Benediction

A benediction (Latin benedictio, speaking well; Greek eulogia) is a formal blessing pronounced over persons, typically at the conclusion of a worship service or in a significant relational or covenantal context. The paradigmatic OT benediction is the Aaronic blessing given by God to Moses as the form of priestly blessing over Israel: "The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace" (Num. 6:24–26). God's own name is thereby placed upon the people (Num. 6:27). Patriarchal blessings carry covenantal weight: Isaac's blessing of Jacob (Gen. 27) and Jacob's blessings of his sons (Gen. 49) are prophetic-covenantal acts with enduring significance. The Psalms of Ascent (Pss. 120–134) contain benedictions associated with pilgrimage and temple worship. In the NT, benedictions appear at the conclusions of letters as theologically rich summaries: the grace benediction ("The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you," 1 Cor. 16:23; Rev. 22:21), the Trinitarian benediction (2 Cor. 13:14: "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all"), and the peace benedictions characteristic of Paul's letters. Jesus blesses his disciples at the ascension (Luke 24:50–51). The benediction in Christian worship is not a wish but a declaration of divine favor, commissioned and authorized by God.