When it is said
Israel’s priests spoke it over the people. Jewish parents have long said it over their children on the eve of the Sabbath and before they travel. Any parent can say it over a child, though no rule of the Church asks for it.
Where it comes from
Author known
God’s own words
The words are God’s, not the priests’. He gave them to Moses for Aaron and his sons, and He promised that in this way the priests would put His name on the Israelites and He Himself would bless them (Numbers 6:22-27).
The oldest copy of a Bible text
Two tiny silver amulets, found rolled up in a burial cave in Jerusalem, carry a version of this blessing. The Israel Museum dates them to the 6th century BC and calls them the oldest copies of biblical text known today. They are some 500 years older than the Dead Sea Scrolls.
The Israel Museum, the “Priestly Benediction” amulets (Google Arts and Culture)
The Scripture in it
‘May the LORD bless you and keep you; may the LORD cause His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; may the LORD lift up His countenance toward you and give you peace.’
Bible text: Berean Standard Bible, public domain.