The Hebrew verb בֵּרֵךְ (root: ב-ר-ךְ) means “to bless,” “to bestow favor,” or “to praise.” While the root can also be connected to the idea of “kneeling” (from a different form in the Qal binyan), in the Piel binyan—which is the most common form—the verb almost always means “to bless.” It is one of the most frequently used verbs in the Hebrew Bible in both divine and human contexts.
בֵּרֵךְ is almost exclusively used in the Piel binyan when referring to “blessing,” and it plays a major role in biblical theology and liturgy, including the priestly blessing, patriarchal blessings, and divine promises.
Piel Binyan Conjugation of בֵּרֵךְ
Past (Perfect) Tense
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 1st person singular | בֵּרַכְתִּי |
| 2nd person masculine singular | בֵּרַכְתָּ |
| 2nd person feminine singular | בֵּרַכְתְּ |
| 3rd person masculine singular | בֵּרֵךְ |
| 3rd person feminine singular | בֵּרְכָה |
| 1st person plural | בֵּרַכְנוּ |
| 2nd person masculine plural | בֵּרַכְתֶּם |
| 2nd person feminine plural | בֵּרַכְתֶּן |
| 3rd person plural | בֵּרְכוּ |
Present (Participle) Tense
| Gender/Number | Form |
|---|---|
| Masculine singular | מְבָרֵךְ |
| Feminine singular | מְבָרֶכֶת |
| Masculine plural | מְבָרְכִים |
| Feminine plural | מְבָרְכוֹת |
Future (Imperfect) Tense
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 1st person singular | אֲבָרֵךְ |
| 2nd person masculine singular | תְּבָרֵךְ |
| 2nd person feminine singular | תְּבָרְכִי |
| 3rd person masculine singular | יְבָרֵךְ |
| 3rd person feminine singular | תְּבָרֵךְ |
| 1st person plural | נְבָרֵךְ |
| 2nd person masculine plural | תְּבָרְכוּ |
| 2nd person feminine plural | תְּבָרֵכְנָה |
| 3rd person plural | יְבָרְכוּ |
Imperative Mood
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 2nd person masculine singular | בָּרֵךְ |
| 2nd person feminine singular | בָּרֲכִי |
| 2nd person masculine plural | בָּרְכוּ |
| 2nd person feminine plural | בָּרֵכְנָה |
Usage in Scripture
- Genesis 1:22 – וַיְבָרֶךְ אֹתָם אֱלֹהִים
“And God blessed them…” — the first blessing in Scripture. - Numbers 6:24 – יְבָרֶכְךָ יְהוָה וְיִשְׁמְרֶךָ
“May the LORD bless you and keep you.” — part of the priestly blessing. - Psalm 103:1 – בָּרְכִי נַפְשִׁי אֶת־יְהוָה
“Bless the LORD, O my soul.”
Summary
The verb בֵּרֵךְ carries immense spiritual and relational weight. It signifies a pronouncement or bestowal of goodness, favor, or empowerment. Whether God blesses creation, people bless God in praise, or patriarchs bless their children, this verb expresses the flow of grace, favor, and covenantal promise at the heart of biblical faith and community life.
