How to read this page

An Intertextuality Pair — one connection between two passages, shown as linked verse cards: the Later text and the Earlier text it quotes, alludes to or echoes. The Significance essay explains why the link matters and where it points in Christ.

Reference Type— how explicit the link is: Quotation, Allusion, or Echo
Connection Method(s)— how it carries meaning: e.g. Typology, Promise-Fulfillment, Analogy, Longitudinal Theme
Found via— where the connection was identified, e.g. the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge or an Anchor-Text Network

Graph View — tap the constellation icon in the top bar to see this page's connections as a web of light: gold points are passages, and the coloured threads are the connection types. Click any type in the graph's own legend to filter it in or out, and use the expand control for the full-screen night sky.

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Intertextuality Pair

2 Thessalonians 3:16 → Numbers 6:26

Echo

Later text

2 Thessalonians 3:16BSB

Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.

Earlier text

Numbers 6:26BSB

may the LORD lift up His countenance toward you and give you peace.’

+ 3 more earlier texts

Earlier text

Judges 6:12BSB

And the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon and said, “The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor.”

Earlier text

Ruth 2:4BSB

Just then Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and said to the harvesters, "The LORD be with you." "The LORD bless you," they replied.

Earlier text

Psalm 29:11BSB

The LORD gives His people strength; the LORD blesses His people with peace.

Significance

Paul's prayer "May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way" echoes the Aaronic blessing (Numbers 6:26 LXX)—"May the Lord lift up his face to you and give you peace"—which priests pronounced over Israel, positioning Paul in the priestly role of declaring God's blessing. Paul expands the formula by identifying the Lord as "the Lord of peace" (emphasizing peace is inherent in God's character) and adding "at all times in every way" (emphasizing comprehensive, continuous peace the Thessalonians need for both eschatological anxieties and internal church problems). The second part—"The Lord be with you"—represents a typical Jewish greeting (Judges 6:12; Ruth 2:4) expressing confidence in God's presence, which Paul applies to Christ, reflecting his pattern of transferring OT Yahweh language to Jesus. The connection between both parts is profound: peace comes from the Lord's presence—the Lord of peace gives peace by being present with his people, shifting the foundation of peace from external circumstances to Christ's presence and demonstrating pastoral wisdom in concluding difficult letters with blessing rather than further warnings.

Found via: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Reference Type: Echo
Connection Method(s): Analogy + Longitudinal Theme