Personal Blessings in Early Jewish Literature

A recurrent feature of the biblical narratives of the patriarchs and matriarchs is the bestowal of blessings by the patriarchs on their progeny. In its retelling of these narratives, Jubilees expands on these blessings and adds others that are not in the Bible: Terah’s blessing of Abraham before the latter departs for Canaan, Abraham’s blessing of Jacob, Isaac’s blessing of Levi and Judah, and—in an exception to the pattern of only fathers blessings sons—Rebekah’s blessing of Jacob (see “Rebekah Blesses Jacob”). In Jubilees’ retelling, Abraham and Isaac live long enough to know and bless their grandsons.

Another extrabiblical blessing occurs in Joseph and Aseneth, a romance about Joseph’s relationship with his Egyptian wife (see “Aseneth Succumbs to Joseph’s Charm”). Joseph initially repudiates Aseneth as an idolator, but then, full of compassion, he blesses her and prays for her conversion. For additional examples of blessings and curses, see Blessing and Curse.