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Topical Study

BLESS, BLESSED, BLESSING

In the OT to bless means to pronounce the bestowal of benefits such as abundance, fruitfulness, success, prosperity, and longevity of life upon someone or something (Genesis 1:22, 28; 2:3; 17:6; Deuteronomy 28:1-14). In the NT the idea is to praise or speak well of someone, and when God blesses man it also includes provision of certain benefits. Man is able to bless God through worship, thanksgiving, and praise as a response to prior blessing from God (Genesis 24:48; 1 Kings 10:9; Job 1:20-21; Psalms 26:12; 96:2; 103:1-2, 20-22; Nehemiah 9:5; Luke 1:68; 24:53; 1 Corinthians 14:16). To some extent, men can bless or be a blessing to others (Genesis 12:2-3; 24:60; 27:4; 1 Kings 8:66; Luke 6:28; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Timothy 1:2), but God is still the ultimate source of such blessing (Genesis 12:1-3; Deuteronomy 15:14; 2 Samuel 6:18; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4). The term "blessed" is used to describe God Himself or human recipients of benefits, especially from God (Genesis 14:19-20; 24:31; 26:29; Numbers 22:6; 24:9; Deuteronomy 28:1-14; 2 Samuel 6:11-12; 1 Kings 10:8; Ezra 7:27; Psalms 28:6; Daniel 3:28; Romans 1:25; 1 Timothy 6:15). The term "blessing" refers to specific benefits either pronounced or actually bestowed by a superior acting as benefactor (Genesis 27:1-41; 48:20; Exodus 32:29; Deuteronomy 16:17; 2 Samuel 7:29; Psalms 133:3; Ezekiel 34:26; Ephesians 1:3; 1 Peter 3:9). While God's blessing in both the OT and NT includes physical and spiritual benefits (Genesis 24:1; 26:12-13; Deuteronomy 28:1-14; 1 Chronicles 4:10; Psalms 103:1-6; Matthew 6:33; Philippians 4:19; Colossians 1:12-14; 3 John 2), the NT places greater emphasis upon spiritual blessings (Acts 3:26; Galatians 3:8-9, 14; Ephesians 1:3).

upon God or His Son:

♦ by man:

♦ by angels:

• Psalms 103:20-21; Ezekiel 3:12

♦ by all creation:

• Psalms 103:22; 150:6

upon man:

by God

♦ upon individuals (particularly believers)

♦ upon Israel

• Numbers 22:12; 24:1; Deuteronomy 2:7; 7:14; 26:15; 33:29; Ruth 2:19-20; 2 Chronicles 31:10; Psalms 3:8; Ezekiel 34:26; Malachi 3:10; Romans 3:1-2; 4:9

by man

♦ according to divine plan

• Genesis 12:2; 27:27-29; Isaiah 19:24

♦ greater upon the lesser

• Genesis 14:19-20 (cf. Hebrews 7:1, 4, 6-7); 24:60; 27:27; 49:1-28; 1 Samuel 6:20; 2 Samuel 6:18-19; 1 Kings 8:14

♦ on special occasions

• Genesis 24:60; 47:27; Exodus 39:43; Numbers 22:6; Joshua 8:33; 15:19; Judges 5:24; 2 Samuel 14:22; 19:39; 1 Kings 1:47; 8:66; 2 Chronicles 6:3; Nehemiah 11:2; Solomon 6:9; Malachi 3:12

♦ at a departure

• Genesis 28:1; 31:55; Exodus 12:32

♦ as a greeting

• Ruth 2:4; 1 Samuel 13:10; 25:24; 2 Samuel 8:10; Psalms 118:26

♦ at an introduction

• Genesis 47:7, 10

♦ in the Lord's name

• Deuteronomy 10:8; 2 Samuel 6:19

♦ in general

• Deuteronomy 24:13; Proverbs 20:11; 31:28; Luke 6:28; Romans 12:14

♦ upon creation and things

• Genesis 1:22; 2:3; Exodus 20:11; 1 Samuel 9:13; Job 1:10; Ecclesiastes 10:17; Isaiah 66:3; Jeremiah 31:23; Ezekiel 44:30; Matthew 14:19; 26:26; Mark 11:10; Luke 24:30; 1 Corinthians 10:16; Titus 2:13

from God through man:

♦ through particular persons:

• Genesis 12:3; 14:19; 30:27; 39:5; 48:15-16, 20; Numbers 23:11; Deuteronomy 33:1; 2 Samuel 6:18; Psalms 72:17; 129:8; Jeremiah 4:2; Zechariah 8:13; Romans 15:29; Hebrews 11:20

♦ through OT priests:

• Leviticus 9:22-23; Numbers 6:23-27; 2 Chronicles 30:27

♦ nature of

conditions for:

♦ bless God's people:

• Genesis 12:3; 27:29

♦ persevere in seeking God's blessing:

• Genesis 32:28-29

♦ obey the Lord's word:

• Exodus 20:24; Deuteronomy 11:26-27; 28:1-14; Psalms 1:1-3; 119:1-2; Luke 11:28; John 13:17; James 1:25; Revelation 1:3; 22:7

♦ dedicate yourself to the Lord:

• Exodus 32:29

♦ help the needy:

• Deuteronomy 14:29; 23:20; Psalms 41:1-2; Proverbs 11:26; Luke 14:13-14

♦ have compassion upon others:

• 1 Samuel 23:21; 2 Samuel 2:5

♦ meditate in God's word:

• Joshua 1:8; Psalms 1:2-3

♦ take refuge in the Lord:

• Psalms 2:12

♦ practice purity of life:

• Psalms 24:3-5

♦ trust in the Lord:

• Psalms 40:4; 84:12; Proverbs 16:20; Jeremiah 17:7 (cf. John 20:29)

♦ practice justice and righteousness:

• Psalms 106:3; Proverbs 3:33; Isaiah 56:1-2

♦ reverence the Lord:

• Psalms 112:1-2

♦ seek God with all your heart:

• Psalms 119:1-2

♦ listen to godly wisdom:

• Proverbs 8:34

♦ be generous:

• Proverbs 22:9

♦ rebuke the wicked:

• Proverbs 24:25

♦ give to the Lord:

• Malachi 3:10

♦ practice the beatitudes:

• Matthew 5:3-11

♦ do not take offense at the Lord:

• Matthew 11:6

♦ believe God's promise:

• Luke 1:45

♦ be alert and faithful when Christ comes:

• Luke 12:37-38, 43; Revelation 16:15. John 20:29

♦ give to others:

• Acts 20:35

♦ endure temptation:

• James 1:12

♦ endure suffering:

• James 5:11

♦ bless those who are evil to you:

• 1 Peter 3:9

♦ suffer for righteousness and for Christ's sake:

• 1 Peter 3:14; 4:14

♦ be a participant in the first resurrection:

• Revelation 20:6

results of:

♦ ability to give out of one's abundance:

• Deuteronomy 15:14; 16:10; 2 Corinthians 9:7-11

♦ fruitfulness and prosperity:

• Psalms 1:3

♦ inheritance of the land:

• Psalms 37:22 (cf. Matthew 5:5)

♦ reverence for God:

• Psalms 67:7 (cf. Romans 2:4)

♦ enrichment without sorrow:

• Proverbs 10:22

hindrances to:

♦ disobedience:

• Deuteronomy 28:15-68; 29:18-28; Jeremiah 5:25; Malachi 2:2

♦ wickedness:

• Proverbs 3:33

♦ haste in gaining an inheritance:

• Proverbs 20:21

♦ sin unconfessed:

• Proverbs 28:13

♦ sin committed:

• Jeremiah 5:25

♦ pretension of

• Psalms 62:4; Zechariah 11:5; Malachi 3:15

This topic is from the Lockman Foundation.

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