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Christmas Season · Holy Name of Jesus · Year A

Numbers 6:22-27

The Priestly Blessing

January 1, 2026

The High Priest Aaron, Spanish School
The High Priest Aaron, Spanish School, 17th centuryMuseo del Prado, Madrid
An anonymous Spanish painting of Aaron in full priestly dress: the breastplate with its twelve stones, the turban, the bells on the hem.The Lord bless you and keep you: Numbers 6 is the blessing Aaron was given to say, and this is the man dressed to say it.Spanish SchoolUnattributed; a Spanish painting of the seventeenth century whose author is not recorded.Museo del Prado, MadridSpain's national collection, formed from what the Spanish crown had bought over three centuries, which is why its Titians and Rubenses are unmatched.Museo del Prado, Madrid
Revised Common Lectionary
GospelLuke 2:15-21Lk 2:15-21
EpistleGal. 4:4-7Gal 4:4-7 orPhil. 2:5-11Phil 2:5-11
Old TestamentNum. 6:22-27Nm 6:22-27
PsalterPs. 8Ps 8

Overview & Insights

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you.” (Numbers 6:24-25)

The Nazirite regulations continue the theme of purity from Numbers 5. The Nazirites are laymen and laywomen who in a special way have dedicated themselves to God. Amos lists the Nazirite with the prophet as a special kind of holy person (Amos 2:11–12). These regulations also continue the theme of oaths, for both the woman suspected of adultery and the Naz­irite make oaths (Num. 5:15–31; 6:2). Historical and Cultural Background Nazirite vows in later Jewish tradition may illuminate the nature of Nazirite vows earlier in Israelite history. In mishnaic times Nazirite vows were typically conditional: “If God does [such and such], I will become a Nazirite for [x] period of time.” A person might vow to become a Nazirite “if a son is born to me” (Mishnah Nazir 2:7–10). Queen Helena vowed, “If my son returns safely from the war, I will be a Nazirite for seven years” (Mishnah Nazir 3:6).

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Take it further: Numbers 6:22-27

Commentary

Numbers 6:22-27Nm 6:22-27 Working Preacher

A commentary on the Aaronic blessing and how God's own name is placed upon the people.

Numbers 6Nm 6 Enduring Word · David Guzik

An evangelical commentary on Numbers 6, treating the Nazirite vow and the threefold priestly benediction.

Numbers 6 resourcesNm 6 resources Precept Austin

A deep study collection with Hebrew word studies and cross-references on the priestly blessing.

Classic commentaries on Numbers 6Classic commentaries on Nm 6 BibleHub

Parallel translations and classic public-domain commentaries assembled for Numbers 6.

Background & Word Study

Numbers 6 in Hebrew, with Jewish commentaryNm 6 in Hebrew, with Jewish commentary Sefaria

The Hebrew text with Rashi and other Jewish commentators, essential for the priestly blessing in its original setting.

Overview: NumbersOverview: Nm BibleProject

An animated overview tracing the structure and theology of Numbers to situate the blessing text.

Numbers 6 in Hebrew, with Jewish commentaryNm 6 in Hebrew, with Jewish commentary Sefaria

The Hebrew text of the priestly blessing alongside English with Rashi and other Jewish commentators.

The Church Fathers

Numbers 6, patristic commentaryNm 6, patristic commentary Catena

Early church comment on Numbers 6, with the Fathers reading the blessing of the divine name christologically.

Questions preachers ask

Why is the Aaronic blessing read on the Holy Name of Jesus?

Because of its last line: so shall they put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them. The blessing works by the placing of the divine name on a people, which is exactly what the eighth-day naming in Luke 2 does in a new key.

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