Understanding the Phrase "God Bless You"

The phrase "God bless you" is a common English expression used to wish a person blessings in various situations, especially in response to a sneeze, when parting, or as a valediction.[1] The phrase has been used in the Hebrew Bible by Jews and by Christians since the time of the early Church as a benediction and as a means of bidding a person Godspeed.[2]

Origins and Legends

The locution "God bless you" is used in Christian benedictions.[3] In the Aaronic blessing, "Invoking the name of the Lord in this benediction transferred the name, the identity and presence, of God onto his people."[3] While used by clergy in Christian liturgy, the phrase "God bless you" is regularly used among believers with one another, who call upon God to grant the recipient of the phrase favor and protection.[4]

Theological Perspective

Blessing is the projection of good into the life of another.[5] It isn't just words; it's the actual putting forth of your will for the good of another person.[5] When you will the good of another person, you realize only God is capable of bringing that.[5] So, we naturally say, "God bless you." You can bless someone when you will their good under the invocation of God.[5]

Historical Context

During the Roman Plague of 590, Pope Gregory I ordered unceasing prayer for divine intercession.[6] Part of his command was that anyone sneezing be blessed immediately ("God bless you"), since sneezing was often the first sign that someone was falling ill with the plague.[6] However, the Pope Gregory story appears to be apocryphal.[7]

Cultural Significance

In some cultures, sneezing is seen as a sign of good fortune or God's beneficence.[8] Writing around 400 BC, Xenophon records a chance sneeze as being seen as a good omen from God.[9] Alternative responses to sneezing exist in various languages.

Misuse of the Term

Some argue that people throw the term "God bless you" around incorrectly, and that only those with Godly power or ordained to a high ecclesiastical rank should use it.[10] However, others argue that asking God to bless others is well within our limits as believers.[11] When we say "God Bless you," we are not giving any blessings from our own power, but we are praying to God to give you His blessings.[12]

Conclusion

The phrase "God bless you" is a way of expressing goodwill and wishing blessings upon someone, and it can be used by anyone as a form of prayer or expression of goodwill.[13]

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