[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/blessing/) [dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [B](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/b/) / blessing # blessing noun (a blessing, blessings) «blessing» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova. ## Everyday 1. (church) A blessing is a prayer asking God to protect and do good to someone or something, or God's favour itself; Christians believe blessings come from God. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/blessing/#m1) 2. A blessing is something good that you are glad and thankful for. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/blessing/#m2) 3. A blessing is permission or approval, as in «with my parents' blessing». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/blessing/#m3) 4. A blessing in disguise is something that seems bad at first but turns out good. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/blessing/#m4) ### In the lessons In church the priest gives a blessing at the end of the service; families say a blessing (grace) before meals; people say «count your blessings» to mean be thankful. In stories it tells the reader something good or approved has happened. Phrases: «count your blessings», «a mixed blessing», «a blessing in disguise», «give your blessing». ### Examples - The priest gave a blessing at the end of the service. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/blessing/#x1) - We say a blessing before dinner. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/blessing/#x2) - Good friends are a real blessing. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/blessing/#x3) - Missing the bus was a blessing in disguise, because we met Grandma on the way. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/blessing/#x4) - She married him with her father's blessing. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/blessing/#x5) - Count your blessings: you have a home and people who love you. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/blessing/#x6) - A big dog in a small flat is a mixed blessing. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/blessing/#x7) - Some men underrate their best blessings. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/blessing/#x8) ### Note Countable: a blessing, blessings. From the verb «bless» (bless, blessed). «Bless you!» is said after a sneeze. A «mixed blessing» has good and bad sides. Christians believe God's blessing is a gift, not a reward to be bought. ## In Jewish tradition In the Torah a blessing is God's gift of good things such as children, land, food and peace, or the words by which a father or leader hands such good on to someone. It is also what God sets against the curse. **Interpretation.** Tradition teaches that a blessing is passed on by words, as when Isaac blessed Jacob, and that Israel is to bless God in return. Moses sets before the people a blessing for keeping the commandments and a curse for turning away. ### Examples - Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse: (Torah DEU.11.26, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/B/blessing/#x1) - And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him. (Torah GEN.27.41, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/B/blessing/#x2) - And he said: 'Thy brother came with guile, and hath taken away thy blessing.' (Torah GEN.27.35, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/B/blessing/#x3) - Salvation belongeth unto the LORD; Thy blessing be upon Thy people. (Writings PSA.3.9, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/B/blessing/#x4) - The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and toil addeth nothing thereto. (Writings PRO.10.22, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/B/blessing/#x5) - He shall receive a blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. (Writings PSA.24.5, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/B/blessing/#x6) ### Note Countable: a blessing, blessings. From the verb «bless» (bless, blessed). «Bless you!» is said after a sneeze. A «mixed blessing» has good and bad sides. Christians believe God's blessing is a gift, not a reward to be bought. ## On Mova - [Trees and pragmatics of «blessing» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/blessing/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«blessing» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/blessing.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «blessing» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/B/blessing/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«blessing» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/blessing.html) on Mova free.