Numbers 6:22-26 (NKJV): And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, 'This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them: "The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace."'
Numbers 6:24 (NKJV): "The LORD bless you and keep you..."
The word 'bless' here is 'barak' in Hebrew, and it means 'to kneel (in order to bless)'. This speaks of your Heavenly Father kneeling in front of you, making Himself available to you, like a good father on earth kneeling before his child in order to minister and bestow good things to his child.
The word 'keep' here is 'shamar' in Hebrew, and it can mean 'to hedge, to protect, to watch, to attend to, to guard, to surround (with divine embrace), to preserve'. This speaks of God's divine protection over you, guarding and keeping you in His divine embrace, so that no weapon formed against you shall prosper.
Numbers 6:25a (NKJV): "The LORD make His face shine upon you..."
The word 'face' here is 'paniym' in Hebrew, and this speaks of 'His front, His countenance'. This speaks of Him looking at you with favor, instead of turning His back against you.
The word 'shine' here is 'owr' in Hebrew, and this means 'to show light, to give light, to let His glory fall (on you)'. In other words, His face illuminates (supplies light, brightens with light) on you, bringing light and brightness to your life.
Numbers 6:25b (NKJV): "And be gracious to you..."
The word 'gracious' here is 'chanan' in Hebrew, and it can mean either of these:
(a) to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior;
(b) to favor, to bestow favor and mercy.
Indeed, He is the 'superior' and we are the 'inferior'. He is the Creator and we are the creation. He is God and we are not. Yet, He loves you so much that He would bend or stoop to show kindness to you. Your Heavenly Father is looking into your eyes and smiling at you, because He has pleasure in seeing you walking in His grace and His truth.
Numbers 6:26a (NKJV): "The LORD lift up His countenance upon you..."
The word 'lift up' here is 'nasa' in Hebrew, and it means 'to bring forth, to lift up (and carry you)'. You see, He doesn't just lift you up, but He also carries you in His arms, like a good father on earth lifting up and carrying his beloved child.
Therefore, of whom shall you fear on earth?
Numbers 6:26b (NKJV): "And give you peace..."
The word 'peace' here is 'shalowm' in Hebrew. It can mean 'peace, happiness, health, prosperity, safety, wholeness, wellness'. As you can see, 'peace' here isn't just about the absence of war or absence of fighting on earth. It is much, much more than that. It means your Heavenly Father is setting in place all you need to be whole and well, to be healthy and prosperous, to be safe and happy, so you can walk in victory on earth. It is supernatural peace. It is directly from heaven to you, not as the world give to you.
So, there you have it! A priestly blessing for you to start this new year! Receive every word of this prayer by faith!
To wrap up, the LORD says this in Numbers 6:27. "So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them."
The word 'put' here speaks of 'to pour, to invoke (to call upon His own name to help or bless you)'. In other words, the LORD, your Heavenly Father, pour His name over you and surround you with His name, the name above all names. When light comes, darkness has to flee. When darkness sees His name on you, darkness or any work of darkness will tremble and will have to run away!
Indeed, this is your time to arise and shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon you (Isaiah 60:1). Amen!
