The Aaronic Blessing — The Lord Bless Thee, and Keep Thee (KJV)

The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:

The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:

The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

Amen.

— Numbers 6:24–26 (KJV)

About This Prayer

This is the blessing God gave Moses for Aaron and his sons to speak over the people of Israel — often called the priestly blessing, and among the oldest prayers still in daily use anywhere in the world. Tiny silver scrolls bearing its words, dated to around 600 BC, are the oldest surviving fragments of biblical text ever found. Its three lines ask for God's protection, His grace, and His peace, all gathered in one warm image: the face of God turned toward you like sunlight.

When to Pray This

Speak this blessing over someone you love — a child at bedtime, a family member leaving home, a friend facing something hard. Many churches close worship with it, and many parents pray it nightly. It is a blessing meant to be given away.