• Blessing
    Insight on the Scriptures, Volume 1

    • Humans Blessing Jehovah. Humans bless Jehovah primarily by praising him. Expressing gratitude, acknowledging Jehovah as the one from whom all blessings flow, speaking well of him on every occasion, and performing acts of adoration and service also bless Jehovah. (Ps 26:12) Preaching the good news is a way of blessing Jehovah, since it praises his name and purposes.​—Mt 24:14; Heb 13:15.

      Men have blessed Jehovah for delivering his people from oppression (Ex 18:9, 10); for providing their needs (De 8:10); for his dignity, mightiness, rulership, and beauty as Head over all (1Ch 29:10-12, 20); for moving his people to support his worship (2Ch 31:8); in prayer of confession because of his covenant keeping and mercy (Ne 9:5, 31, 32); for giving wisdom and might (Da 2:19-23); for protecting his servants and demonstrating his sovereignty (Da 3:28; 4:34). The book of Psalms constantly blesses Jehovah and calls for all in heaven and earth to praise his name for his many magnificent qualities. Another reason for man’s blessing Jehovah is the gift of his Son Jesus Christ.​—Ps 16:7; 103:1, 20-22; 145:2, 10; Joh 3:16; compare Ac 2:8-11; Re 7:11, 12; 14:6, 7.

      Humans Blessing Christ. Jesus himself is also to be blessed by all. Elizabeth blessed Jesus’ mother Mary and the yet unborn fruit of her womb. (Lu 1:42) Jesus’ heavenly origin, his coming in Jehovah’s name as his Son, his ministry, his sacrifice, his priesthood, his kingship, and his undeserved kindness all justly warrant his being hailed as a blessed one. (Joh 12:13; 2Co 8:9; Heb 1:2; 7:24-26) In fulfillment of Psalm 118:26, the crowd welcomed him as the blessed one of Jehovah on his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. (Mt 21:9) Angelic creatures and earthlings are all to bless him.​—Re 5:12, 13.

      Humans Blessing Other Humans. In contrast to Jehovah, who always fulfills the blessing He speaks, when a human pronounces a blessing on another human he may not have the ability to fulfill it. In the Bible, man’s pronouncement of a blessing often amounts to an appeal for divine blessing, even though not necessarily expressed in a prayer. So while man may be the intended object of such a blessing, the Source is admittedly God himself. Again, man’s blessing of other men may often constitute an expression of gratitude, an appreciative acknowledgment of fine qualities or of a job well done.

      It is with reference to being able to bless with effectiveness, to have the authority from God to bless or the power to carry out the blessing, that Paul, in arguing the superiority of Melchizedek’s priesthood over that of Levi, expresses the principle: “Now without any dispute, the less is blessed by the greater.” (Heb 7:7) Melchizedek was a priest of God and a king and could speak for God authoritatively and prophetically in giving Abraham a blessing.​—Ge 14:18-20; Heb 7:1-4.

      When individuals have done something that contributes to Jehovah’s praise, others have seen fit to pronounce a blessing on them. Moses blessed Bezalel and the other workers at their completion of the tabernacle construction. (Ex 39:43) The priests and Levites, as spiritual leaders of Israel, were appointed to bless the people on numerous occasions. (Nu 6:23-27; Le 9:22, 23; De 10:8; 21:5; 1Ch 23:13; 2Ch 30:27) High Priest Eli blessed Samuel’s parents for the gift of their child to temple service. (1Sa 2:20, 21) David blessed the people after he had brought the Ark to Jerusalem. (2Sa 6:18; 1Ch 16:2) Solomon wisely followed the same course when he dedicated the temple to Jehovah. (1Ki 8:14, 55) Aged Simeon blessed Jesus’ parents. (Lu 2:34) Jesus blessed the children who came to him.​—Mr 10:16.

      Occasions for Expressing Blessing. In prayer, one praises and thanks God, blessing him, and, in turn, speaks on behalf of those united in faith and those seeking God, blessing them.