Numbers 6:22

Numbers 6:22, in plain English

God interrupts the Nazirite instructions to give Moses something new to communicate—a blessing that Aaron and his sons are to pronounce over the people.

Why it's here

You're at a significant pivot point. The detailed regulations about Nazirites just concluded, and now God shifts the conversation entirely toward blessing. This suggests that after all the rules and restrictions, God wants the people to know they're loved and sought after, not just regulated.

Who's speaking

God is speaking directly to Moses, shifting the tone from legal instruction to priestly blessing.

Where it sits in the story

This is a beautiful moment in Israel's story where the narrative moves from 'here's what you must do' to 'here's what God wants to do for you.' The priests become the mouthpiece of God's genuine desire for the people's wellbeing.

The scholarly reading

The text marks a transition where God speaks directly to Moses, preparing to deliver the Aaronic Blessing—one of Scripture's most theologically dense liturgical formulas.

Language and setting

After establishing the Nazirite law, God pivots to address priestly blessing—the mechanism by which holiness flows from God through Aaron's lineage to the broader covenant community. This represents the intersection of individual devotion (Nazirite vow) and corporate blessing mediated through institutional priesthood. The Israelites needed both personal consecration and priestly intercession.

Voice

The narrator, indicating divine speech; the voice of God addressing Moses

Significance

This transitional formula ('vayomer YHVH el-Moshe') appears repeatedly throughout the Pentateuch as the characteristic mode of God's revelation in the wilderness period. It establishes the priestly mediation that structures Israel's relationship with God—a theological principle that extends throughout Scripture until fulfilled christologically in Hebrews 7-10.

20The priest shall then wave them as a wave offering before the LORD. This is a holy portion for the priest, in addition to the breast of the wave offering and the thigh that was presented. After that, the Nazirite may drink wine.

21This is the law of the Nazirite who vows his offering to the LORD for his separation, in addition to whatever else he can afford; he must fulfill whatever vow he makes, according to the law of his separation.”

22Then the LORD said to Moses,

23“Tell Aaron and his sons: This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:

24‘May the LORD bless you and keep you;

Read all of Numbers 6 — A voluntary act of radical devotion — and at the end, the most beautiful blessing in Scripture: the Lord bless you and keep you.