Blessing

Blessing in Scripture is the favour of God resting on a person, a family, or a people. It is not merely a general sense of wellbeing; it is the tangible expression of Yahweh’s covenant approval, bringing life, fruitfulness, and the enjoyment of his presence. Where blessing is found, God is near. Where it is absent, something has broken in the relationship.

The first act of blessing in Scripture is God blessing mankind at creation (Genesis 1:28). The scope broadens with Abraham: “I will bless you, and make your name great; and so you shall be a blessing… and in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” Blessing flows through Abraham to the nations. This is the pattern the rest of the Bible follows: blessing concentrated in a particular person or people, and then moving outward to include all who belong to them by faith.

The New Testament declares that in Christ, the blessing of Abraham has come to the Gentiles through faith (Galatians 3:14). The one who became a curse for us (Galatians 3:13) is the means by which blessing reaches all who trust in him. The articles below trace the theme of blessing across several key passages.

Primary focus

Genesis 47: Israel Blessed in Egypt, Egypt Enslaved to Pharaoh Genesis 47 Genesis 48: Jacob Blesses Ephraim and Manasseh Genesis 48

Also covers this theme

Ephesians 1: Every Spiritual Blessing in Christ Ephesians 1 Exodus 1: Bondage, Blessing, and God's Plan Exodus 1 A crowd looks toward Christ crucified on a hill beneath a stormy sky. Galatians 3 Galatians 4: Sons of Promise, Not Slaves of the Law Galatians 4 Genesis 10: The Table of Nations and God's Global Purpose Genesis 10 Genesis 12: Abram's Call, His Faith, and God's Promise Genesis 12 Genesis 14: Abram, Melchizedek, and the Unseen Hand of God Genesis 14 Genesis 21: The Birth of Isaac and the Banishment of Ishmael Genesis 21 Genesis 27: Deception, the Stolen Blessing, and God's Word Genesis 27 Genesis 30: Jealousy, Rivalry, and Yahweh's Sovereign Blessing Genesis 30 Genesis 32: Jacob Prepares to Meet Esau and Wrestles with God Genesis 32 Genesis 36: Esau's Descendants and God's Promise of Nations Genesis 36 Genesis 49: Jacob's Prophetic Blessing of the Twelve Tribes Genesis 49