Deuteronomy 7:14

Thou shalt be blessed above all people: there shall not be male or female barren among you, or among your cattle.

Thou shalt be blessed {H1288} above all people {H5971}: there shall not be male {H6135} or female barren {H6135} among you, or among your cattle {H929}.

You will be blessed more than all other peoples; there will not be a sterile male or female among you, and the same with your livestock.

You will be blessed above all peoples; among you there will be no barren man or woman or livestock.

Thou shalt be blessed above all peoples: there shall not be male or female barren among you, or among your cattle.

Commentary

Deuteronomy 7:14 is part of Moses' final exhortations to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land, reiterating the profound blessings that await them if they remain faithful to God's covenant. This verse highlights a specific and vital aspect of God's promised favor: an abundance of life and productivity.

Context

This verse comes after a crucial passage where God commands Israel to utterly destroy the inhabitants of Canaan and avoid intermarriage or idolatry (Deuteronomy 7:1-6). God's choice of Israel was not based on their multitude or power, but on His love and faithfulness to the oath He swore to their fathers (Deuteronomy 7:7-8). The blessings promised, including the one in verse 14, are conditional upon their obedience to His commandments and statutes, forming a covenantal relationship (Deuteronomy 7:12).

Key Themes

  • Unparalleled Blessing: The phrase "Thou shalt be blessed above all people" underscores God's unique favor upon Israel. This blessing set them apart, demonstrating God's special relationship with His chosen nation.
  • Fruitfulness and Abundance: The promise "there shall not be male or female barren among you, or among your cattle" speaks directly to prosperity, health, and the continuation of life. In an ancient agrarian society, the ability to bear children and for livestock to reproduce was paramount for survival, growth, and the fulfillment of God's covenantal promise of numerous descendants. It signifies a complete absence of infertility and a flourishing population.
  • Covenantal Faithfulness: These blessings are not automatic but are a direct result of Israel's faithfulness to the Lord. God's desire was for His people to thrive in every aspect of life, both personally and communally, as a testament to His goodness and power.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "barren" is 'aqar (Χ’ΦΈΧ§ΦΈΧ¨), which literally means infertile or childless. Its absence, as promised here, points to a state of complete fertility and productivity. This was a profound blessing, as barrenness was often seen as a curse or a sign of divine displeasure in ancient Near Eastern cultures. The inclusion of "cattle" emphasizes the holistic nature of God's blessing, extending to all aspects of their livelihood and economy.

Practical Application

While the specific promises of Deuteronomy 7:14 were given to ancient Israel, the underlying principles resonate today. God still desires to bless His people when they walk in obedience and faithfulness to Him. For believers, "fruitfulness" can extend beyond physical offspring to spiritual productivity, the bearing of good character, and the expansion of God's kingdom. Just as Israel was called to be distinct, believers are called to live lives that reflect God's goodness, trusting that He will provide for their needs and enable them to be fruitful in their purpose. This verse reminds us that God's blessings bring life and abundance, both physically and spiritually, when we prioritize our relationship with Him and His commands, as seen in the broader context of the blessings for obedience in Deuteronomy 28.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 28:4

    Blessed [shall be] the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.

  • Psalms 127:3

    Lo, children [are] an heritage of the LORD: [and] the fruit of the womb [is his] reward.

  • Exodus 23:26

    There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfil.

  • Exodus 23:33

    They shall not dwell in thy land, lest they make thee sin against me: for if thou serve their gods, it will surely be a snare unto thee.

  • Leviticus 26:9

    For I will have respect unto you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, and establish my covenant with you.

  • Deuteronomy 28:11

    And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee.

  • Deuteronomy 33:29

    Happy [art] thou, O Israel: who [is] like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who [is] the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places.
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