Numbers 6:25

KJV

The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:

KJV (with Strong's)

The LORD {H3068} make his face {H6440} shine {H215} upon thee, and be gracious {H2603} unto thee:

Complete Jewish Bible

Ya'er ADONAI panav eleikha vichunekka. [May ADONAI make his face shine on you and show you his favor.]

Berean Standard Bible

may the LORD cause His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;

American Standard Version

Jehovah make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 6:25, a pivotal line within the ancient Aaronic or Priestly Blessing, articulates God's profound desire to bestow His active favor and unmerited grace upon His covenant people. It is a divine declaration, not merely a wish, assuring the Israelites of Yahweh's benevolent presence, illuminating guidance, and compassionate provision, reflecting His inherent character as the source of all blessing and mercy.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 6:25 is the second line of the three-part Priestly Blessing, commanded by God to Moses for Aaron and his sons to pronounce over the Israelites (Numbers 6:22-27). This benediction immediately follows the detailed regulations concerning the Nazirite vow (Numbers 6:1-21). The Nazirite laws emphasize separation and dedication to God, often involving stringent requirements and sacrifices. The placement of the blessing directly after these demanding laws serves as a divine counterpoint and assurance: despite the human struggle for holiness and obedience, God's initiative to bless His people remains steadfast. It underscores that God's favor is not solely contingent on human perfection but is a sovereign act of His grace, providing comfort and divine affirmation to a people navigating their wilderness journey and striving for covenant faithfulness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the priests served as mediators between God and His people, and their pronouncements carried divine authority. The act of blessing was a significant spiritual function, believed to convey actual divine power and favor. The concept of a deity "making his face shine" was a common ancient Near Eastern metaphor for a king or god showing favor, approval, and benevolence, bringing prosperity and well-being. Conversely, a hidden or angry face signified displeasure or judgment. For the Israelites, wandering in the wilderness with the Tabernacle at their center, this blessing was a tangible sign of God's active presence and commitment to their well-being. It was a communal declaration, reinforcing their identity as God's chosen people and assuring them of His protective and gracious hand amidst their trials and challenges, symbolizing His constant illumination and guidance for their path, as seen in [Psalm 4:6](/psalm/4-6 "Psalm 4:6 - The Light of God's Countenance").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **"make his face shine" (Hebrew, _ya'er panav'_):** This phrase combines the verb יָאֵר (ya'er), from the root אוֹר ('or, "light, to shine"), with פָּנָיו (panav, "his face"). It is a powerful anthropomorphic metaphor. When God's "face shines," it signifies His active, joyful, and benevolent presence. It implies divine approval, favor, and a direct, unhindered gaze of blessing. Just as the sun's light brings warmth, clarity, and life, God's shining face illuminates the path, dispels darkness, and brings prosperity, peace, and spiritual flourishing. It suggests a personal, intimate engagement where God's countenance is turned towards His people with delight and favor, as reflected in [Psalm 80:3](/psalm/80-3 "Psalm 80:3 - Make Your Face Shine Upon Us").
* **"be gracious" (Hebrew, _v'yichuneka'_):** This word comes from the verb חָנַן (chanan), meaning "to show favor," "to be gracious," "to have mercy," or "to pity." It speaks to God's inherent character of compassion and unmerited favor. Unlike human grace, which can be fickle, God's grace is steadfast and flows from His very being. It implies that God will deal kindly and mercifully with His people, extending blessings and assistance not based on their merit or performance, but solely on His loving and benevolent disposition. This is the foundational concept of divine grace that permeates all of Scripture, highlighting God's willingness to give good things freely and without obligation, as emphasized in [Exodus 33:19](/exodus/33-19 "Exodus 33:19 - God's Gracious Character").

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The LORD make his face shine upon thee,"**: This clause expresses a prayer or declaration for God's active, personal, and benevolent presence to be directed towards the individual. The "shining face" is a vivid metaphor for divine favor, approval, and joy. It implies that God's gaze is upon the recipient with delight, bringing illumination, clarity, and prosperity into their life. It is an assurance of God's attentive care, dispelling fear and darkness with His light.
* **"and be gracious unto thee:"**: This second clause expands on the nature of God's benevolent engagement, specifically highlighting His grace. To "be gracious" means to bestow unmerited favor, kindness, and mercy. It signifies that God will act in compassion, providing help, blessings, and forgiveness not because the recipient has earned it, but purely out of His own good and loving character. This underscores the foundational truth that God's blessings are rooted in His free and undeserved favor, a cornerstone of His covenant relationship with humanity.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 6:25 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human characteristics to God, specifically His "face." This device makes an abstract concept of divine presence more relatable and intimate, allowing the hearer to visualize God's benevolent gaze. Coupled with this is **Metaphor**, as "make his face shine" is not literal but symbolizes God's active favor, joy, and illuminating presence, much like the sun's light brings life and clarity. The phrase also functions as a **Benediction**, a solemn declaration of blessing, which in this context is divinely commanded and therefore carries inherent power and efficacy. The parallel structure of the two clauses, "The LORD make his face shine upon thee" and "and be gracious unto thee," creates a sense of rhythmic balance and reinforces the dual aspects of God's benevolent character: His active presence and His unmerited favor.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 6:25 profoundly reveals God's character as inherently benevolent and gracious, actively desiring to bless His people. It underscores the theme of divine initiative in salvation and blessing, where God's favor is not earned but freely given. The "shining face" speaks to God's personal engagement and the illuminating power of His presence, which brings clarity, joy, and divine approval. The call for God to "be gracious" highlights the unmerited nature of His favor, a foundational theological concept that permeates the entire biblical narrative, culminating in the ultimate demonstration of grace in Christ. This verse serves as a timeless reminder that humanity's hope and well-being are rooted in God's compassionate disposition rather than human merit.

* [Psalm 31:16](/psalm/31-16 "Psalm 31:16 - Make Your Face Shine on Your Servant")
* [Psalm 67:1](/psalm/67-1 "Psalm 67:1 - God Be Gracious to Us and Bless Us")
* [Ephesians 2:8](/ephesians/2-8 "Ephesians 2:8 - Saved by Grace Through Faith")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 6:25 offers a profound source of comfort and assurance for believers today. It reminds us that God is not a distant, indifferent deity, but one who actively desires to turn His face towards us with favor and grace. In moments of uncertainty, fear, or spiritual darkness, this verse invites us to seek His illuminating presence, trusting that His light will guide our steps and His approval will bring peace. It challenges us to embrace the radical truth of God's unmerited favor, recognizing that our standing before Him is not based on our performance but on His boundless compassion. This understanding liberates us from striving for acceptance and empowers us to live in the freedom of His grace, knowing that He delights in blessing His children. It also calls us to reflect this divine benevolence in our own lives, extending grace and kindness to others as recipients of God's shining face and boundless favor.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of God's "face shining upon you" personally resonate with your understanding of His presence in your life?**
* **In what areas of your life do you most need to experience God's "gracious" favor, and how does this verse encourage you to seek it?**
* **Considering God's unmerited grace, how might this understanding transform your approach to daily challenges and relationships?**
* **How can you, as a recipient of God's shining face and grace, reflect His benevolence to those around you?**

### FAQ
**What does "The LORD make his face shine upon thee" truly mean for a believer today?**

Answer: For a believer today, this phrase signifies God's active, personal, and benevolent presence being directed towards them. It means that God looks upon you with favor, approval, and joy, much like a parent looking fondly at their beloved child. It implies His illuminating guidance, bringing clarity to your path, dispelling spiritual darkness, and assuring you of His divine protection and blessing. It is an assurance that God's countenance is turned towards you, not in anger or indifference, but with delight and a desire to bless and prosper you in every aspect of your life, as seen in [Psalm 4:6](/psalm/4-6 "Psalm 4:6 - The Light of Your Countenance").

**How does Numbers 6:25 relate to the concept of God's grace?**

Answer: Numbers 6:25 is a beautiful articulation of God's grace. The phrase "and be gracious unto thee" directly invokes the Hebrew concept of *chanan*, which is unmerited favor and compassion. It emphasizes that God's blessings and kindness are not earned by human merit or performance, but flow solely from His inherent character of love and benevolence. This verse highlights that God's desire to bless and show favor is an act of His free, sovereign goodness, laying a foundational understanding for the broader biblical narrative of grace, which finds its ultimate expression in the New Testament through Jesus Christ, as articulated in [Titus 2:11](/titus/2-11 "Titus 2:11 - The Grace of God Has Appeared").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 6:25, with its prayer for God's face to shine and for Him to be gracious, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament, God's "shining face" was often mediated through the Tabernacle and the priestly blessing, a veiled revelation of His glory. However, in Christ, the very "light of the knowledge of the glory of God" shines forth directly "in the face of Jesus Christ" ([2 Corinthians 4:6](/2_corinthians/4-6 "2 Corinthians 4:6 - The Light of the Gospel")). He is the full embodiment of God's favor and the ultimate expression of divine grace, for "the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ" ([John 1:17](/john/1-17 "John 1:17 - Grace and Truth Through Jesus Christ")). Through His incarnation, sacrificial death, and resurrection, Jesus became the means by which God's unmerited favor is poured out upon humanity, granting access to God's very presence and securing eternal blessing. He is the High Priest who continually intercedes for us, ensuring that God's face is always turned towards us in favor and that His boundless grace is our constant reality, allowing us to "draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace")). Thus, the ancient priestly blessing points forward to the person and work of Christ, through whom God's shining face and abundant grace are fully and eternally revealed to all who believe.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 80:19

Turn us again, O LORD God of hosts, cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.

Psalms 119:135

¶ Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.

Psalms 31:16

Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies' sake.

Psalms 67:1

¶ To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm [or] Song. God be merciful unto us, and bless us; [and] cause his face to shine upon us; Selah.

Daniel 9:17

Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake.

Exodus 33:19

And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.

Psalms 80:7

Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.