Digression: Blessing- בדח

Blessing is the divine power of goodness. 

The English word “bless” comes from the Latin signare = to strike the  sign (the cross). Of course, the term acquired this meaning only under  Christian influence. Religious science defines blessing as “self-acting  thought effect word” and as “Promise of healing power” (RGG3). 

In the OT, blessing is only thought of on this side as multiplication and  increase of the quality of life: It causes fertility, multiplication and  increase of life (Gen. 1:28: Be fruitful and multiply….). 

In addition to this blessing of creation, in the stories of the fathers there  is the election and the promise of land: I will bless you … and you shall  be a blessing (Gen. 12, 2 and the following similar passages). 

In this context, blessing is a “word of power“: it cannot be taken back. It  brings about what was spoken (Gen. 27,33: Jacob obtains the blessing):  I have blessed him – he will also remain blessed. 

Quite profound is Gen. 32, 27 (I will not leave you, you bless me): Even  the dangerous must become a blessing to the righteous. 

The most beautiful blessing in the OT is the liturgical blessing of Aaron  (Num. 6, 24: The Lord … let his face shine upon you… ) In the language  of the OT the strange “blessing God” (Ex. 18, 10) is the confessing  praise for the healing deeds. 

In the OT, blessing is the task of the father of the family (not only the  priests and prophets)

The limitation of the blessing to this world can only be overcome in the  NT. Most beautifully, certainly, in the great hymn to the Ephesians:  Praise be to God … who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in  heaven through Christ … (Eph. 1, 3). 

In addition to their religious content, the fathers’ stories certainly also  have an educational function and answer the questions: how do you  treat each other in the family, how do you treat the other clans and,  above all, your own siblings.