Blessing [nave]
BLESSINGFor blessing before eating, See: Prayer, Thanksgiving Before Taking Food.
See also Benedictions.
Responsive Blessings of the Law
Deut. 28:1-14 For the responsive Curses of the law, See: Curse.
Divine, Contingent upon Obedience
Ex. 15:26; Ex. 19:5; Ex. 20:6; Ex. 23:22; Lev. 26:3-43; Deut. 4:1, 40; Deut. 5:10, 29 Deut. 29:9. Deut. 7:9, 12-15; Deut. 11:26, 27 v. 28.; Deut. 12:28; Deut. 15:4, 5; Deut. 28:1-14; Deut. 30:1-10, 15-20; Josh. 1:8; 1 Kin. 2:3, 4; 1 Kin. 3:14; 1 Kin. 8:23; 1 Kin. 9:3-9 2 Chr. 7:17-22. 1 Chr. 22:13; 1 Chr. 28:7, 8; 2 Chr. 26:5; 2 Chr. 27:6; 2 Chr. 30:9; 2 Chr. 31:10; Job 36:11; Prov. 3:1, 2; Prov. 16:7; Isa. 1:19; Jer. 7:3-7, 23; Jer. 11:1-5; Jer. 12:16; Jer. 15:19-21; Jer. 17:24-27; Jer. 22:4, 5, 15, 16; Zech. 3:7; Mal. 3:10-12; Matt. 10:22 Matt. 24:13; Mark 13:13. Col. 1:22, 23; Heb. 3:6, 14; Heb. 6:11, 12; Heb. 10:36; Rev. 2:10 See: Faithfulness; Contingencies.
Spiritual, from God
Gen. 49:24; Ex. 15:2; Ex. 33:16; Lev. 21:8 Ex. 31:13. Deut. 33:25, 27; 1 Sam. 2:4; Neh. 8:10; Job 23:6; Psa. 18:1, 2, 28, 32, 35, 36 Psa. 144:1, 2. Psa. 23:2, 3; Psa. 27:14; Psa. 28:8; Psa. 29:11; Psa. 30:7; Psa. 31:24; Psa. 37:6, 17, 24, 39; Psa. 52:8; Psa. 55:22; Psa. 61:5; Psa. 63:8; Psa. 66:9; Psa. 68:18, 28, 35; Psa. 71:16; Psa. 72:6, 17; Psa. 73:23, 26; Psa. 81:10; Psa. 84:5, 11; Psa. 89:17; Psa. 92:12-14 Psa. 1:3. Psa. 94:17, 18; Psa. 105:4; Psa. 119:32,102; Psa. 132:15, 16; Psa. 138:3, 8; Psa. 146:5; Prov. 10:29; Prov. 16:6; Isa. 1:25; Isa. 4:3, 4; Isa. 6:6, 7; Isa. 26:12; Isa. 28:6; Isa. 33:5, 6; Isa. 40:11, 29, 31; Isa. 41:10, 13, 14, 17, 18; Isa. 44:3; Isa. 45:8, 24; Isa. 54:17; Isa. 57:19; Isa. 58:8, 10, 11; Jer. 31:12, 14, 33; Ezek. 16:14; Dan. 11:32; Hos. 6:3; Hos. 14:5, 8 vs. 6,7.; Hab. 3:19; Zech. 10:12; Zech. 12:8; Mal. 3:2, 3; Mal. 4:2; John 1:16; John 17:11; Acts 20:32; Rom. 9:23; Rom. 14:4; 1 Cor. 12:6; 1 Cor. 13:10, 12; 1 Cor. 15:10; 2 Cor. 1:21, 22; 2 Cor. 3:5; 2 Cor. 5:5; 2 Cor. 9:8; 2 Cor. 10:4; Eph. 3:20; Phil. 1:6; Phil. 2:13; Phil. 4:7, 19; Col. 1:11, 12; 1 Thess. 5:24; Heb. 12:10, 11; Jas. 1:17 v. 18.; 1 Pet. 1:5; 2 Pet. 1:2-4; 1 John 1:9; 1 John 4:4; Jude 1, 24 See: Regeneration; Sanctification.
Temporal, from God
Gen. 1:30; Gen. 8:22; Gen. 9:1, 3 v. 2.; Gen. 22:17 Gen. 26:4, 5. Gen. 28:20, 21; Gen. 49:24, 25 vs. 11,12,20.; Ex. 23:22; Ex. 34:24; Lev. 25:20-22; Lev. 26:4-10; Deut. 1:10; Deut. 2:7; Deut. 4:4 v. 40;; Num. 10:29; Deut. 5:33; 6:2-25; 12:28. Deut. 7:13-15 vs. 16-24;; Ex. 15:26; 23:25, 26. Deut. 8:3-10, 15-18 vs. 1,2.; Deut. 10:18; Deut. 11:12 vs. 13-15.; Deut. 12:7; Deut. 15:4, 6 Deut. 26:18, 19. Deut. 28:7, 8; Deut. 29:5 Deut. 8:4. Deut. 32:13, 14; Josh. 1:8; Ruth 1:6; 1 Sam. 2:7, 8; 2 Sam. 7:8, 9 1 Chr. 17:7, 8. 1 Chr. 29:12, 14, 16; 2 Chr. 1:12; 2 Chr. 31:10; Ezra 8:22; Neh. 8:10; Job 5:10; Job 12:23; Job 22:18; Job 37:6, 10, 13, 16, 17; Job 38:25-27, 41 vs. 1-41.; Psa. 21:3-5; Psa. 23:1, 5; Psa. 34:10; Psa. 36:6; Psa. 44:3; Psa. 65:8-11 vs. 12,13.; Psa. 68:6, 9, 10, 19; Psa. 69:35, 36; Psa. 81:16 vs. 13-15.; Psa. 85:12; Psa. 91:1-16; Psa. 103:2-5; Psa. 104:14, 15, 27, 28 vs. 1-35.; Psa. 105:24; Psa. 107:35-38; Psa. 111:5; Psa. 113:9; Psa. 115:16; Psa. 127:1-5; Psa. 135:7; Psa. 136:25 vs. 1-26.; Psa. 144:12-15; Psa. 145:15, 16; Psa. 146:5-9; Psa. 147:8, 9, 13, 14; Eccl. 2:24; Eccl. 3:13; Eccl. 5:19; Isa. 25:4; Isa. 30:23, 26 vs. 24,25.; Isa. 31:1, 2; Isa. 33:15, 16; Isa. 43:20; Isa. 48:21; Isa. 51:2; Isa. 55:10; Jer. 5:24; Jer. 10:13 Jer. 51:16. Jer. 14:22; Jer. 27:4-6; Jer. 30:19; Jer. 31:35; Ezek. 36:30, 36, 38 vs. 28-38.; Dan. 5:18; Dan. 6:20, 22; Hos. 2:8; Hos. 11:3; Joel 2:21, 23, 26; Amos 4:7; Jonah 4:6; Zech. 10:1; Mal. 3:10, 12 v. 11.; Matt. 5:45; Matt. 6:26, 30-33; Matt. 10:29; Luke 12:22-31; John 6:31; Acts 14:17; 1 Cor. 2:9; 1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 7:6; 2 Cor. 9:8-10; Phil. 4:19; 2 Pet. 2:7-9 See: God, Goodness of, Providence of.
Temporal, From God, Exemplified
To Noah, at the time of the flood, Gen. 7:1; Abraham, Gen. 24:1; Isaac, Gen. 26:12-24, 28; Jacob, Gen. 35:9-15; Israelites, in Egypt, Ex. 11:3; in the wilderness, supplying water, Ex. 17:1-7; Num. 20:10, 11; Psa. 78:15-20; 105:41; maa, Ex. 16:14, 31; Num. 11:7-9; Neh. 9:15; Psa. 78:23, 24; quails, Num. 11:31-33; Psa. 78:23-30; 105:40.
To David, 2 Sam. 5:10; 1 Chr. 14:17; Obed-edom, 2 Sam. 6:11; Solomon, 1 Kin. 3:13; 1 Chr. 29:25; 2 Chr. 1:1; Elijah, fed by ravens, 1 Kin. 17:2-7; by an angel, 1 Kin. 19:5-8.
To the widow of Zarephath, 1 Kin. 17:12-16.
Hezekiah prospered, 2 Kin. 18:6, 7; 2 Chr. 32:29; restored to health, 2 Kin. 20:1-7; Asa, 2 Chr. 14:6, 7; Jehoshaphat, 2 Chr. 17:3-5; 20:30; Uzziah, 2 Chr. 26:5-15; Jotham, 2 Chr. 27:6; Job, Job 1:10; 42:10, 12; Daniel, Dan. 1:9.
Temporal, Prayer for
Gen. 27:28, 29; Gen. 28:20, 21 vs. 3,4.; Gen. 48:16; Deut. 1:11; Deut. 26:15; Deut. 33:11, 13, 16, 24 vs. 14,15.; 1 Kin. 8:36 vs. 35-50.; 1 Chr. 4:10; 1 Chr. 17:27; Psa. 28:9; Psa. 36:11; Prov. 30:8; Matt. 6:11; Rom. 1:10; 1 Thess. 3:11; 3 John 2 See: Affliction, Prayer in; Prayer; Prosperity.
Temporal Blessings, Prayer for. Instances of:
Abraham, Gen. 15:2-4.
Abraham's servant, Gen. 24:12.
Laban, Gen. 24:60.
Isaac, Gen. 25:21.
Haah, 1 Sam. 1:11.
Elijah, 1 Kin. 17:20, 21; 18:42, 44; Jas. 5:17, 18.
Ezra, Ezra 8:21-23.
Nehemiah, Neh. 1:11; 2:4; 6:9.
BLESSING [isbe]
BLESSING - (berakhah; eulogia): Sometimes means the form of words used in invoking the bestowal of good, as in Dt 33:1; Josh 8:34; and Jas 3:10. Sometimes it means the good or the benefit itself which has been conferred, as in Gen 27:36, "Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me?" and Prov 10:22, "The blessing of Yahweh, it maketh rich." "The cup of blessing" (to poterion tes eulogias, a special use of the word in 1 Cor 10:16), means the cup for which we bless God, or which represents to us so much blessin g from God.James M. Gray
Blessing [baker]
[N]God's intention and desire to bless humanity is a central focus of his covenant relationships. For this reason, the concept of blessing pervades the biblical record. Two distinct ideas are present. First, a blessing was a public declaration of a favored status with God. Second, the blessing endowed power for prosperity and success. In all cases, the blessing served as a guide and motivation to pursue a course of life within the blessing.
The Old Testament Terms for blessing abound in the Old Testament, occurring over 600 times. The major terms are related to the word meaning "to kneel, " since in earlier times one would kneel to receive a blessing.
The history of Israel begins with the promise of blessing. The curse, which had dominated the early chapters of the biblical story (Gen 3:14, 17; 4:11; 5:29; 9:25), was countered by God's promise to Abraham that "all peoples on earth will be blessed through you" (Gen 12:3). The record of Israel's past is best understood as an outworking of blessing and cursing (Deut 27:1-28:68).
The institutions of society—the family, government, and religion—were the means by which ceremonial blessings were received. Within the family the father blessed his wife and children (Gen 27:27-29; 49:25-26; 1 Sam 2:20). In the government context, the ruler blessed his subjects (2 Sam 6:18; 1 Kings 8:14, 55). Those who possessed a priestly role were bestowed with the privilege of blessing (Gen 14:19; Lev 9:22). The tribe of Levi was set apart "to pronounce blessings in his [the Lord's] name" (Deut 10:8; 21:5).
Three common themes are present in formal Old Testament blessings. First, the greater blesses the lesser, a fact picked up by the writer of Hebrews to demonstrate the superiority of Melchizedek to Abraham (Heb 7:6-7). Second, the blessing is a sign of special favor that is intended to result in prosperity and success (Deu 28:3-7). Third, the blessing is actually an invocation for God's blessing: "May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful" (Gen 28:3).
In a less ceremonial sense, the Scriptures declare a general blessing on the righteous. Those who are obedient to God's commands are blessed with affluence and victory (Deu 28:1-14). On the other hand, those who are disobedient are cursed (Deu 28:15-68) and suffer the consequences of drought, disease, and deprivation.
It is also possible for a person to "bless" God. The terminology arises as a response to the blessings bestowed by God: "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits" (Psalm 103:2; KJV ). These occurrences of "bless" are usually translated "praise" or "extol" in modern versions.
The New Testament The parallels between the Old and New Testament usages of blessing are striking. To be blessed is to be granted special favor by God with resulting joy and prosperity. In the New Testament, however, the emphasis is more on spiritual rather than on material blessings.
God's promise to Abraham again serves as a foundation for blessings. The pledge that "all peoples on earth shall be blessed" (Gen 12:3) is fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ (Ga 3:8-14). He has borne the consequences of the curse for believers (Gal 3:13) and blessed them with the forgiveness of sins (Rom 4:6-9; see Psalm 32:1-2). Believers are "blessed … with every spiritual blessing in Christ" (Eph 1:3) and now inherit the blessings promised through the patriarchs (Heb 6:12, 15; 12:17; 1 Peter 3:9). As a result of receiving God's blessings in Christ, believers are called to be a source of blessing to the world, especially in response to those who persecute them (Luke 6:27-28; Rom 12:14; 1 Cor 4:12; 1 Peter 3:9; cf. Isa 19:24; Zech 8:13).
In a general sense, the terms for blessing in the New Testament are used to designate that one is favored by God. Included among these are Jesus (Mark 11:9-10); children (Mark 10:13-16); Mary (Luke 1:42,48); the disciples (Luke 24:50); those who "have not seen and yet have believed" (John 20:29); and those who endure trials (James 1:12; 5:11). As in the Old Testament, when these words are ascribed to God they are rendered "praise" (Rom 1:25; 9:5; 2 Cor 11:31).
The most recognizable references to blessing come from the teachings of Jesus. He declares that in spite of difficulties at the present time, the promises of God's salvation and coming kingdom bring a state of happiness and recognized favor with God (Matt 5:3-10; Luke 6:20-22). The culmination of the Scriptures proclaims the end of the curse (Rev 22:3) and the eternal blessedness of the people of God (Rev 20:6; 22:7).
William E. Brown
Bibliography. W. Eichrodt, Theology of the Old Testament; H.-G. Link and U. Becker, NIDNTT, 3:206-18.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[N] indicates this entry was also found in Nave's Topical Bible
BLESSING [bridgeway]
Consistently the Bible refers to the gifts that God gives, whether material or spiritual, as blessings (Gen 9:1; Lev 25:21; Num 6:22-26; Ps 115:12-15; Prov 10:22; Eph 1:3; Heb 6:7). Often it contrasts God’s blessings with his cursings or punishments (Deut 11:26-28; 27:12-13; 30:19).Even in ordinary human relationships, to desire blessing or cursing for another person meant to desire benefits or calamities for that person (Gen 27:12; Num 22:6; Rom 12:14; Jas 3:10-11). A blessing in this sense was not a mere expression of good wishes, but an announcement that people believed carried with it the power to make the wishes come true (Gen 27:27-29,33; 49:1,28; Num 24:10; 2 Sam 7:29). (For a similar idea, but with opposite results, see CURSE.)
People gave blessings on important occasions, most notably at births, marriages and farewells (Gen 14:18-19; 24:60; Ruth 4:14-15; Mark 10:13-16; Luke 2:33-35; 24:50). Usually the person of higher status blessed the one of lower status (Heb 7:7; cf. Gen 14:18-20).
The blessing that people in Israelite families wanted most was the prophetic announcement by which the head of the family passed on favours to his children (Gen 27:36-41; 48:8-22; 49:1-28; Deut 33:1-29; Heb 11:20-21; 12:17). Probably the most striking example of a blessing carrying with it the power of certain fulfilment was God’s blessing to Abraham that promised him a people and a land (Gen 12:1-3; 26:24).
Since a blessing expressed the desire for a person’s well-being, it was also used as a formal greeting, even from an inferior to a superior (Gen 47:7-10). A blessing could therefore become an expression of praise, and in this sense grateful people can bless God (Ps 28:6; 31:21; 41:13; Dan 2:19-20; Mark 11:9-10; Lk 1:68; Rom 1:25; Eph 1:3). A thanksgiving to God such as before eating a meal is sometimes called a blessing (Mark 6:41; 8:7; 14:22; 1 Cor 10:16).
There is another word sometimes translated ‘blessed’ that refers to the happiness or well-being of a person. It is usually used to denote the contented state of the person who lives uprightly according to God’s principles and who, as a result, enjoys God’s favour (Ps 1:1; 32:1; 41:1; Prov 3:13; Matt 11:6; 16:17; Luke 1:45; 12:37; Rom 4:6-9; James 1:12; Rev 16:15). When people enter God’s kingdom and live under the kingly rule of Christ, they experience the sort of deep seated joy that Christ himself experienced. Such joy is a foretaste of the greater blessedness that will be theirs when they are with Christ in the day of his kingdom’s final glory (Matt 5:2-11; 25:34; John 15:11; see JOY).
