Numbers 6:24Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

"Therefore," he proclaims, "invoke a blessing. In what manner? 'The Lord bless thee, and keep thee.' Observe how, throughout Scripture, God reveals the mystery of the Trinity; for His sake, these blessings are expressed in threes. 'The Lord bless thee, and keep thee; may the Lord make His face shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee' (Num. 6:24-26). See how the sacred Trinity is exalted. What grace exists that does not come from the Holy Spirit? What gift is not bestowed by Him? What goodness can be achieved without His presence? What precious gift could possibly reach humanity apart from the Holy Spirit? Delve into the Scriptures and note how, when describing anything accomplished through divine power, all credit is given to the action of the Spirit."

He wisely directs attention away from the futility of worldly thoughts, revealing not the approval of man but rather Himself, as the true Lord: "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights" (James 1:17). Christ is the source of blessing, and He is the one who dispenses heavenly gifts; all things are received from the Father through Him and in Him. Similarly, the Apostle Paul states, "Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. 1:7). Hence, we are blessed in the name of God.

Following this, the law instructs the priests on how to invoke blessings, revealing that God's name conveys favor to those who approach Him. It is written, ‘Let them put My name upon the children of Israel, and I the Lord will bless them’ (Num. 6:27). The specific words of the blessing are similarly recorded: ‘The Lord bless thee, and keep thee; The Lord make His face shine upon thee, and have mercy upon thee; The Lord lift up His face upon thee, and give thee peace.’ From this, we learn that those who receive blessings must first earnestly seek divine gifts, as indicated by the phrase ‘He shall bless thee’; they are then called to preserve what has been bestowed, as further emphasized by the phrase ‘And He shall keep thee’.