The Priestly Blessing (2): Protect
"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and grant you peace." Numbers 6:24–26 (ESV)
As I mentioned in my previous post, the priestly blessing is composed of three separate blessings, each consisting of two parts. Last time I focused on the verb barak (בָּרַך), and today I will examine the meaning of the verb shamar (שָׁמַר), usually translated as " observe" and "keep, guard, and protect something valuable."
The word was first used in Genesis 2: 15 when man was put in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it, and later in the context of keeping God’s covenant [1], commandments [2], festivals [3], and His holy Sabbath [4].
A related Hebrew word shamiyr (שָׁמִיר) means “a thorn.” When ancient shepherds were out with the flock, away from the camp, over the night, they would construct a corral of thorn bushes that would serve as a hedge of protection around the sheep. A hedge would also prevent sheep from escaping into the wild.
It makes me wonder whether the blessing “May the Lord keep you,” may mean: May He guard you so that you do not fall prey to lions seeking to devour and away from His will and His blessings?
I have been thinking a lot lately about how we, created in His image and likeness, should live in this world. I have begun to realize that while seeking God's blessing and protection for my loved ones and myself, I should also pray that I would learn to bless (barak) and keep (shamar) other people. What a glorious cycle! Blessed by God, I can bless Him in return—by loving my neighbor with the love I have received from Him.
[1] Genesis 17:9 (ESV) [2] Exodus 20:6 (ESV) [3] Exodus 23:15 (ESV) [4] Exodus 31:14 (ESV).
You may learn to say the blessing in Hebrew here: