An Insight into two Hebrew Words for the English word: “Bless”
Pastor Brad Abley: Biblical Educator and Author of 10 Books
“A Heart After God Devotional Volume 11:
Knowing God in a Deeper Way through Key Hebrew and Greek Words.”
Key Terms and Phrases:
To bless (verb): לְבָרֵךְ (L'varech).
Blessing (noun): בְּרָכָה (Berakhah).
Blessed (adj/verb): בָּרוּךְ (Baruch).
God bless you: אֱלֹהִים יְבָרֵךְ אוֹתְךָ (Elohim yevarech otkha - to a male) or אוֹתָךְ (otakh - to a female).
Pastor’s Corner: Pastor Brad writes…
Today I’m highlighting my Hebrew & Greek Devotional!
“The Hebrew Old Testament just fascinates me; I’m greatly rewarded and transformed each time I read it. I was reminded by someone today of the intriguing difference between two Hebrew words, translated “to bless.”
One is barak and the other ashar. Barak is used by God when He blesses a person (cf. Numbers 6:24), but there is no instance when He uses the word ashar to bless someone. Someone may be blessed by reason of a right relationship with Him, however (cf. Ps. 1:1).
On the other hand, when someone blesses or praises God (e.g., Ps. 34:1), the verb is barak but never ashar. Why is this? Hebrew scholar Victor Hamilton points out that ashar is reserved for man and can mean “envious desire” or “to be envied with desire” for trusting in the Lord.
But God is not man; He doesn’t need to trust man. He has no envious desire because He is complete within Himself, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This is the reason that God never pronounces man “blessed” with ashar.
In addition, when barak is used, the initiative comes from God; barak enables man to do a thing successfully. God can bestow His blessing on man even when man doesn't deserve it.
On the other hand, man usually has to do something – out of joyful obedience -- to be blessed. Finally, barak is a benediction but ashar is more of a congratulation, which explains it’s use, for example, in Ps. 1:1.[1]
[1] Victor P. Hamilton, “Ashar,” in Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, vol. 1, ed. R. Laird Harris (Chicago: Moody Press, 1980), 80.
For more insights, see my two devotionals on Key Hebrew and Greek words at Amazon
… To view all of Pastor Brad’s Books, go to the Amazon link below:
Pastor’s Corner
Hebrew and Greek Devotionals: For those who hunger and thirst to know God's Word better!
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