Shemoneh Esrei: Blessings 14 & 15: Blessing for Building Jerusalem, and the Kingship of the House of David
Shemoneh Esrei: 14th Blessing – the Building of Jerusalem
- Blessing 14 and 15 were likely combined as one blessing in the early First Century and before. They are closely related, and are among the most Messianic in the Shemoneh Esrei.
- Jerusalem is the Place where G-d promised His Name would always be there. His return to Zion is the sign of ultimate redemption, the coming of the Messianic Age.
Scriptures for Binyan Yerushalayim [Building of Jerusalem]
And in that day it shall be - that living waters shall flow from Jerusalem, half of them toward the eastern sea and half of them toward the western sea; in both summer and winter it shall occur. And HaShem shall be King over all the earth. In that day it shall be "HaShem is one," and His Name one. All the land shall be turned into a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem. Jerusalem shall be raised up and inhabited in her place from Benjamin’s Gate to the place of the First Gate and the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananel to the king’s winepresses. The people shall dwell in it; and no longer shall there be utter destruction, but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited.
Zechariah 14:8-11
Thus says HaShem: 'I will return to Zion, and dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Jerusalem shall be called the City of Truth, the Mountain of HaShem of hosts, the Holy Mountain.'
Zechariah 8:3
Binyan Yerushalayim [Building of Jerusalem]
V’lirushalayim ir’cha b’rachamim t’shuv
And unto Jerusalem, your City, return in compassion
v’tishkon b’tochah ka’asher d’barta
and take your rest within it, as you have declared
uv’nei otah b’karov b’yameinu bin’yan olam
May you rebuild it soon in our day, an eternal structure
V’chisei David avd’cha m’herah l’tochah tachin
And speedily re-establish the kingdom of David
Baruch Atah HaShem, Bonei Y’rushalayim
Blessed art Thou, HaShem, Builder of Jerusalem
Shemoneh Esrei: 15th Blessing – Kingship of the House of David
- HaShem promised David that the Ultimate Redeemer, and the Ultimate King would come from his line. This blessing is a pleading for the Messiah to come and reign over us.
- This blessing uses Yeshua’s name repeatedly, although not as a name. In addition, the usage of the word “karen” [glow, manifestation] makes a powerful point of exactly Who Messiah is.
Scriptures for Melchut Beit David [Kingship of the House of David]
Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek HaShem their G-d and David their king. They shall fear HaShem and His goodness in the latter days.
Hosea 3:5
Then say to them, 'Thus says HaShem G-d: "Surely I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, wherever they have gone, and will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land; and I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king over them all; they shall no longer be two nations, nor shall they ever be divided into two kingdoms again. They shall not defile themselves anymore with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions; but I will deliver them from all their dwelling places in which they have sinned, and will cleanse them. Then they shall be My people, and I will be their G-d. "David My servant shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd; they shall also walk in My judgments and observe My statutes, and do them. Then they shall dwell in the land that I have given to Jacob My servant, where your fathers dwelt; and they shall dwell there, they, their children, and their children’s children, forever; and My servant David shall be their prince forever. Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them, and it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; I will establish them and multiply them, and I will set My sanctuary in their midst forevermore. My tabernacle also shall be with them; indeed I will be their G-d, and they shall be My people."
Ezekiel 37:21-27
Who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high...
Hebrews 1:3
There I will make the horn [karen = visual manifestation of the Presence of HaShem] of David grow;
I will prepare a lamp for My Messiah.
Psalms 132:17
Melchut Beit David [Kingship of the House of David]
Et tz’mach David av’d'cha m'herah tatz’miach,
The sprout of David Your servant, quickly cause to flourish,
v'karno tarum bishuatecha,
and exalt His power with Your salvation,
ki lishuat'cha kivinu kal hayom.
because for Your salvation we hope all day long.
Baruch Atah HaShem, matzmiach keren yeshuah.
Blessed art Thou, HaShem, Who brings forth the Manifestation of Salvation.