In the Old Testament, a father’s blessing was seen as incredibly important and valuable. There are a few key reasons why:
1. A father’s blessing passed on the family inheritance and leadership
The blessing given by the father over his sons formally passed on the inheritance and leadership of the family or clan to the next generation (Gen 27:1-40). The father’s blessing conferred birthright privileges and responsibilities. The firstborn son especially was given a double portion of the inheritance and was expected to take on leadership responsibilities after the father died or stepped down (Deut 21:15-17). The blessing ceremonially conferred these hereditary privileges.
For example, when Isaac blessed Jacob instead of Esau, it gave Jacob the birthright privileges and leadership of the clan despite being the younger brother (Gen 27:1-40). This highlights how significant the father’s spoken blessing was.
2. A father’s blessing invoked God’s favor and protection
The blessing was not just a ceremony – it was believed that the actual spoken blessing invoked God’s real spiritual favor and protection on the life of the son. It was not merely a hope or prayer, but a potent imparting of divine blessing. The father, as patriarch of the household, had authority to impart a real spiritual blessing on his descendants.
For instance, when Isaac blessed Jacob, he said: “May God give you heaven’s dew and earth’s richness – an abundance of grain and new wine. May nations serve you and peoples bow down to you” (Gen 27:28-29). This was a real invoking of God’s prosperity and favor, not just empty words.
3. A father’s blessing showed acceptance and relationship
A father giving his blessing to a son also represented acceptance, approval and close relationship. The desire for this acceptance drove Jacob and Esau to seek Isaac’s blessing (Gen 27). The father-son bond was very important in biblical families, so the blessing cemented this relationship.
For example, the prodigal son in Luke 15 longed for reconciliation with his father, and the father welcomed him back with open arms and blessing. The blessing showed restored relationship (Luke 15:11-32). This was highly valued.
4. Greater potential consequences fell on those without a blessing
There could be significant consequences for sons who did not receive a father’s blessing. They may lose status, inheritance, protection and relationship unless their father accepted them back into fellowship. For instance, Esau deeply lamented the loss of blessing: “Bless me too, my father!” (Gen 27:34).
As a result, when the blessing was passed down, it was important that all the sons were included so none missed out on their father’s favor. For example, Jacob blessed all his sons before he died, not just Reuben the firstborn (Gen 49:1-28).
5. The father’s blessing highlighted the authority of the patriarch
The immense value placed on the blessing emphasized the position of the father as patriarchal head of his family and clan. His spoken blessing determined the future privileges and protections his sons would carry. The authority of the father’s prophetic blessing was tied to his position as spiritual head of his household.
Hence, the solemn blessing ceremony before the father’s death reinforced his lasting spiritual influence over the household and his successors, even after his passing.
6. It was believed God would fulfill the spoken blessing
Fathers would pronounce very specific future blessings over their sons, such as leadership, prosperity, fertility of land and produce, military victory and regional dominance. This reflected the belief that God would bring these spoken blessings to fruition in the son’s life in the future.
For example, Jacob declared Judah would have supremacy over his brothers and the dominion of leaders would not depart from him (Gen 49:8-12). This was a prophecy that was believed to be fulfilled.
7. The blessing secured the transmission of the covenant
The Abrahamic covenant passed down from generation to generation through Isaac and then Jacob. The father’s blessing recognized the son’s place in the covenant which God established with Abraham and his descendants (Gen 12:1-3). It confirmed the covenant promises upon the son.
For instance, God told Abraham that “all peoples on earth will be blessed through you” (Gen 12:3). Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in turn blessed their sons with the promise of offspring, prosperity and land – reflecting the covenant.
8. A father’s blessingcountered any previous curses
In some cases, a father’s blessing specifically countered or reversed a previous curse spoken over a son. The blessing served to restore favor with both father and God where a relationship was broken.
For example, Jacob stole Esau’s blessing by deceit. But before he died, Isaac specially blessed Esau to counterbalance this previous curse-like rejection, removing hindrances to God’s favor (Gen 28:1-4). Here the blessing acted as a nullifier of curses.
9. Blessings invoked spiritual protection over the son
Fathers would regularly pronounce words of protection from harm and evil over their sons. This reflected the belief that their prophetic blessings shielded their sons from spiritual forces and enemies.
For instance, when Jacob blessed Joseph’s sons Ephraim and Manasseh, he invoked the blessing: “May the angel who redeems me from all harm bless the boys” (Gen 48:16). This sought spiritual protection.
10. There were grave consequences for stealing a blessing
Given the immense value placed on a father’s spoken blessing, there were grave consequences for any son who might deceive or steal a blessing. As Esau discovered, there was no recourse to swindle back the blessing once fraudulently taken.
This irreversibility even applied when Jacob pretended to be Esau to gain Isaac’s blessing (Gen 27:30-40). Once spoken, the prophetic blessing could not be undone or transferred back. The consequences of stealing a blessing were thus severe.
In summary, a father’s blessing in the Old Testament represented the formal passing on of inheritance, leadership and family privileges to the next generation. More than just words, the blessing invoked God’s tangible spiritual favor, protection and destiny over the son’s life. It also cemented the father-son bond and relationship. Given these layers of meaning, a father’s blessing was highly valued in the biblical world. Its power and favor were eagerly sought after and at times disputed.