Numbers 6:22-27

THE FORM OF THE PRIESTLY BLESSING, Numbers 6:22-27.

The Book of Numbers is rich in fragments of ancient poetry, some of them of great beauty, and all elucidating the character of the times in which they were composed. Such is the poetical benediction of the high priest. From this mustard seed arose the overshadowing system of Hebrew and Christian liturgies, which Milton aptly styles “the manuals and handmaids of devotion, the lip-work of every prelatical liturgist, clapped together and quilted out of Scripture phrase.” While the vast majority of Hebraists are unable to detect any rhythm of measures in Hebrew poetry, they find what has been called a rhythm of sentiment. Thus in this priestly blessing each period is divided into two members which balance each other by thought corresponding to thought in repetition and amplification. This parallelism is the distinctive feature of Hebrew poetry. Thus, in this benediction, are three sets of parallels, each containing two verbs.