BENEDICTION. (A word derived from Lat., the meaning of which is expressed by Heb. בְּרָכָה֒, H1388, blessing; אֹ֫שֶׁר, H891, happiness, blessedness; Gr. εὐλογέω, G2328, praise, bless; μακάριος, G3421, blessed, happy.) Benediction, a prayer found in Scripture in which divine blessings are invoked upon one’s own person or on others, or in which there is recognition that such blessings are present.

In such as Psalm 103 there is personal expression of one’s own thankfulness for God’s blessings in heart and life. In family relationships Noah pronounces divine blessings on Shem (Gen 9:26), Isaac calls down blessings on Jacob (27:27-29) and Jacob on Joseph and his two sons (48:15-16).

In the nation Israel, Moses pronounces God’s blessings on the people if they will obey the Lord (Deut 28:1-14). The classic OT benediction is the Aaronic one (Num 6:24-26). The practice of using a benediction in OT public worship is seen also in Leviticus 9:22; Deuteronomy 10:8 and 2 Chronicles 30:27, from which it is observed that such benedictions were to be given by the levitical priests in a service of worship and prayer. The physical posture could include a lifting up of hands toward the people (Lev 9:22).

In the NT rather full benedictions are found in Romans 15:13; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Hebrews 13:20, 21 and Jude 24, with emphasis on persons of the Trinity. Also there are short closing blessings in a number of Paul’s epistles and in 1 Peter 5:14, and 3 John 15.

Bibliography A. W. Blackwood, Leading in Public Prayer (1958), 77-85.