Biblical and theological understanding of the Word: הָָֽכ ָר ְּב in the Pentateuch

Abstract

The word "blessing" which first appears in the Bible is when Elohim blesses the creatures He created to reproduce and multiply in water and the air (Genesis 1:22). Elohim blessed humans to rule over nature and all creation (Genesis 1:28). Elohim blessed the Sabbath (Genesis 2: 3), he blessed people like Abraham (Genesis 12: 2-3; 18:18), Jacob (Genesis 28:14). Through Abraham, Elohim blesses his descendants and the nations. Blessings become ‘human life’ (Genesis 1:28). This research seeks to answer the questions: How does The Pentateuch speak of Elohim's Promise as a source of blessings? How does The Pentateuch speak of the authority of blessings? How does The Pentateuch speak of the purpose of a blessing? What about The Pentateuch is special? Talking about forms of blessing? How does The Pentateuch speak of the qualifications for blessings?. The results of Elohim's blessings can be divided into three major groups: (1) spiritual blessings are blessings related to powers that are beyond human strength, such as the blessing of salvation and the blessing of peace. (2) physical blessings are blessings that include physical needs (clothing, food, shelter, and health), such as blessings of long life, blessings of salvation, blessings of peace, blessings of flesh (blessings of long life, blessings of radiant faces), blessings of offspring, thanks to protection, thanks to wealth, thanks to prosperity, thanks to health, and thanks to honor. (3) The Blessing of Faith is a blessing given by Elohim because of his faith (belief; commitment), such as the blessing of obedience, the blessing of loving Elohim, the blessing of worshiping Elohim, and the blessing of influence.

Keywords

• blessing
• the pentateuch
• genesis 12: 1-3
• source
• authority
• purpose
• forms
• requirements