Aaronic benediction

religion

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 22, 2026

Quick Summary

The Aaronic benediction is a verbal blessing invoked in God's name, typically at the end of a religious service. It is found in the Book of Numbers and begins with the words, "May the Lord bless you and keep you". This benediction has been incorporated into various Christian liturgies, including those of Lutherans and the Roman Catholic Church. In Judaism, a similar concept is known as a "berakah," which is an expression of praise or thanks directed to God, often beginning with "Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the Universe". These blessings are recited during synagogue services, private prayer, or before performing commandments.123

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

3 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

benediction
The Aaronic benediction (Numbers 6:24–26) was incorporated by Martin Luther into his German mass and is preserved by modern Lutherans because of its impressive dignity; it is also used in the Mozarabic liturgy of Spain before the reception of
Read More
The Aaronic benediction (Numbers 6:24–26) was incorporated by Martin Luther into his German mass and is preserved by modern Lutherans because of its impressive dignity; it is also used in the Mozarabic liturgy of Spain before the reception of
Read More