1. Methodological considerations and the etymology of brk -- Methodology -- The etymology of brk -- Conclusions concerning the etymology of brk -- 2. History of the interpretation of blessing -- Johannes Pedersen -- Sigmund Mowinckel -- Johannes Hempel -- Claus Westermann -- Gerhard Wehmeier -- Josef Scharbert -- 3. God blessing man -- Promises of God's blessing -- The patriarchal blessing promises -- The covenantal blessing promises -- Wisdom retribution aphorisms -- The prophetic apocalyptic blessing promises -- Miscellaneous promises -- Statements of God's blessing -- statements of God's benediction -- 4. Man blessing man -- Declarative human blessing -- The testamental blessing -- Divination blessing pronouncements -- Miscellaneous declarative blessings -- Optative benedictions -- The priestly blessing -- Prayers for blessing -- Greetings and farewells -- Thanksgiving benedictions -- Benedictions of praise and congratulations -- Psalmodic concluding benedictions -- Miscellaneous wishes -- 3. Human benefaction. 5. The use of brk in the praise of God -- brk, piel in indicative statements -- The vow of praise -- The imperative call for praise -- baruk and meborak formulas with God as subject -- Euphemism: "Praise/worship" for "blaspheme" -- 6. Conclusions -- God blessing man -- Man blessing man -- Man praising God -- Magic and blessing -- The power of the spoken word -- Power transfer and blessing -- Deliverance and blessing -- Some close synonyms of God blessing man. ‎