3. Men Are Said To Bless Their Fellow-creatures

when, as in ancient times, in the spirit of prophecy they predicted blessings to come upon them. From the time that God entered into covenant with Abraham, and promised extraordinary blessings to his posterity, it appears to have been customary for the father of each family, in the direct line, or line of promise, immediately previous to his death, to call his children around him, and to inform them, according to the knowledge which it had pleased God to give him, how and in what manner the Divine blessing conferred upon Abraham was to descend among them. Upon these occasions the patriarchs enjoyed a Divine illumination, and under its influence their benediction was deemed a prophetic oracle, foretelling events with the utmost certainty, and extending to the remotest period of time (see Bush, Notes on Genesis in loc.). Thus Jacob blessed his sons (Gen 49:1-28; Heb 11:21), and Moses the children of Israel (Deut 23:1-29). The blessings of men were also good wishes, personal or official, and, as it were, a peculiar kind of prayer to the Author of all good for the welfare of the subject of them; thus Melchisedek blessed Abraham (Gen 14:19; Heb 7:1,6,7). The form of blessing prescribed in the Hebrew ritual (Num 6:23-27) which Jehovah commanded Moses to instruct Aaron and his descendants to bless the congregation, is admirably simple and sublime: "The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: the Lord make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: the Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace" (Haner, De benedictione sacerd. Jen. 1712). It was pronounced standing, with a loud voice, and with the hands raised toward heaven (Luke 24:50). National blessings and cursings were some-. Times pronounced (Deut 27:12-26; 28:1, 68).