Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of "blesses" in the Bible is deeply rooted in the relationship between God and His creation, as well as among individuals. The act of blessing is a significant theme throughout the Scriptures, encompassing divine favor, prosperity, and the impartation of spiritual and material benefits.
Divine BlessingIn the Bible, God is the ultimate source of all blessings. From the very beginning, God blesses His creation. In
Genesis 1:28 , it is written, "God blessed them and said, 'Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth.'" This initial blessing establishes the pattern of God’s benevolent intention towards humanity and the world.
God's blessings are often associated with His covenant promises. In
Genesis 12:2-3 , God promises Abram, "I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you." This passage highlights the reciprocal nature of blessings and the role of Abraham's descendants in God's redemptive plan.
Blessings in the Law and ProphetsThe Mosaic Law contains numerous references to blessings as rewards for obedience.
Deuteronomy 28 outlines blessings for Israel contingent upon their faithfulness to God's commandments.
Deuteronomy 28:2 states, "And all these blessings will come upon you and overtake you, if you will obey the voice of the LORD your God."
The Prophets also speak of blessings, often in the context of restoration and future hope. In
Jeremiah 17:7 , it is declared, "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him." This emphasizes the spiritual dimension of blessings, linked to trust and reliance on God.
Blessings in the Wisdom LiteratureThe Wisdom Literature, particularly the Psalms and Proverbs, frequently addresses the theme of blessings.
Psalm 1:1 begins with, "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers." This verse underscores the moral and ethical dimensions of living a blessed life.
Proverbs 10:22 states, "The blessing of the LORD enriches, and He adds no sorrow to it." This highlights the completeness and sufficiency of divine blessings, contrasting them with worldly gains that may come with trouble.
Blessings in the New TestamentIn the New Testament, Jesus Christ embodies the ultimate blessing. The Beatitudes in
Matthew 5:3-12 describe the blessedness of those who embody the values of the Kingdom of Heaven. For example,
Matthew 5:3 states, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
The apostle Paul frequently speaks of spiritual blessings in Christ.
Ephesians 1:3 declares, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms." This passage emphasizes the spiritual nature of blessings available to believers through their union with Christ.
Interpersonal BlessingsIn addition to divine blessings, the Bible also records instances of individuals blessing one another. These blessings often involve prayers for prosperity, protection, and divine favor. For example, in
Numbers 6:24-26 , the Aaronic blessing is given: "The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace."
ConclusionThe concept of "blesses" in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing divine favor, covenantal promises, moral and ethical living, and the ultimate blessing found in Jesus Christ. Through blessings, God communicates His love, grace, and purpose for humanity, inviting individuals to participate in His redemptive plan.
Strong's Hebrew
3000. Yeberekyahu -- "Yahblesses," the name of several Israelites... "Yah
blesses," the name of several Israelites. Transliteration: Yeberekyahu Phonetic
Spelling: (yeb-eh-rek-yaw'-hoo) Short Definition: Jeberechiah.
...1296. Berekyah -- "Yahblesses," the name of several Israelites
... "Yahblesses," the name of several Israelites. Transliteration: Berekyah or Berekyahu
Phonetic Spelling: (beh-rek-yaw') Short Definition: Berechiah....
1288. barak -- to kneel, bless
... bless is blessed (1), bless me indeed (1), bless them at all (1), blessed (167),
blessed be those who bless (1), blessed is everyone whoblesses (1),blesses...
Library
HeBlesses God for the Faith of his Little Girl
... HEBLESSES GOD FOR THE FAITH OF HIS LITTLE GIRL. "I came home one night very
late," says Brother Matthew Hale Smith (in his "Marvels...
The Blessing of God.
... blessing GOD, we think of praising Him. But blessing does not merely mean
praise, for GODblesses us. Again, sometimes we use it for...
Whether Holy Men who are not Priests have the Keys?
... his own act: this blessing can be conferred by any holy person in whom Christ dwells
by His grace, in so far as he excels in goodness the person whom heblesses...
The Charge of the Watchers in the Temple
... Godblesses us when He gives. We bless God when we thankfully take, and praise
the Giver.... But He does good to men when Heblesses them....
Discourse on the Good Shepherd.
... The world-ruling spiritblesses itself through the sacrifice of the people; the
Christ-spiritblesses the people through the sacrifice of self.] 12 He that is...
How to Dwell in the Fire of God
... The fire of God is the fire of love as well as the fire of purity; a fire thatblesses
and quickens, as well as a fire that destroys and consumes....
The Death of Moses
... Lastly, heblesses them, tribe by tribe, in strange and grand words, such as dying
men utter, who, looking earnestly across the dark river of death, see...
Matt. v. 1, 2
... is, since many are humble not willingly, but compelled by stress of circumstances;
letting these pass (for this were no matter of praise), Heblesses them first...
Blessing for Blessing
... Godblesses us; let us bless him.... Yes, but it must be in a modified sense. Godblesses
us with all spiritual blessings; but we cannot give him any blessings....
The Universality of Prayer
... influences. Itblesses man in every event of life, furnishes him help in
every emergency, and gives him comfort in every trouble....
Thesaurus
Blesses (18 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Blesses (18 Occurrences).
... Cursed be everyone who
curses you. Blessed be everyone who
blesses you." (WEB RSV).
...Curses (55 Occurrences)
... Let your mother's sons bow down to you. Cursed be everyone who curses you. Blessed
be everyone whoblesses you." (WEB RSV).... Everyone whoblesses you is blessed....
Cursed (115 Occurrences)
... Cursed be everyone who curses you. Blessed be everyone whoblesses you." (WEB KJV
JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV).... Everyone whoblesses you is blessed....
Bless (174 Occurrences)
... (1.) Godblesses his people when he bestows on them some gift temporal or spiritual
(Genesis 1:22; 24:35; Job 42:12; Psalm 45:2; 104:24, 35)....
Blessedness (6 Occurrences)
Nathan (42 Occurrences)
... Nathan at firstblesses the project, but that same night is given a Divine message,
and returns to tell the king that instead of David building a house for...
Omega (3 Occurrences)
... the Son. Godblesses Israel from 'aleph to taw (Leviticus 26:3-13), but
curses from waw to mem (Leviticus 26:14-43). So Abraham...
Jeberechiah (1 Occurrence)
... je-ber-e-ki'-a (yebherekhyahu, "Yahblesses"): The father of the Zechariah whom
Isaiah (8:2) took as a witness of his prophecy against Syria and Ephraim (circa...
Lioness (13 Occurrences)
... Numbers 24:9 He couched, he lay down as a lion, as a lioness; who shall
rouse him up? Everyone whoblesses you is blessed. Everyone...
Greedy (24 Occurrences)
... RSV). Psalms 10:3 For the wicked boasts of his heart's cravings. Heblesses
the greedy, and condemns Yahweh. (WEB NAS RSV NIV). Psalms...
Resources
What are the biblical principles for solid decision-making? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a blessing according to the Bible? What does the Bible mean by bless? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a quick summary of each of the 66 books of the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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