Numbers 6:26

KJV

The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

KJV (with Strong's)

The LORD {H3068} lift up {H5375} his countenance {H6440} upon thee, and give {H7760} thee peace {H7965}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yissa ADONAI panav eleikha v'yasem l'kha shalom. [May ADONAI lift up his face toward you and give you peace.]'

Berean Standard Bible

may the LORD lift up His countenance toward you and give you peace.’

American Standard Version

Jehovah lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 6:26 culminates the profound Priestly Blessing, also known as the Aaronic Blessing, delivered by God through Moses to Aaron and his sons, to be pronounced over the Israelites. This verse is the powerful conclusion of a three-part benediction, invoking God's direct, intimate, and personal favor upon His people, promising the ultimate and comprehensive gift of peace. It speaks to God's desire for His people to experience His benevolent presence and holistic well-being.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the climactic final line of the Aaronic Blessing, found in [Numbers 6:24-26](/numbers/6 "Numbers 6 - The Aaronic Blessing"). Each preceding line builds upon the last, moving from God's general protection and keeping in [Numbers 6:24](/numbers/6-24 "Numbers 6:24 - The First Line of Blessing") to His shining face and graciousness in [Numbers 6:25](/numbers/6-25 "Numbers 6:25 - The Second Line of Blessing"), culminating in the intimate lifting of His countenance and the bestowal of peace in [Numbers 6:26](/numbers/6-26 "Numbers 6:26 - The Third Line of Blessing"). The entire blessing is not merely a wish but a divine promise, as explicitly stated in [Numbers 6:27](/numbers/6-27 "Numbers 6:27 - God's Promise to Bless"), where the Lord declares that when the priests pronounce these words, He Himself will "put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them." This structure assures the Israelites of God's active involvement and benevolent disposition towards them, with each phrase deepening the sense of divine intimacy and provision.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the "face" (countenance) of a king or deity was highly symbolic. To "lift up one's countenance" (or "turn one's face towards") someone was a profound gesture of favor, acceptance, and approval, signifying personal attention and goodwill. Conversely, to hide or turn away one's face indicated displeasure, rejection, or judgment, as seen in passages like [Psalm 27:9](/psalm/27-9 "Psalm 27:9 - Do Not Hide Your Face"). For the priests to pronounce such a blessing meant they were acting as God's representatives, channeling His divine favor directly to the people. The concept of "peace" (Hebrew: _shalom_) was also far richer than merely the absence of conflict. It encompassed a holistic state of well-being, completeness, prosperity, health, security, and spiritual tranquility, reflecting a flourishing life in right relationship with God and community. This blessing thus promised the Israelites not just safety, but a comprehensive state of flourishing rooted in God's personal, benevolent presence.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Countenance (Hebrew, _panim_):** The Hebrew word for "countenance" is _panim_ (פָּנִים), meaning "face" or "presence." The phrase "lift up his countenance" is _nasa panim_ (נָשָׂא פָּנִים), literally "to lift the face." This idiom signifies turning one's face towards another with favor, acceptance, and personal attention. In the ancient world, a king or superior lifting their face towards a subject was a sign of welcome and approval, while turning away or hiding the face indicated displeasure or rejection. Here, it assures God's benevolent gaze and active, approving presence in the lives of His people.
* **Peace (Hebrew, _shalom_):** The Hebrew word for "peace" is _shalom_ (שָׁלוֹם). This is one of the most profound and comprehensive words in the Hebrew lexicon. It signifies far more than just the absence of conflict or war. _Shalom_ encompasses wholeness, completeness, well-being, prosperity, health, security, harmony, and spiritual tranquility. It denotes a state of flourishing and right relationship in all aspects of life—physical, emotional, spiritual, and relational. It is the deep, abiding peace that comes from being in right relationship with God and experiencing His full blessing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee":** This clause represents the third and most intimate request of the blessing. It moves beyond general protection and shining grace to a direct, personal, and favorable gaze from God Himself. It signifies God's personal attention, approval, and acceptance of His people. It implies a relational closeness where God is not distant or indifferent but actively engaged, looking upon His people with love, care, and a desire to bless. This is a profound expression of divine intimacy, assuring the individual of God's personal favor.
* **"and give thee peace":** This concluding clause is the ultimate, comprehensive gift and the culmination of the entire blessing. The "peace" referred to here is _shalom_, encompassing holistic well-being—physical, emotional, spiritual, and relational flourishing. It is the state of complete harmony and security that flows from God's presence and favor. This peace is not dependent on external circumstances but is a divine impartation, signifying a state of completeness and rightness that God desires for His people, bringing rest and tranquility to every aspect of their being.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 6:26, as part of the Aaronic Blessing, employs several powerful literary devices. **Anthropomorphism** is evident in the phrase "lift up his countenance," which attributes a human-like action (lifting a face) to God. This makes the divine presence and favor more comprehensible and relatable to human experience, emphasizing God's personal engagement rather than an abstract blessing. The entire blessing also demonstrates a clear **Climax** or **Ascension**, building in intensity and intimacy across its three lines. While [Numbers 6:24](/numbers/6-24 "Numbers 6:24 - God's Keeping") speaks of general protection and keeping, and [Numbers 6:25](/numbers/6-25 "Numbers 6:25 - God's Grace") of God's face shining with grace, [Numbers 6:26](/numbers/6-26 "Numbers 6:26 - God's Peace") reaches its apex with God's direct, favorable gaze and the bestowal of comprehensive peace. This escalating progression highlights the increasing depth of God's desire to bless and draw near to His people. The inherent **Parallelism** in the structure of the three verses, each beginning with "The LORD" and presenting a pair of blessings, creates a rhythmic and memorable pronouncement, reinforcing the divine origin and comprehensive nature of the benediction.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 6:26 profoundly reveals God's character as a benevolent, relational, and active Giver of good gifts. It underscores His desire for an intimate relationship with His people, where His "face" is turned towards them in favor, not in judgment. The comprehensive nature of _shalom_ as the ultimate blessing demonstrates that God's concern for humanity extends to every facet of existence—physical, emotional, spiritual, and relational—aiming for holistic flourishing. This verse also highlights the significance of divine pronouncements and the power of the priestly office as a conduit for God's blessings, assuring the Israelites of God's covenant faithfulness and His yearning to bless His children with His presence and peace.

* [Psalm 4:6](/psalm/4-6 "Psalm 4:6 - The Light of Your Countenance")
* [Psalm 29:11](/psalm/29-11 "Psalm 29:11 - The LORD Blesses His People with Peace")
* [Isaiah 26:3](/isaiah/26-3 "Isaiah 26:3 - Perfect Peace for Those Whose Minds Are Steadfast")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 6:26 offers a timeless truth for believers today: God desires to look upon us with favor and to bestow upon us a profound, comprehensive peace. In a world often filled with anxiety, conflict, and a sense of divine distance, this verse reminds us that through Christ, we have access to God's approving gaze and His active presence. We are not met with condemnation, but with grace and acceptance. This peace, _shalom_, is not merely the absence of trouble, but a holistic well-being that guards our hearts and minds, enabling us to flourish even amidst life's challenges. It calls us to trust in God as the ultimate source of our security and contentment, and to actively seek His face in prayer, knowing He delights in turning towards us with favor. This verse serves as a powerful model for prayer, inviting us to ask God to actively intervene in our lives, bestowing His personal favor and comprehensive well-being.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's desire to "lift up his countenance upon thee" impact your perception of His character and your relationship with Him?**
* **In what areas of your life do you most deeply long for God's _shalom_ (wholeness, peace, flourishing)?**
* **How can you more intentionally seek God's face and live in the awareness of His favor throughout your daily life?**

### FAQ

**What does "The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee" truly mean?**

Answer: This phrase signifies God turning His face towards an individual with favor, approval, and personal attention. In ancient cultures, a king or superior lifting their face towards someone was a sign of acceptance and goodwill, while hiding or turning away the face indicated displeasure or rejection. Therefore, [Numbers 6:26](/numbers/6-26 "Numbers 6:26 - God's Favorable Gaze") assures us of God's benevolent gaze and active, approving presence in our lives, indicating His delight in His people.

**What is the significance of "peace" (`shalom`) in this verse?**

Answer: The Hebrew word for peace here is _shalom_ (שָׁלוֹם), which encompasses far more than just the absence of conflict. _Shalom_ means wholeness, completeness, well-being, prosperity, health, security, and spiritual tranquility. It signifies a state of flourishing and harmony in all aspects of life – physical, emotional, spiritual, and relational. It is the deep, comprehensive peace that comes from being in right relationship with God and experiencing His full blessing, as promised in [Isaiah 26:3](/isaiah/26-3 "Isaiah 26:3 - Perfect Peace").

**Is the Aaronic Blessing still relevant for believers today?**

Answer: Absolutely. While the specific priestly function of pronouncing the blessing has changed with the New Covenant, the theological truths embedded in the Aaronic Blessing remain eternally relevant. It reveals God's unchanging character and His desire to bless His people with His presence, grace, and comprehensive peace. For believers today, it serves as a powerful reminder of God's benevolent disposition towards us through Christ, and it can be used as a prayer or declaration of God's promises over our lives, as seen in [Philippians 4:7](/philippians/4-7 "Philippians 4:7 - The Peace of God").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 6:26 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the very [image of the invisible God](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Image of God"), the one through whom God's countenance is fully and finally lifted upon humanity. In Jesus, we see the perfect revelation of God's face turned towards us in favor and love, as [2 Corinthians 4:6](/2_corinthians/4-6 "2 Corinthians 4:6 - The Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ") declares, "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." Through His atoning sacrifice, the barrier of sin that caused God to hide His face from humanity ([Isaiah 59:2](/isaiah/59-2 "Isaiah 59:2 - Your Sins Have Separated You from Your God")) has been removed. Furthermore, Christ Himself is our peace. [Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Is Our Peace") states, "For he is our peace," having broken down the dividing wall of hostility. He not only grants us peace with God ([Romans 5:1](/romans/5-1 "Romans 5:1 - Peace with God Through Our Lord Jesus Christ")) by reconciling us to the Father, but He also gives us His own peace, a peace that the world cannot give ([John 14:27](/john/14-27 "John 14:27 - My Peace I Give to You")). In Christ, the promise of God's lifted countenance and comprehensive _shalom_ is fully realized, enabling believers to live in His constant favor and experience His abiding peace, even amidst tribulation ([John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - In Me You May Have Peace")).

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 4:6

¶ [There be] many that say, Who will shew us [any] good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.

2 Thessalonians 3:16

¶ Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord [be] with you all.

Psalms 29:11

The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.

Romans 15:13

¶ Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

John 16:33

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Acts 2:28

Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.

Isaiah 26:3

Thou wilt keep [him] in perfect peace, [whose] mind [is] stayed [on thee]: because he trusteth in thee.