The LORD lift up his countenance on you, and give you peace.
lift up
Psalm 4:6 There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.
Psalm 42:5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
Psalm 89:15 Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.
give thee
Psalm 29:11 The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.
Isaiah 26:3,12 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee…
Isaiah 57:19 I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him.
and give you peace.
The Hebrew word for peace, "shalom," encompasses more than the absence of conflict; it implies completeness, welfare, and harmony. In the context of the Aaronic Blessing, peace is a divine gift that results from God's favor and presence. Historically, Israel's peace was often contingent on their covenant relationship with God, as seen in Leviticus 26:6, where obedience leads to peace in the land. This peace is not merely external but internal, reflecting a state of wholeness and well-being. In the New Testament, Jesus is referred to as the "Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6), fulfilling the promise of ultimate peace through reconciliation with God. The peace given by God is a foretaste of the eternal peace believers will experience in God's kingdom, as described in Revelation 21:4, where all sources of unrest are removed.
• “Lift up” speaks of God actively turning His face in attentive favor. He is not distant or distracted but personally involved (Psalm 34:15; 2 Chronicles 16:9).
• “His countenance” means His face—His very presence. When the Father looks upon us with delight, blessing follows (Psalm 67:1; Psalm 80:3).
• The phrase assures the believing community that the covenant-keeping God chooses to notice, hear, and respond. It is the opposite of Him hiding His face in displeasure (Deuteronomy 31:17; Isaiah 59:2).
Practical takeaway:
– Expectant confidence replaces fear because God’s gaze is on His people.
– Identity and worth are anchored in His approval, not in human applause (Psalm 139:1–3).
• “Peace” (shalom) is more than the absence of conflict; it is wholeness, safety, and settled well-being that only God can bestow (Isaiah 26:3; Psalm 29:11).
• The sequence matters: God’s favorable look becomes the source of inward and outward peace (John 14:27; Philippians 4:6-7).
• This peace includes:
– Restored relationship with God (Romans 5:1).
– Inner tranquility amid trials (John 16:33).
– Harmonious community life (Colossians 3:15).
Daily implications:
– Trust His sovereignty; His lifted face guarantees sufficient grace for each circumstance (2 Thessalonians 3:16).
– Pursue reconciliation knowing His peace empowers peacemakers (Matthew 5:9; James 3:18).
Numbers 6:26 promises that the covenant LORD turns His shining face toward His people and, from that place of personal favor, grants the full-orbed peace every heart longs for. His attentive presence is the fountain; His peace is the flowing stream. Rest in the assurance that the God who sees you also guards you with His perfect peace.
Verse 26. - The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee. Ἐπάραὶ.. τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ σέ, Septuagint. This clause seems to repeat the last in a somewhat stronger form, as implying more personal and individual attention from the Lord. His face shines upon all that love him, as the sun shines wherever no clouds intervene; but his face is lifted up to that soul for which he has a more special regard. נָשָׂא פָגִים אֶל seems to mean the same thing as נָשָׂא עֵינַיִם or שִׂיס (Genesis 43:29, ἀναβλέψας... τοῖς ὐφθαλμοῖς αὐτοῦ; 44:21). To lift up the eyes or the face upon any one is to look upon that one with peculiar and tender interest. And give thee peace (shalom). This peace, being the perfect fruit in experience of the grace which comes from God, forms the climax and conclusion of the benediction.