lift up his wholeness of being and look upon you and he will set in place all you need to be whole and complete.
[1] figuratively speaking; the common Hebrew way of expressing an abstract thought through concrete means.