Exodus 23:26

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

There shall nothing cast their young {H7921}, nor be barren {H6135}, in thy land {H776}: the number {H4557} of thy days {H3117} I will fulfil {H4390}.

Complete Jewish Bible

In your land your women will not miscarry or be barren, and you will live out the full span of your lives.

Berean Standard Bible

No woman in your land will miscarry or be barren; I will fulfill the number of your days.

American Standard Version

There shall none cast her young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfil.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 23:26, nestled within the covenant stipulations given at Sinai, articulates a profound divine promise of holistic flourishing for ancient Israel. This verse assures the absence of reproductive loss, whether through miscarriage or barrenness, for both humans and livestock, alongside the guarantee of a full, unshortened lifespan for individuals. It encapsulates God's benevolent desire for the complete well-being of His people, promising a land and a community vibrant with life, free from the sorrow of premature death or infertility, all contingent upon their faithful obedience to His covenant commands.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 23:26 is situated within the "Book of the Covenant" ([Exodus 20:22-23:33](/exodus/20-22-33 "Exodus 20:22-23:33 - The Book of the Covenant")), a foundational legal and ethical corpus that immediately follows the Decalogue. This section expands upon the Ten Commandments, providing detailed statutes concerning justice, social responsibility, religious observances, and the three annual pilgrimage feasts. The verses preceding our passage, particularly [Exodus 23:20-25](/exodus/23-20-25 "Exodus 23:20-25 - Angelic Guidance and Blessings"), outline specific promises of divine guidance, protection, and provision (blessings on food and water, removal of sickness) for Israel if they obey God's voice and serve Him. Verse 26 thus builds upon these preceding assurances, extending the scope of blessing to include reproductive health and longevity, thereby completing a comprehensive picture of covenant prosperity. These promises are not presented as unconditional but are explicitly tied to Israel's diligent adherence to God's commands, underscoring the reciprocal nature of the Mosaic Covenant.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** For ancient Israel, an agrarian society whose existence and prosperity were inextricably linked to agricultural and pastoral productivity, the promises in Exodus 23:26 carried immense weight. Fertility, encompassing both human procreation and the reproduction of livestock, was not merely a personal desire but a societal imperative for survival, growth, and national strength. Miscarriage, stillbirth, and barrenness were considered profound tragedies, often interpreted as signs of divine displeasure or curse, as evidenced in passages like [Deuteronomy 28:18](/deuteronomy/28-18 "Deuteronomy 28:18 - Curses for Disobedience"). Conversely, abundant offspring and thriving herds symbolized divine favor and blessing. Furthermore, longevity was highly esteemed, signifying a life lived fully and peacefully, free from premature death due to disease, warfare, or judgment. This promise of "fulfilling the number of thy days" speaks to a complete, natural lifespan, a tangible mark of God's protective care and the stability He offered within the covenant. These blessings were concrete expressions of God's covenant faithfulness, demonstrating His commitment to provide for and protect His people as they prepared to enter and settle the Promised Land, reinforcing the foundational principle that obedience to God's covenant ways brought forth His abundant blessings, a theme powerfully articulated in [Deuteronomy 28:1-14](/deuteronomy/28-1-14 "Deuteronomy 28:1-14 - Blessings for Obedience").

* **Key Themes:** Exodus 23:26 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Exodus and the Pentateuch. Primarily, it reinforces the theme of **Divine Providence and Provision**, showcasing God as the ultimate source of life, health, and prosperity for His people. It highlights the **Conditional Nature of the Mosaic Covenant**, where blessings are directly linked to Israel's obedience and faithfulness to God's commands. The verse also emphasizes the theme of **Fruitfulness and Abundance**, portraying God's desire for His people to multiply and flourish in the land He has promised them, contrasting with the barrenness and death associated with the curses of disobedience. Finally, it underscores the theme of **Holistic Well-being**, demonstrating that God's concern for His people extends beyond spiritual matters to encompass their physical health, reproductive capacity, and longevity, ensuring their complete flourishing as a nation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Cast their young (Hebrew, _shâkôl'_):** From H7921, the verb שָׁכֹל (_shâkôl'_) primarily means "to miscarry, i.e., suffer abortion." In its causative form (Hiphil stem), as used here, it signifies "to cause to miscarry" or "to be bereaved" of offspring. It encompasses both human and animal reproductive loss, including miscarriage, stillbirth, or the premature death of offspring. The promise here is a complete absence of such tragic occurrences, ensuring the continuation and growth of families and herds within the land.
* **Barren (Hebrew, _ʻâqâr'_):** From H6135, the adjective עָקָר (_ʻâqâr'_) describes a state of being sterile, infertile, or unproductive, as if "extirpated in the generative organs." In this context, paired with "cast their young," it specifically refers to the inability to conceive or produce offspring, whether human or animal. The divine promise negates any form of infertility, guaranteeing fruitfulness and abundance throughout the land and among its inhabitants.
* **Fulfil (Hebrew, _mâlêʼ'_):** From H4390, the primitive root מָלֵא (_mâlêʼ'_) means "to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)." In the phrase "the number of thy days I will fulfil," it signifies that God will ensure His obedient people live out their appointed, full lifespan, reaching old age without being cut short by disease, calamity, or violence. It implies a life brought to its natural, divinely intended completion, free from premature death.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"There shall nothing cast their young":** This clause promises the complete absence of miscarriage, stillbirth, or the premature death of offspring. This applies broadly to both human families and the livestock that were vital to Israel's economy and sustenance. It underscores God's active intervention to protect and promote life within the covenant community, preventing the sorrow and loss associated with reproductive failure.
* **"nor be barren, in thy land":** This phrase complements the first, assuring that there will be no infertility or unproductiveness among the people or their animals. It guarantees a state of continuous fruitfulness and growth, ensuring the increase of the population and the prosperity of their herds. The inclusion of "in thy land" emphasizes that this blessing extends across the entire territory God has given them, transforming it into a place of abundant life and productivity.
* **"the number of thy days I will fulfil":** This final clause promises longevity and a complete lifespan for individuals. It means that God will ensure His obedient people live out their full, divinely appointed time on earth, reaching old age without being cut short by disease, war, or other calamities. It is a promise of peace, security, and a life brought to its natural, peaceful conclusion, a significant mark of divine favor in the ancient world.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 23:26 employs several significant literary devices to convey its powerful message. The overarching device is **Divine Promise**, as God explicitly states what He "will" do for His people, emphasizing His active role as the benevolent provider and protector. This promise is framed within **Covenant Language**, highlighting the reciprocal relationship between God and Israel, where blessings are contingent upon obedience. The phrase "nothing cast their young, nor be barren" functions as a **Merism**, combining two contrasting but related ideas (loss of existing offspring and inability to produce offspring) to express a complete and absolute absence of reproductive failure. This comprehensive statement underscores the totality of the promised fertility. Furthermore, the verse functions as a **Divine Guarantee**, assuring Israel of God's unwavering commitment to their flourishing if they remain faithful, painting a picture of an ideal, blessed existence under His direct, protective care, an ideal for the nation as a whole.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 23:26 profoundly illustrates God's character as a God of life, provision, and holistic well-being. It reveals that His covenant with Israel encompassed not only spiritual and moral dimensions but also tangible, physical blessings essential for their flourishing as a nation. The promise of fertility and longevity underscores God's desire for His people to experience fullness of life, free from the sorrows of loss and premature death, allowing them to multiply and inhabit the land He promised. This holistic care reflects a God who is intimately concerned with every aspect of His creation and the well-being of His beloved people, demonstrating that true prosperity, in the biblical sense, is rooted in faithful relationship with the Creator, who desires their complete flourishing.

* [Deuteronomy 7:13-15](/deuteronomy/7-13-15 "Deuteronomy 7:13-15 - Blessings of Fertility and Health in the Land")
* [Psalm 91:16](/psalms/91-16 "Psalm 91:16 - Promise of Long Life and Salvation")
* [Proverbs 3:1-2](/proverbs/3-1-2 "Proverbs 3:1-2 - Long Life Through Wisdom and Obedience")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 23:26, while part of the specific Mosaic Covenant given to ancient Israel, offers timeless principles for reflection and application in our lives today. It reminds us that God is deeply concerned with our well-being, desiring for us to live full, fruitful lives. While the New Covenant shifts the primary focus from purely physical blessings as a direct result of legal obedience to spiritual and eternal ones received through grace in Christ, the underlying truth remains: God is our ultimate source of life, health, and provision. This verse encourages us to trust in His sovereign care over our lives, our families, and our future. It invites us to consider how our obedience and alignment with God's will, even in a New Testament context, can lead to a deeper experience of His blessings, not necessarily in guaranteed physical outcomes, but in spiritual flourishing, peace, and purpose. It challenges us to live in a way that honors God, trusting that He desires for us to experience the "fullness of life" that only He can provide, even amidst the realities of a fallen world where suffering and loss are still present.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the promise of "fulfilling the number of thy days" challenge our modern anxieties about control, health, and longevity?**
* **In what ways does this verse encourage us to trust God with the physical and reproductive health of our families, even when circumstances are challenging?**
* **How can we apply the principle of God's holistic care, as seen in this verse, to our understanding of spiritual and emotional well-being today?**
* **What does it mean to "serve the Lord your God" in a way that aligns with His promises for flourishing, even if the specific covenant terms have changed?**

### FAQ
**Is the promise in Exodus 23:26 still literally applicable to believers today, guaranteeing no miscarriages or premature deaths?**

Answer: While the specific, literal promises of the Mosaic Covenant, such as those in [Exodus 23:26](/exodus/23-26 "Exodus 23:26 - Promise of Fertility and Longevity"), were given to ancient Israel under a conditional covenant of law, the underlying principles reveal God's character and His benevolent desire for the well-being of His people. In the New Covenant, the emphasis shifts from physical, temporal blessings as a direct result of legal obedience to spiritual and eternal blessings received through faith in Christ. Believers today are not guaranteed immunity from miscarriage, infertility, or premature death, as we live in a fallen world where sickness, loss, and the effects of sin are realities. However, God remains the ultimate source of life and health, and we can trust in His sovereign care and provision. The New Testament promises a "fullness of life" that is primarily spiritual and eternal ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - The Abundant Life")), even as we pray for and experience physical healing and provision according to His will. The verse ultimately points to God's benevolent desire for His people to flourish, a desire fulfilled in a deeper, more comprehensive way in Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 23:26, with its promises of fertility, health, and longevity, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the Old Covenant offered temporal, physical blessings contingent on obedience, Christ inaugurates a New Covenant of grace, providing spiritual and eternal blessings that far transcend the earthly. Jesus is the one who truly brings "life, and that more abundantly" ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - The Abundant Life")), overcoming the ultimate barrenness of spiritual death and the premature end of eternal separation from God. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), removing the curse that leads to decay and death, and restoring humanity to a right relationship with God. Through His atoning sacrifice and glorious resurrection, Christ has conquered death itself, ensuring that those who believe in Him will experience not merely a "fulfilled number of days" on earth, but eternal life with God ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love and Eternal Life")). In Him, we are made spiritually fruitful, bearing the fruit of the Spirit ([Galatians 5:22-23](/galatians/5-22-23 "Galatians 5:22-23 - Fruit of the Spirit")), and are promised a future resurrection where death and sorrow will be no more ([1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54-57 "1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - Victory Over Death")). Thus, the physical promises of Exodus 23:26 foreshadow the glorious, holistic, and eternal life that is fully realized in our union with Christ, the source of all true life and flourishing.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 7:14

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

Job 5:26

Thou shalt come to [thy] grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season.

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.

Job 21:10

Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.

Isaiah 65:20

There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner [being] an hundred years old shall be accursed.

Psalms 144:13

[That] our garners [may be] full, affording all manner of store: [that] our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets:

Psalms 107:38

He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and suffereth not their cattle to decrease.