Lexical Summary
berakah: blessing, blessings, gift
Original Word:בְּרָכָה
Part of Speech:Noun Feminine
Transliteration:Brakah
Pronunciation:beh-rah-KAH
Phonetic Spelling:(ber-aw-kaw')
KJV: blessing, liberal, pool, present
NASB:blessing, blessings, gift, peace, benefit, blessed, generous
Word Origin:[fromH1288 (בָּרַך - blessed)]
1. benediction
2. (by implication) prosperity
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
blessing, liberal, pool, present
Frombarak; benediction; by implication prosperity -- blessing, liberal, pool, present.
see HEBREWbarak
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
barakDefinitiona blessing
NASB Translationbenefit (1), blessed (1), blessing (48), blessings (11), generous (1), gift (3), most blessed (1), peace (2), present (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
I. (Arabic
; Ethiopic
Aramaic
; Late Hebrew as Hebrew) —
Genesis 12:2 39t.; construct
Genesis 28:4 9t.; suffix
Genesis 49:28 7t.; plural
Psalm 21:7 4t.; construct ,
Genesis 49:25 5t.; suffix
Malachi 2:2; —
blessing:
of parentGenesis 27:12,41;Genesis 49:28 (JE), of MosesDeuteronomy 33:1.
of GodExodus 32:29 (E)Leviticus 25:21 (P)Deuteronomy 11:26,27,29;Deuteronomy 23:6 (=Nehemiah 13:2)Deuteronomy 28:2;Deuteronomy 28:8;Deuteronomy 30:1;Deuteronomy 30:19;Joshua 8:34 (D)2 Samuel 7:29;Psalm 3:9;Psalm 21:4;Psalm 133:3;Isaiah 44:3;Ezekiel 34:26;Ezekiel 44:30;Joel 2:14;Malachi 3:10;Genesis 39:5 (J)Deuteronomy 12:15;Deuteronomy 16:17;Deuteronomy 33:23;Psalm 129:8;Proverbs 10:22;Psalm 24:5;Genesis 28:4 (P), the blessing given to Abraham.
of the people, in recognition of good menPsalm 109:17;Proverbs 10:6;Proverbs 11:26;Proverbs 24:25;Proverbs 28:20.
of a poor man, in recognition of benefitsJob 29:13.
source of blessing: AbrahamGenesis 12:2 (J); IsraelIsaiah 19:24;Ezekiel 34:26;Zechariah 8:13; seed of the righteousPsalm 37:26; the kingPsalm 21:7; memory of the righteousProverbs 10:7; new wineIsaiah 65:8.
blessing, prosperity:by the prosperity of the upright (the city is exalted)Proverbs 11:11;yea, the early rain covereth with blessingsPsalm 84:7 compareGenesis 49:25,26;and I will curse your prosperityMalachi 2:2.
blessing, praise of GodNehemiah 9:5.
a gift, presentGenesis 33:11 (E)Joshua 15:19 (J)Judges 1:15;1 Samuel 25:27;1 Samuel 30:26;2 Kings 5:15;a liberal personProverbs 11:25 (compare Syriac
, Ethiopic
).
treaty of peace2 Kings 18:31 =Isaiah 36:16.
Topical Lexicon
Definition and Scopeבְּרָכָה (berakah) describes a spoken or enacted bestowal of favor that issues in tangible or spiritual benefit. While frequently rendered “blessing,” it can refer to the gift itself (Genesis 33:11), the pronouncement (Genesis 27:36), or the state produced (Deuteronomy 28:2). About sixty-nine occurrences span the Pentateuch, Historical Books, Wisdom Literature, and Prophets, presenting a unified portrait of divine generosity that invites human response.
Origin and Covenant Context
Blessing is rooted in the character of the Creator who first blessed humankind and creation (Genesis 1:22, 1:28). The Abrahamic covenant centers on blessing: “All the families of the earth will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:3). Throughout Scripture berakah unfolds as the mechanism by which God advances His redemptive purpose—ultimately leading to the Messiah in whom the nations receive the promised blessing (Galatians 3:14).
Blessing as Divine Initiative
1. Personal: The Lord singles out individuals—Abraham (Genesis 22:17), Isaac (Genesis 26:24), Jacob (Genesis 32:29)—guaranteeing progeny, protection, and land.
2. National: Israel’s deliverance from Egypt culminates in covenant blessing (Exodus 23:25). Joshua rallies the tribes with the exhortation: “Hold fast to the LORD your God… that He may bless you” (Joshua 23:8-11).
3. Cosmic: Prophetic texts envision blessing extending to all creation (Isaiah 65:8,Joel 2:14,Zechariah 8:13).
Human Participation in Blessing
Berakah can flow from people toward God (thanksgiving) or toward others (benevolence). Examples:
• Laban “blessed” his grandchildren (Genesis 31:55).
• Boaz spurs his harvesters: “The LORD be with you!” and they answer, “The LORD bless you!” (Ruth 2:4).
• Psalms repeatedly call the faithful to “bless the LORD” (Psalm 103:1-2). Such doxology acknowledges God’s supremacy and circulates blessing back to its source.
Liturgical and Priestly Usage
Numbers 6:24-26 records the archetypal priestly benediction, climaxing with “and give you peace.” The temple personnel invoked berakah in daily and festival worship (1 Chronicles 23:13,2 Chronicles 30:27). Ezra’s reforms re-center the community around this practice: “Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and all the people answered, ‘Amen, Amen’” (Nehemiah 8:6).
Blessing and the Abrahamic Promise
Berakah sustains patriarchal narratives:
• Transfer: Isaac mistakenly imparts the firstborn blessing upon Jacob (Genesis 27).
• Conflict: Esau laments, “Have you not reserved a blessing for me?” (Genesis 27:36).
• Adoption: Jacob blesses Ephraim and Manasseh, elevating them to tribal status (Genesis 48:20). These moments underscore God’s sovereign prerogative in choosing vessels of blessing.
Blessing in Wisdom Literature
Proverbs links berakah to righteous living and generosity: “A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25). Conversely, withholding charity forfeits blessing (Proverbs 22:9).
Blessing and Obedience
Deuteronomy delineates covenant blessings for obedience and curses for rebellion (Deuteronomy 28:1-14). Obedience attracts berakah “in the city and in the country” (28:3). This motif recurs in the prophets: “If you carefully obey… I will pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need” (Malachi 3:10).
Blessing in Prophetic Hope
Isaiah pictures foreign peoples grasping Israel’s fringe and declaring, “We have heard that God is with you” (Isaiah 45:14 paraphrase), signaling eschatological inclusion. Ezekiel foretells showers “in their season; they will be showers of blessing” (Ezekiel 34:26). Such imagery anticipates the Spirit’s outpouring at Pentecost (Acts 3:25-26).
Blessing and Material Provision
Berakah encompasses fertile soil (Deuteronomy 33:13), successful commerce (Psalm 24:5), and abundant offspring (Psalm 127:3-5). Yet Scripture warns against reducing blessing to wealth alone; authentic berakah is “the blessing of the LORD that enriches, and He adds no sorrow to it” (Proverbs 10:22).
Blessing as Peace and Well-Being
Shalom often accompanies berakah. The priestly benediction culminates in peace, while David’s reign is summarized: “The LORD had given him rest on every side” (2 Samuel 7:1). Spiritual, relational, and societal harmony flow from divine favor.
Blessing in Worship and Thanksgiving
Freewill offerings were sometimes labeled “blessing” (Deuteronomy 16:10). Psalmists convert personal deliverance into communal praise: “You prepare a table before me… my cup overflows” (Psalm 23:5). Corporate liturgy thus perpetuates awareness of divine goodness.
New Testament Echoes
The Septuagint often renders berakah with eulogia, carried into the New Testament: “God, having raised up His Servant, sent Him to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways” (Acts 3:26). Paul frames the gospel in covenantal terms: “Christ redeemed us… so that the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles” (Galatians 3:13-14). Christian benedictions (Ephesians 1:3,Hebrews 13:20-21) mirror the priestly pattern, affirming continuity.
Theological and Practical Implications for Ministry
1. Proclamation: Preaching announces God’s intent to bless repentant sinners through Christ.
2. Intercession: Leaders invoke berakah over congregations, trusting God to effect what He promises.
3. Discipleship: Believers steward material and spiritual resources as channels of blessing (2 Corinthians 9:6-8).
4. Mission: The church participates in the Abrahamic mandate, extending blessing to all peoples through evangelism and humanitarian service.
Berakah thus functions as a key biblical thread, weaving creation, covenant, worship, ethics, and eschatology into a cohesive testimony of divine generosity that calls forth faith, obedience, and joyful proclamation.
Forms and Transliterations
בְ֭רָכָה בְּ֝רָכ֗וֹת בְּ֭רָכוֹת בְּבִרְכַּ֣ת בְּרָכ֑וֹת בְּרָכָ֑ה בְּרָכָ֔ה בְּרָכָ֖ה בְּרָכָ֥ה בְּרָכָֽה׃ בְרָכ֣וֹת בְרָכָ֖ה בְרָכָ֗ה בְרָכָֽה׃ בְרָכָה֙ בִּ֝בְרָכָ֗ה בִּרְכ֣וֹת בִּרְכַּ֣ת בִּרְכַּ֤ת בִּרְכַּֽת־ בִּרְכָתִ֑י בִּרְכָתִי֙ בִּרְכָתֶֽךָ׃ בִּרְכֹ֣ת בִּרְכֹ֤ת בִּרְכֹ֥ת בִּרְכֽוֹתֵיכֶ֑ם בִרְכַּת־ בִרְכָתֶ֣ךָ בברכה בברכת ברכה ברכה׃ ברכות ברכותיכם ברכת ברכת־ ברכתי ברכתך ברכתך׃ הַ֨בְּרָכָ֔ה הַֽבְרָכָ֨ה הַבְּרָכ֥וֹת הַבְּרָכָ֑ה הַבְּרָכָ֔ה הַבְּרָכָ֖ה הַבְּרָכָ֗ה הַבְּרָכָ֣ה הַבְּרָכָה֙ הברכה הברכות וּ֝בְרָכָ֗ה וּבִרְכָתִ֖י וּמִבִּרְכָ֣תְךָ֔ וברכה וברכתי ומברכתך כְּבִרְכַּ֛ת כְּבִרְכַּ֨ת כְּבִרְכָת֖וֹ כברכת כברכתו לִבְרָכָ֑ה לִבְרָכָֽה׃ לברכה לברכה׃ bə·ḇir·kaṯ bə·rā·ḵāh ḇə·rā·ḵāh bə·rā·ḵō·wṯ ḇə·rā·ḵō·wṯ bəḇirkaṯ beraChah beraChot bərāḵāh ḇərāḵāh bərāḵōwṯ ḇərāḵōwṯ bevirKat biḇ·rā·ḵāh biḇrāḵāh bir·ḵā·ṯe·ḵā ḇir·ḵā·ṯe·ḵā bir·ḵā·ṯî bir·kaṯ bir·kaṯ- ḇir·kaṯ- bir·ḵō·w·ṯê·ḵem bir·ḵō·wṯ bir·ḵōṯ birchaTecha birchaTi birChot birchoteiChem birKat birkaṯ birkaṯ- ḇirkaṯ- birḵāṯeḵā ḇirḵāṯeḵā birḵāṯî birḵōṯ birḵōwṯ birḵōwṯêḵem bivraChah hab·bə·rā·ḵāh hab·bə·rā·ḵō·wṯ haḇ·rā·ḵāh habberaChah habberaChot habbərāḵāh habbərāḵōwṯ haḇrāḵāh havraChah kə·ḇir·ḵā·ṯōw kə·ḇir·kaṯ kəḇirkaṯ kəḇirḵāṯōw kevirchaTo kevirKat liḇ·rā·ḵāh liḇrāḵāh livraChah ū·ḇə·rā·ḵāh ū·ḇir·ḵā·ṯî ū·mib·bir·ḵā·ṯə·ḵā ūḇərāḵāh ūḇirḵāṯî umibbirChatecha ūmibbirḵāṯəḵā uveraChah uvirchaTi veraChah veraChot virchaTecha virkat
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