When I took a course on Dante my professor had a saying about translations. “They are like mistresses. They are either ugly and faithful, or beautiful and unfaithful.” In other words, readers need to approach translations with caution, because the nuances and the beauty of one language cannot be directly translated into another language. This is true in regard to meaning-rich language like the Florentine Italian of Dante, and even more true with Biblical Hebrew.
In most languages words can have multiple meanings. Consider the English word “address.” As a noun it can mean a talk, such as a valedictory address at a graduation ceremony. But it can also mean a description of a location, as in “the address is 123 N. Main St., Anytown, Anystate.” These two meanings are mutually exclusive – if the word is used to mean one, it cannot mean the other.
In translating and interpreting Biblical Hebrew there is a general rule that when words have multiple meanings, all of the meanings are valid. As a result, the Bible’s linguistic complexity lends itself to complex analysis and interpretation, as demonstrated in thousands of years, and millions of pages of commentary.
Solid interpretation begins with the words, so a word-by-word exploration of the Kohane Blessing follows below.
Verse 24:
| Hebrew | English and Notes |
|---|---|
| יְבָרֶכְךָ | May you be blessed. You have been, are and will be blessed. The “you” is singular. The first letter (יְ) makes the tense of this verb neither past, present nor future, indicating a timelessness which suggests both a promise and a hope. For my thoughts on this word being in the singular form, see the “Singularity” page. |
| יְהוָֹה | God. The blessing comes from God, not from an angel or a person. |
| וְיִשְׁמְרֶךָ | And may you be guarded. And you have been, are and will be guarded.The “you” is singular. Again the first letter makes the tense of this verb neither past, present nor future, indicating a timelessness which suggests both a promise and a hope. Again note that the form is singular. |
Verse 25:
| Hebrew | English and Notes |
|---|---|
| יָאֵר | Cause, or Will cause. Again, the first letter makes the tense of this verb neither past, present nor future, indicating a timelessness which suggests both a promise and a hope. |
| יְהוָֹה | God. Not an angel or a person. |
| פָּנָיו | Face, or front (singular, as opposed to faces or fronts). Of course God does not have a physical body. This anthropomorphism suggests that God should deal with you in a direct, personal, friendly and positive manner, as opposed to the idea of “turning His back to you.” |
| אֵלֶיךָ | Toward you (singular). Again, please note that this word is in singular form. Also, the anthropomorphic suggestion is of God directing positive and personal attention to you. |
| וִיחֻנֶּךָּ | and be gracious to you (singular). |
Verse 26:
| Hebrew | English and Notes |
|---|---|
| יִשָּׂא | Send, deliver, bring. Again, the first letter makes the tense of this verb neither past, present nor future, indicating a timelessness which suggests both a promise and a hope |
| יְהוָֹה | God. Not an angel or a person |
| פָּנָיו | Face, front (singular, as opposed to faces or fronts). |
| אֵלֶיךָ | Toward you (singular). |
| וְיָשֵׂם | And be done, implemented, actualized. |
| לְךָ | To you (singular). |
| שָׁלוֹם | Peace, completeness. |