From Ritual Space to Ritual Text: New Light on the Background of the Priestly Blessing in Ancient Judah

Several recently discovered inscriptions from Israel and surrounding regions offer new light on the early history and function of the priestly blessing of Numbers 6:24–26. These inscriptions demonstrate that the blessing held a diverse set of functions related to both temple rituals and private religious practice during its earliest history in the biblical period. By extension, these inscriptions provide new insight into the background and meaning of the instructions for the priestly blessing found in Numbers 6:22–27.

Jeremy Smoak

(UCLA)
Sponsored By:
UCLA Alan D. Leve Center for Jewish Studies
Funding Provided by the
NEH Endowment in Jewish Civilization
Cosponsored By:
UCLA Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures