Definition and Etymology:
The term "benediction" is derived from the Latin "benedictio," meaning "blessing" or "to speak well of." In a biblical context, a benediction is a short invocation for divine help, blessing, and guidance, usually at the end of a worship service. It is a pronouncement of God's favor and peace upon His people.

Biblical Usage:
Benedictions are found throughout the Bible, serving as expressions of God's grace and peace. They are often used to conclude letters, prayers, or gatherings, providing a sense of closure and divine assurance.

Old Testament Examples:
One of the most well-known benedictions in the Old Testament is the Aaronic Blessing found in Numbers 6:24-26:
"The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the LORD lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace."

This blessing was given by God to Moses to instruct Aaron and his sons on how to bless the Israelites. It emphasizes God's protection, grace, and peace.

New Testament Examples:
In the New Testament, benedictions are frequently used by the Apostle Paul in his epistles. For instance, in 2 Corinthians 13:14, Paul writes:
"May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."

This Trinitarian benediction highlights the grace, love, and fellowship that believers receive from the triune God.

Another example is found in Romans 15:13:
"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Here, Paul emphasizes the hope, joy, and peace that come from faith in God, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Liturgical Use:
In Christian liturgy, benedictions are often used at the conclusion of worship services. They serve as a reminder of God's presence and blessing as the congregation departs. The use of benedictions in worship reflects the biblical tradition of seeking God's favor and guidance.

Theological Significance:
Benedictions are more than mere formalities; they are theological affirmations of God's covenantal relationship with His people. They remind believers of God's promises and His active role in their lives. Through benedictions, the church acknowledges God's sovereignty, grace, and peace, reinforcing the assurance of His presence and blessing.

Practical Application:
In personal devotions and family worship, benedictions can be used to conclude times of prayer and Bible study. They serve as a means of invoking God's blessing and presence in daily life, encouraging believers to live in the light of His grace and peace.

Conclusion:
While benedictions are often brief, their impact is profound, encapsulating the essence of God's blessing and presence with His people. They are a vital part of both corporate worship and personal devotion, offering a powerful reminder of the divine favor bestowed upon believers.1. (n.) The act of blessing.

2. (n.) A blessing; an expression of blessing, prayer, or kind wishes in favor of any person or thing; a solemn or affectionate invocation of happiness.

3. (n.) The short prayer which closes public worship; as, to give the benediction.

4. (n.) The form of instituting an abbot, answering to the consecration of a bishop.

5. (n.) A solemn rite by which bells, banners, candles, etc., are blessed with holy water, and formally dedicated to God.

BENEDICTION

ben-e-dik'-shun: From the earliest times the records bear testimony that pronouncing the benediction or giving the blessing was a common practice. In the temple service, this duty was assigned to the Aaronites and was made an impressive part of the service. The form of the benediction used is given in Numbers 6:22-27. References to this practice may be found in Leviticus 9:22 Deuteronomy 10:8 2 Chronicles 30:27. After a time, minute directions were given concerning it and careful preparation was made for this part of the service. All Aaronites, of proper age, were entitled to perform this service, except those who by previous conduct or on account of physical defect were disqualified. One who had killed another, whether intentionally or otherwise, who had violated the marriage vows, had given himself excessively to wine drinking or other excesses, or indeed had been guilty of unrighteous conduct or life, was not only prohibited from pronouncing the blessing, but was required to withdraw before this part of the service was performed. If one was blind even of one eye, or had a defect in his hands or speech, or was a hunchback, he was also excluded. Before the priest could engage in this service he was required to wash his hands. Then, with uplifted hands, while the people stood, he uttered the words of blessing. The main idea was that thus the name of Yahweh was put on the people. Later it came to be regarded as having some special blessing in and of itself, a result against which the more spiritual of the priests protested.

It was common not only to pronounce the benediction in the public worship but also in the family. We have such instances in Genesis 9:26, 27; Genesis 27:27-30. This practice prevailed also on many other occasions not only in Israel, but among the heathen as well. We may readily see, therefore, that from the very beginning of the Christian church the use of the benediction was common. In the course of time an extensive liturgy developed on this subject and it may be said that there are now three distinct ideas in the church as to the benediction. That section of the church which regards the minister as clothed with sacerdotal powers, holds that the blessings pronounced are actually conferred in the act of the utterance of the words, because of the powers conferred upon him when he was set aside for the sacred office. On the other hand it is held that it is merely a prayer that God may bestow certain blessings on the people. From this position others dissent, and teach that it is the declaration of the special privileges and relations in which those stand who have entered into covenant fellowship with Christ; that the blessings now declared are theirs by fight of that relation, and are conferred upon them by the Holy Spirit. The Greek and Roman Catholic churches take the first portion, and therefore we find among them much of detail and minutiae as to the manner in which it should be pronounced. In the Greek church the priest raises his hand with the thumb touching the third finger, signifying the procession of the Holy Ghost from the Father alone; or according to others to form the sacred name IHS. In the Roman church the form is, the thumb, first and second fingers are to be open, to symbolize the Trinity. In this church too, the benediction is pronounced in a multitude of cases and in each case the thing so blessed by the priest is made sacred. Crosses, church vessels, houses, paschal eggs, churchyards, are thus blessed. Every parish has a collection of these forms of blessing in what is known as the "Benedictionale." The authority for this is based on some documents claiming to reach back to early church history, but as they belong to the forged decretal class, the position of the Roman church on this subject is untenable.

Apostolic benedictions, as we find them in the epistles, present considerable variety. One of the striking features is that in a number of cases there is the omission of the Holy Ghost. The best explanation seems to be that the Father and the Son effect the redemption of the world and the Holy Ghost applies the blessing so wrought out. "Grace, mercy and peace" may then be said to be sent from the Father and the Son through the Holy Ghost to be the possession of all who have come into the kingdom. The third person of the Trinity, being thus in the act of applying the blessing, is not mentioned. The fact that in other cases Father, Son and Holy Ghost are mentioned, proves that the writers knew the character and office of the Holy Ghost. The most common form used today is that in 2 Corinthians 13:14. Occasionally some changes are introduced by ministers, but it would seem best to adhere strictly to the Scriptural forms.

See BLESSING; SALUTATION.

Jacob W. Kapp

2129. eulogia -- praise, blessing
... the same as eulogeo; fine speaking, ie Elegance of language; commendation ("eulogy"),
ie (reverentially) adoration; religiously, benediction; by implication ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2129.htm - 7k

2127. eulogeo -- to speak well of, praise
... bless, praise. From a compound of eu and logos; to speak well of, ie (religiously)
to bless (thank or invoke a benediction upon, prosper) -- bless, praise. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2127.htm - 8k

1293. berakah -- a blessing
... blessing, liberal, pool, present. From barak; benediction; by implication prosperity --
blessing, liberal, pool, present. see HEBREW barak. 1292, 1293. ...
/hebrew/1293.htm - 6k

The Benediction.
... EXPOSITION OF THE APOCALYPSE. The Benediction. "Happy is he, who readeth,
and those, who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the benediction.htm

Benediction
... No. 243 a BENEDICTION. BENEDICTION Adoremus: Laudate Dominum (No.1) Psalm Tones.
Instead of the "Adoremus" the Invocation to the Sacred ...
/.../various/the st gregory hymnal and catholic choir book/no 243 a benediction.htm

A New Year's Benediction
... A New Year's Benediction. A Sermon (No.292). Delivered on Sabbath Morning, January
1st, 1860, by the. REV. CH SPURGEON. At Exeter Hall, Strand. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/a new years benediction.htm

High Mass, Requiems, Benediction
... No. 259 HIGH MASS, REQUIEMS, BENEDICTION. HIGH MASS, REQUIEMS, BENEDICTION
VESPERS, PONTIFICAL BLESSING, ETC. ... R. Amen. BENEDICTION. ...
/.../the st gregory hymnal and catholic choir book/no 259 high mass requiems.htm

The Blessed Sacrament Motets for Benediction
... No. 226a THE BLESSED SACRAMENT Motets for Benediction. THE BLESSED SACRAMENT Motets
for Benediction O Salutaris Hostia (No.1) (Verbum Supernum Prodiens). ...
/.../the st gregory hymnal and catholic choir book/no 226a the blessed sacrament.htm

Processions, Benediction, 40 Hours'
... No. 241a PROCESSIONS, BENEDICTION, 40 HOURS'. PROCESSIONS, BENEDICTION, 40 HOURS'
Pange Lingua (No.1) (Tantum Ergo). Gregorian Vatican Graduale. Third Mode. ...
/.../no 241a processions benediction 40.htm

Peter's Benediction.
... Book III. Chapter L."Peter's Benediction. "You therefore who are turned
to the Lord by repentance, bend to Him your knees." When ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter l peters benediction.htm

Briggs' Coll. Benediction.
... IV. REMEMBRANCE OF CHRIST. 164. 6 & 10s. M. Briggs' Coll. Benediction. 1
The peace which God bestows Through him who died and rose ...
/.../various/book of hymns for public and private devotion/164 6 & 10s m.htm

A New Year's Benediction
... A New Year's Benediction. A Sermon (No.3387). Published on Thursday, January 1st,
1914,. Delivered by. CH SPURGEON,. At [1]the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 60 1914/a new years benediction.htm

The Corinthians are Exhorted Speedily to Send Back Word that Peace ...
... Corinthians. Chapter LXV."The Corinthians are Exhorted Speedily to Send Back
Word that Peace Has Been Restored. The Benediction. Send ...
/.../keith/the epistles of clement/chapter lxv the corinthians are exhorted.htm

Benediction
... 3. (n.) The short prayer which closes public worship; as, to give the
benediction. ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BENEDICTION. ...
/b/benediction.htm - 12k

Bless (174 Occurrences)
... We have many examples of apostolic benediction (2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians
6:23, 24; 2 Thessalonians 3:16, 18; Hebrews 13:20, 21; 1 Peter 5:10, 11). ...
/b/bless.htm - 46k

Psalms (44 Occurrences)
... Psalter. The Psalter is divided, after the analogy of the Pentateuch, into
five books, each closing with a doxology or benediction: ...
/p/psalms.htm - 54k

Synagogue (52 Occurrences)
... The Almoners 6. The Service (1) Recitation of the "Shema` " (2) Prayers (3) Reading
of the Law and the Prophets (4) The Sermon (5) The Benediction LITERATURE 1 ...
/s/synagogue.htm - 50k

Galatians (2 Occurrences)
... of the Spirit, and in a right use of their Christian freedom (5-6:1-10); (4) and
then concludes with a summary of the topics discussed, and with the benediction...
/g/galatians.htm - 43k

Feet (2931 Occurrences)
... finished washing and wiping the feet of another, he takes him by the hand and greets
him with the "holy kiss," usually with an appropriate benediction as: "God ...
/f/feet.htm - 17k

Romans (8 Occurrences)
... are followed by a conclusion containing personal explanations and salutations, which
contain the names of twenty-four Christians at Rome, a benediction, and a ...
/r/romans.htm - 44k

Peor (14 Occurrences)
... When he looked on the tribes encamped in the acacia groves below him, he could not
refrain from giving utterance to a remarkable benediction (24:1-9). Balak ...
/p/peor.htm - 13k

Bene-be'rak (1 Occurrence)
Bene-be'rak. Bene-berak, Bene-be'rak. Benediction . Multi-Version Concordance ...
Bene-berak, Bene-be'rak. Benediction . Reference Bible.
/b/bene-be'rak.htm - 6k

Balaam (62 Occurrences)
... parables; in fact, his spirit even soared to greater heights and from his lips fell
glowing words of praise and admiration, of benediction and glorious prophecy ...
/b/balaam.htm - 38k

If a person leaves church before the benediction, is the blessing lost? | GotQuestions.org

What is a benediction in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Aaronic Blessing? | GotQuestions.org

Benediction: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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