Numbers 6 Study Notes

6:13-21 The concluding ceremony of the Nazirite vow involved each of these sacrificial offerings: (1) a burnt offering (Hb ‘olah) for consecration, (2) a sin offering (Hb chatta’ath) for purification, and (3) a fellowship offering (Hb shelomim) for celebration.

6:22-27 The priestly blessing concludes the first section of the book of Numbers.

6:23 Blessing was invoking the power of God on behalf of the people of God (bless the Israelites). This blessing would bring such things as numerous descendants, a fruitful land, good health, long life, deliverance from danger and oppression, protection from one’s enemies, and God’s abiding presence. As the recipient of God’s blessing, Israel was to bless the nations (Gn 12:3) as his instrument, serving as a light to the entire world and pointing the nations to the one true God.

6:24 God’s protection of Israel had been demonstrated by their deliverance from Egypt. The prayer calls for that protection to continue.

6:25 The face reflected the righteous character of God. Be gracious to you evoked God’s favor, which was beyond measure. God’s grace would be exemplified when God brought the second generation into the promised land after the rejection of that gift by the generation delivered from Egypt.

6:26 Look with favor on you and give you peace expresses God’s grace and beneficence. Favor is the directing of one’s full attention toward the needs and desires of another person. The smile of God on the community of faith would bring peace as his covenant mercy came to fruition in the life of the community.

6:27 The name of God is a reflection of the fullness of his character. When Jesus spoke of coming in the name of the Father (Jn 5:43; 10:25), he was evoking the fullness of God’s character upon his public ministry.