to bless
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to bless
In the religious sense, to pronounce or ask for God's protection and grace for someone or something.
Der Priester segnete das Brautpaar nach der Trauung.
The priest blessed the bride and groom after the wedding ceremony.
The verb 'segnen' (to bless) belongs to the word family of 'der Segen' (the blessing). A blessing is the positive result of the act of blessing.
Der Priester sprach seinen Segen über die Gemeinde.
The priest gave his blessing to the congregation.
In its religious meaning, 'segnen' (to bless) always needs an accusative object. You bless someone or something.
Vor der langen Reise segnete die Mutter ihre Kinder.
Before the long journey, the mother blessed her children.
The figurative meaning is used in a fixed construction: 'mit etwas (Dativ) gesegnet sein' (to be blessed with something). The person is the subject of the sentence.
Er ist mit einer Engelsgeduld gesegnet.
He is blessed with the patience of an angel.
The expression 'das Zeitliche segnen' (to pass away) is a fixed phrase. 'Das Zeitliche' is a fixed accusative object here and cannot be changed.
Nach langer Krankheit hat er gestern das Zeitliche gesegnet.
After a long illness, he passed away yesterday.
This expression is a euphemism, meaning a softened way of saying 'sterben' (to die). It is used to express death less directly and harshly.
Er hoffte, erst im hohen Alter das Zeitliche zu segnen.
He hoped to pass away only at a very old age.
to die
'sterben' and 'das Zeitliche segnen' can both mean that someone is no longer alive. 'sterben' is the normal word and fits almost always. 'das Zeitliche segnen' is a fixed expression with 'segnen'. It sounds euphemistic and somewhat elevated or old-fashioned. You are more likely to hear it in stories, texts, or with a slightly ironic tone. In serious personal conversations, 'sterben' is usually clearer and more natural.
Der alte König segnete im Alter von neunzig Jahren das Zeitliche.
The old king passed away at the age of ninety.
Sein Onkel ist nach langer Krankheit gestorben.
His uncle died after a long illness.