Bible Strands
Numbers 6:25
may the LORD cause His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The priests speak this as a commanded blessing over the Israelites, the second line of a three-part benediction (Numbers 6:24–26).
The words — ya'Er (יָאֵר), "may he make shine," is a jussive expressing a wish rather than a statement; chuNeN (יְחַנֶּךָ), "may he show favor," is a Hiphil jussive that frames grace as an active bestowal.
The thread — The same "make your face shine" language recurs in Psalms 80:19, 119:135, and 31:16, where it is paired with a plea for salvation or instruction.
Why it lands — The verse places the initiative entirely on God's side: the recipient's only task is to be the object of a blessing they did not earn or perform.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
Cross-references
- Psalms 80:19 Restore us, O LORD God of Hosts; cause Your face to shine upon us, that we may be saved.
- Psalms 119:135 Make Your face shine upon Your servant, and teach me Your statutes.
- Psalms 31:16 Make Your face shine on Your servant; save me by Your loving devotion.
- Psalms 67:1 For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. A Psalm. A song. May God be gracious to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us, Selah
- Daniel 9:17 So now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of Your servant. For Your sake, O Lord, cause Your face to shine upon Your desolate sanctuary.
- Exodus 33:19 “I will cause all My goodness to pass before you,” the LORD replied, “and I will proclaim My name—the LORD—in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”
- Psalms 80:7 Restore us, O God of Hosts, and cause Your face to shine upon us, that we may be saved.
- Malachi 1:9 “But ask now for God’s favor. Will He be gracious? Since this has come from your hands, will He show you favor?” asks the LORD of Hosts.
- Genesis 43:29 When Joseph looked up and saw his brother Benjamin, his own mother’s son, he asked, “Is this your youngest brother, the one you told me about?” Then he declared, “May God be gracious to you, my son.”
- John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.