Each Hebrew word behind the English in this passage are filled with images that are lost in the English words. When we examine each of these words from their original contextual meaning the message in the passage comes alive.

LORD (Strong's #3068)
The word LORD (all uppercase letters) is, in the Hebrew text, the name of God - יהוה (Yahweh) and commonly called the Tetragramaton. In our culture we use names as simple identifiers, a word with no meaning that identifies an individual. But, in the Hebrews culture each name was a Hebrew word, or phrase, that has a meaning. In the case of יהוה it is the verb הוה (hawah) meaning to "exist" and the prefixed pronoun י (y) meaning "he." The name יהוה means "he exists."

Bless (Strong's #1288)
The Hebrews thinking processes were different then our own and no word demonstrates this better than this one. Every word in the Hebrew language was related to an image of action, something that could be sensed (as observed by the five senses - seen, heard, smelled, touched or felt) and in motion. The word bless however, is a purely abstract word which cannot be sensed or in motion. In order to interpret this word correctly we must find its original concrete meaning. In Genesis 24:11 we read, "And he made the camels kneel down outside the city." The phrase "kneel down" is the Hebrew verb ברך (barak). This same word is used to mean to kneel down to present a gift as one would do to show respect to another.

Keep (Strong's #8104)
The Hebrews were a nomadic people raising livestock. It would not be uncommon for a shepherd to be out with his flock, away from the camp, over the night. In order to protect the flock the shepherd would construct a corral of thorn bushes. The shepherd would then guard over the flock and the corral would be a hedge of protection around them. The image behind the Hebrew verb שמר (shamar) is this guarding and protecting of the shepherd and the corral over the flock.

Face (Strong's #6440)
The Hebrew word פנים (paniym) is a plural word and reflects the Hebraic sense of motion as the face reflects many different moods, emotions and thoughts. This Hebrew word can mean the face but also the "presence" or the "wholeness of being" of an individual.

Shine (Strong's #215)
The word אור (or), as a noun means "light" and as a verb, as it is used here, means to "give light" or "shine." It is also related to the idea of giving order as light, being the opposite of darkness, brings about order.

Gracious (Strong's #2603)
A nomads camp consisted of many family tents, arranged in a circle, and was viewed as a place of beauty. Not just the appearance of beauty but the action, a place of warmth, love, friendship, community and sustenance. The verb חנן (hhanan) is this concept of beauty.

Countenance (Strong's #6440)
This is the Hebrew word פנים (paniym) again meaning "face."

Give (Strong's #7760)
The Hebrew verb שים (siym) literally means to "set down in place."

Peace (Strong's #7965)
The noun used here is שלום (shalom) from the verb שלם (shalam). The verb shalam means to "restore" in the sense of replacing or providing what is need in order to make someone or something whole and complete. The noun שלום (shalom) is one who has, or has been provided, what is need to be whole and complete.

With the Hebraic understanding of each of these Hebrew words we can better understand the meaning of the Aaronic blessing as it was understood by the Ancient Hebrews.