is witness in tradition to blessing as a royal function (2 Sam 6:18; 1 Kgs 8:14, 55), but Deuteronomy itself links blessing firmly with the priests (10:8; 21:5), who, in the terms of Deuteronomic law, are members of the tribe of Levi in general. Given the new hierarchical patterns advocated by the author of Numbers it was necessary to specify that priestly blessings were the responsibility of the sons of Aaron alone. That there was also some uncertainty at the time about the proper text is also feasible.