Junior Rasmussen
The Aaronic Blessing is a benediction from the ancient Israelite cult, found in Numbers 6:22-27. It is a blessing that Aaron and his sons were to speak over the people of Israel. The blessing is as follows: The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. The blessing is commonly used in Judaism and is also used in Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran liturgy. It is also spoken at weddings, as a way to bless the newlyweds in their life together.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| The type of blessing | The Aaronic Blessing is a benediction, a prayer for protection, and a reminder of what Christ has done. |
| Who can give the blessing | Only Aaronite priests can invoke this blessing. |
| Who can receive the blessing | The Aaronic Blessing is for the Israelites, God's chosen people. |
| When to give the blessing | The Aaronic Blessing is given at the end of a religious ritual. |
| How to give the blessing | The blessing is given by speaking the words found in Numbers 6:23-27. |
| The blessing's structure | The blessing is made up of three lines, each with two clauses and two verbs. The lines follow a sequence of odd numbers, with 3, 5, and 7 words, respectively. |
| The blessing's meaning | The blessing is a request for God's protection, prosperity, fertility, and success for the Israelites. |
| The blessing's application | The Aaronic Blessing is used in Christian services, especially in more liturgical traditions such as Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran churches. It is also used in Jewish traditions and is known as the Priestly Blessing or Benediction. |
What You'll Learn
The Aaronic Blessing's origin and meaning
The Aaronic Blessing is a blessing that Aaron and his sons were to speak over the people of Israel. It is recorded in Numbers 6:23–27:
> The Lord said to Moses, 'Tell Aaron and his sons, "This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: 'The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.' So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them."'
The Aaronic Blessing is also referred to as the Priestly Benediction (birkat kohanim), the Dukhanen, or the "raising of the hands". It is commonly used in Judaism and in Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran liturgy. It is also spoken over the congregation in less liturgical services of many Protestant congregations.
The Aaronic Blessing is structurally beautiful and rich in meaning. The blessing forms a crescendo, with the first line containing three words, the second line five, and the final line seven. The blessing reaches its climax at "shalom" (peace). The emphasis of the blessing is upon God, with the name of the Lord being invoked three times. One mention of God's name would have been sufficient, but the repetition centres the blessing upon the character of God as the source of all goodness in life.
The Aaronic Blessing is a reminder of the promise of God's favour and protection. It is also a prayer for a fuller understanding of God's blessings.
Hear the Mellow Wedding Bells": A Guide to Understanding This Ancient Traditio
You may want to see also
The blessing's structure and literary merit
The Aaronic Blessing is a three-line blessing with a clear and intentional structure. The first line has three words, the second line has five, and the final line has seven, creating a crescendo that reaches its climax at "shalom" (peace). The blessing is also comprised of six related actions, with two verbs per line, and the number of syllables in the original Hebrew follows a sequence of odd numbers: 15, 20, and 25.
The blessing is centred around God, with three mentions of "the Lord" at the beginning of each line. This repetition is not necessary grammatically but serves to emphasise that God is the source of all goodness in life. The threefold mention of "the Lord" also has significance in the Holy Trinity, representing the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The blessing is a performative act, producing a divine blessing through its very utterance. It is a prayer, but it is also God's word, to be spoken by priests over the people of Israel. The blessing is a reminder of God's promise to his people and his desire to bring them happiness and keep them secure.
The Aaronic Blessing is structurally beautiful and rich in meaning. It is a powerful expression of God's favour and protection, with a literary structure that adds to its impact and significance.
Your Wedding, Your Day Off: Can It Be Revoked?
You may want to see also
The role of the priests
The Aaronic Blessing is a blessing that Aaron and his sons were to speak over the people of Israel. The blessing is as follows:
> "The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace."
The blessing is also referred to as the Priestly Benediction, the Dukhanen, or the "raising of the hands." It is commonly used today in Judaism and is also used in Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran liturgy.
In the context of a wedding, the Aaronic Blessing can be used by an officiant or clergy member to bless the newlyweds and wish them love, prosperity, and a long and happy life together. The blessing can be incorporated into the wedding ceremony or reception as a way to invoke God's favour and protection over the couple's new life together.
A Grand Indian Wedding: 1 Crore Budget Dream?
You may want to see also
The blessing's use in modern weddings
The Aaronic Blessing, found in Numbers 6:22–27, is a popular choice for modern weddings. This biblical blessing is said to be a prayer for protection and a reminder of God's favour, grace, and peace. It is a beautiful and powerful way to bestow love, grace, and encouragement upon the newlyweds.
The Aaronic Blessing is not just a general blessing but a specific protection from the Lord, asking Him to "keep" the couple, guarding and watching over them. This request for protection takes on a deeper meaning in the context of a wedding, as the couple embarks on a new journey together, facing life's challenges and joys as a united front.
The blessing also emphasises God's role as the source of all goodness, including peace, prosperity, and happiness. This reminder that "every good gift comes from God above" is a powerful way to start a marriage, acknowledging that their love and union are blessed and guided by a higher power.
Additionally, the Aaronic Blessing is often used in modern weddings due to its structural beauty and rich symbolism. The blessing forms a crescendo, with each line increasing in length, creating a sense of rising emotion. The repetition of "The Lord" three times, instead of just once, adds emphasis and centres the blessing on the character of God.
The Aaronic Blessing is also known as the Priestly Blessing or Benediction and is commonly used in both Jewish and Christian wedding traditions. In Judaism, it is often recited during the wedding ceremony, with the human instrument conveying the blessing raising their hands vertically towards heaven, symbolising that the blessing comes from God and not the priest.
In Christian weddings, the Aaronic Blessing may be recited by an officiant, such as a pastor or priest, or by a close relative or friend of the couple. It is a meaningful way to incorporate religious tradition into the celebration, wishing the couple love, joy, peace, and God's favour as they begin their married life together.
Overall, the Aaronic Blessing is a powerful and meaningful choice for modern weddings, offering spiritual protection, emphasising God's role as the source of all goodness, and symbolising the beauty and depth of the couple's commitment to each other and their faith.
How to Create a Wedding Registry with Help
You may want to see also
The blessing's use in other religions
The Aaronic blessing is a Jewish tradition, but blessings are also a part of wedding ceremonies in other religions. Here are some examples of wedding blessings from different religions:
Christian Blessings
"May your marriage always bring glory to God, joy to one another and blessings to your family for many generations to come. May love and laughter fill your hearts and your home for all the days of your lives. May you face every challenge hand-in-hand and side-by-side knowing that with God’s grace, you’ll conquer all obstacles together. May the world be forever a better place because the two of you fell in love. In Jesus’ name, Amen." -Dave Willis
Catholic Blessings
"Eternal One, make me an instrument of your peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; when there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood, as to understand, to be loved as to love; for it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life." - Prayer of St. Francis
Hindu Blessings
"To the Holy Son of Shiva and Parvati, To the remover of all obstacles, Lord Ganesha, We Petition for Blessings, To sanctify this ceremony of marriage, And to bless this marriage in all ways. Lord Ganesha. You are the speaker. You are the listener. You are the giver. You are the sustainer. Please protect us from all directions." - Lord Ganesha Hindu Wedding Blessing
Muslim Blessings
"In the name of God, the infinitely Compassionate and Merciful. Praise be to God, Sovereign of all the worlds. The Compassionate, the Merciful. Ruler on the Day of Reckoning. You alone do we worship, and You alone do we ask for help. Guide us on the straight path, the path of those who have received your grace; not the path of those who have brought down wrath, nor of those who wander astray. Amen." - Wedding Prayer from Al-Fatiha, the Holy Qur'an
Buddhist Blessings
"Do not deceive, do not despise each other anywhere. Do not be angry nor bear secret resentments; for as a mother will risk her life and watches over her child, so boundless be your love to all, so tender, kind and mild. Cherish goodwill right and left, early and late, and without hindrance, without stint, be free of hate and envy, while standing and walking and sitting down, whatever you have in mind, the rule of life that is always best is to be loving-kind." - The Buddhist Scriptures, The Buddha’s Sermon at Rajagaha, Verses 19-22
Nonreligious Blessings
"These are the hands of your partner, young and strong and full of love, holding your hands as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever. These are the hands that will work alongside yours as together you build your future. These are the hands that will hold you and comfort you in grief and uncertainty." - Blessings of the Hand, by Unknown
Pregnant Wedding Guests: What to Consider
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Aaronic Blessing is a blessing that Aaron and his sons were to speak over the people of Israel, as recorded in Numbers 6:23–27. It is also known as the Priestly Blessing, the Priestly Benediction (birkat kohanim), the Dukhanen, or the "raising of the hands."
The Aaronic Blessing is a request to God for the granting of prosperity, fertility, and success to the Israelites. It consists of three lines, each with two clauses and two verbs. The blessing emphasizes God as the source of all goodness and emphasizes the personal nature of the relationship between God and the Israelites.
Yes, the Aaronic Blessing can be used in wedding ceremonies. It is commonly used in Jewish, Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran liturgy and is also spoken over the congregation in less liturgical services of many Protestant congregations.
Other blessings that can be used in a wedding ceremony include the Song of Solomon 2:10-13, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, and various non-religious blessings such as "The Marriage" by Rumi, "That Still and Settled Place" by Edward Monkton, and blessings from different traditions like the Irish Wedding Blessing, the Celtic Wedding Blessing, and the Italian Blessing.
A blessing at a wedding is typically delivered by a close relative or mentor to the couple, such as the father of the bride, a grandparent, pastor, or close friend.
