Footnote

c According to the NIV Study Bible, the repetition of God’s name in these verses “is for emphasis and gives force to the expression in [verse 27].” Yet, some claim that the three occurrences of God’s name in those verses support the notion that God is a Trinity. This is not the case. A Bible commentary that supports the Trinity admits that the threefold use of the divine name “would not even have suggested any such idea to the priest who gave, or to the people who received, the benediction. To them the threefold form merely added beauty and fulness to the blessing.” (The Pulpit Commentary, Volume 2, page 52) For more information, see the article “Is God a Trinity?”