Numbers 6:23

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them,

Complete Jewish Bible:

"Speak to Aharon and his sons, and tell them that this is how you are to bless the people of Isra'el: you are to say to them,

Berean Standard Bible:

“Tell Aaron and his sons: This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:

American Standard Version:

Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel: ye shall say unto them,

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Speak^{H1696} unto Aaron^{H175} and unto his sons^{H1121}, saying^{H559}, On this wise^{H3541} ye shall bless^{H1288} the children^{H1121} of Israel^{H3478}, saying^{H559} unto them,

Cross-References (KJV):

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

BibleHub.com BibleRef.com

Commentary for Numbers 6:23

1. Themes of Numbers 6:23:
- The Priestly Blessing: The verse initiates the Priestly Blessing, a divine command for Aaron and his descendants to bless the Israelites.
- Divine Mandate: It emphasizes God's instruction to the priests on how to invoke His blessings upon the people.
- Sanctity of Ritual: The verse underscores the importance of the ritual words and actions in the worship of God.
- Unity and Identity: The command to bless the "children of Israel" reinforces the unity and collective identity of the Israelite community.

2. Historical Context:
- The book of Numbers is set during the Israelites' journey through the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt and before their entry into the Promised Land.
- This period is characterized by the establishment of the religious and social laws that would govern the Israelite nation.
- Aaron, the brother of Moses, was the first high priest of Israel, and his sons were also consecrated as priests.
- The Priestly Blessing was part of the formal worship in the Tabernacle, and later the Temple, and was a central element in the priestly duties.
- The blessing was a way to sanctify the people and to affirm God's protection and favor over them as they navigated the challenges of their journey and the formation of their national identity.

In summary, Numbers 6:23 introduces the Priestly Blessing, a sacred directive given to Aaron and his sons to bestow God's blessings upon the Israelites, reinforcing the themes of divine instruction, ritual sanctity, and communal unity within the historical context of the Israelites' formative wilderness experience.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H1696
   There are 1050 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָבַר
   Transliteration: dâbar
   Pronunciation: daw-bar'
   Description: a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue; answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work.
   
2. Strong's Number: H175
   There are 480 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אַהֲרוֹן
   Transliteration: ʼAhărôwn
   Pronunciation: a-har-one'
   Description: of uncertain derivation; Aharon, the brother of Moses; Aaron.
   
3. Strong's Number: H1121
   There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בֵּן
   Transliteration: bên
   Pronunciation: bane
   Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
   
4. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
5. Strong's Number: H3541
   There are 21 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כֹּה
   Transliteration: kôh
   Pronunciation: ko
   Description: from the prefix k and הוּא; properly, like this, i.e. by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now; also, here, + hitherto, like, on the other side, so (and much), such, on that manner, (on) this (manner, side, way, way and that way), + mean while, yonder.
   
6. Strong's Number: H1288
   There are 289 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בָרַךְ
   Transliteration: bârak
   Pronunciation: baw-rak'
   Description: a primitive root; to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (God or the king, as treason); [idiom] abundantly, [idiom] altogether, [idiom] at all, blaspheme, bless, congratulate, curse, [idiom] greatly, [idiom] indeed, kneel (down), praise, salute, [idiom] still, thank.
   
7. Strong's Number: H3478
   There are 2229 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יִשְׂרָאֵל
   Transliteration: Yisrâʼêl
   Pronunciation: yis-raw-ale'
   Description: from שָׂרָה and אֵל; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel.