Psalm 127:3
New International Version
Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him.

New Living Translation
Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him.

English Standard Version
Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.

Berean Standard Bible
Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward.

King James Bible
Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

New King James Version
Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.

New American Standard Bible
Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.

NASB 1995
Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.

NASB 1977
Behold, children are a gift of the LORD; The fruit of the womb is a reward.

Legacy Standard Bible
Behold, children are an inheritance of Yahweh, The fruit of the womb is a reward.

Amplified Bible
Behold, children are a heritage and gift from the LORD, The fruit of the womb a reward.

Christian Standard Bible
Sons are indeed a heritage from the LORD, offspring, a reward.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Sons are indeed a heritage from the LORD, children, a reward.

American Standard Version
Lo, children are a heritage of Jehovah; And the fruit of the womb is his reward.

Contemporary English Version
Children are a blessing and a gift from the LORD.

English Revised Version
Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Children are an inheritance from the LORD. They are a reward from him.

Good News Translation
Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a real blessing.

International Standard Version
Children are a gift from the LORD; a productive womb, the LORD's reward.

Majority Standard Bible
Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward.

NET Bible
Yes, sons are a gift from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward.

New Heart English Bible
Look, children are a heritage of the LORD. The fruit of the womb is a reward.

Webster's Bible Translation
Lo, children are a heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

World English Bible
Behold, children are a heritage of Yahweh. The fruit of the womb is his reward.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Behold, sons [are] an inheritance of YHWH, "" The fruit of the womb [is] a reward.

Young's Literal Translation
Lo, an inheritance of Jehovah are sons, A reward is the fruit of the womb.

Smith's Literal Translation
Behold, sons are the inheritance of Jehovah: the reward of the fruit of the womb.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
behold the inheritance of the Lord are children: the reward, the fruit of the womb.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Behold, the inheritance of the Lord is sons, the reward is the fruit of the womb.

New American Bible
Certainly sons are a gift from the LORD, the fruit of the womb, a reward.

New Revised Standard Version
Sons are indeed a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Lo, children are a heritage of the LORD; and the fruit of the womb is a reward.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
For the inheritance of LORD JEHOVAH is children, the reward of the fruit of the womb.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Lo, children are a heritage of the LORD; The fruit of the womb is a reward.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Behold, the inheritance of the Lord, children, the reward of the fruit of the womb.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Children are a Heritage From the LORD
2In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for bread to eat—for He gives sleep to His beloved. 3Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward. 4Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are children born in one’s youth.…

Cross References
Genesis 33:5
When Esau looked up and saw the women and children, he asked, “Who are these with you?” Jacob answered, “These are the children God has graciously given your servant.”

Genesis 48:9
Joseph said to his father, “They are the sons God has given me in this place.” So Jacob said, “Please bring them to me, that I may bless them.”

Deuteronomy 7:13
He will love you and bless you and multiply you. He will bless the fruit of your womb and the produce of your land—your grain, new wine, and oil, the young of your herds and the lambs of your flocks—in the land that He swore to your fathers to give you.

Deuteronomy 28:4
The fruit of your womb will be blessed, as well as the produce of your land and the offspring of your livestock—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks.

1 Samuel 1:27
I prayed for this boy, and since the LORD has granted me what I asked of Him,

1 Chronicles 25:5
All these sons of Heman the king’s seer were given him through the promises of God to exalt him, for God had given Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.

Job 42:13-16
And he also had seven sons and three daughters. / He named his first daughter Jemimah, his second Keziah, and his third Keren-happuch. / No women as beautiful as Job’s daughters could be found in all the land, and their father granted them an inheritance among their brothers. ...

Psalm 113:9
He settles the barren woman in her home as a joyful mother to her children. Hallelujah!

Psalm 128:3-4
Your wife will be like a fruitful vine flourishing within your house, your sons like olive shoots sitting around your table. / In this way indeed shall blessing come to the man who fears the LORD.

Proverbs 17:6
Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of a son is his father.

Isaiah 8:18
Here am I, and the children the LORD has given me as signs and symbols in Israel from the LORD of Hosts, who dwells on Mount Zion.

Isaiah 54:13
Then all your sons will be taught by the LORD, and great will be their prosperity.

Jeremiah 29:6
Take wives and have sons and daughters. Take wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Multiply there; do not decrease.

Malachi 2:15
Has not the LORD made them one, having a portion of the Spirit? And why one? Because He seeks godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith with the wife of your youth.

Matthew 18:5
And whoever welcomes a little child like this in My name welcomes Me.


Treasury of Scripture

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

children

Psalm 128:3,4
Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table…

Genesis 1:28
And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

Genesis 15:4,5
And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir…

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Psalm 127
1. The virtue of God's blessing
3. Good children are his gift














Children
The Hebrew word for "children" is "בָּנִים" (banim), which is derived from the root "בָּנָה" (banah), meaning "to build." This etymology suggests that children are integral to the building and continuation of a family and society. In the ancient Near Eastern context, children were seen as essential for the survival and prosperity of a family line. They were not only a source of labor and support but also carriers of the family name and legacy. From a conservative Christian perspective, children are viewed as a divine blessing and a vital part of God's plan for humanity, emphasizing the importance of family and generational continuity.

are indeed a heritage
The phrase "are indeed a heritage" uses the Hebrew word "נַחֲלָה" (nachalah), which means "inheritance" or "possession." In biblical times, an inheritance was a significant aspect of one's identity and security, often involving land or property passed down through generations. This concept underscores the value and importance of children as a divine gift that should be cherished and nurtured. In a spiritual sense, children are seen as a legacy from God, entrusted to parents to raise in accordance with His will and purposes.

from the LORD
The phrase "from the LORD" highlights the divine origin of children. The Hebrew name for God used here is "יְהוָה" (YHWH), the covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal and relational nature. This indicates that children are not merely biological products but are given by God Himself, reinforcing the belief in God's sovereignty and intentionality in the creation of life. For conservative Christians, this affirms the sanctity of life and the belief that every child is a unique and purposeful creation of God.

and the fruit of the womb
The term "fruit of the womb" uses the Hebrew word "פְּרִי" (peri), meaning "fruit" or "produce." This metaphor likens children to the natural and abundant produce of the earth, suggesting growth, vitality, and blessing. In ancient agrarian societies, fruit was a symbol of prosperity and divine favor. Similarly, children are seen as a sign of God's blessing and favor upon a family. This imagery reinforces the idea that children are a natural and desirable outcome of marriage and family life.

is His reward
The word "reward" is translated from the Hebrew "שָׂכָר" (sachar), which means "wages" or "compensation." This term implies that children are a form of divine recompense or blessing bestowed upon parents. In the biblical context, rewards were often seen as a sign of God's approval and favor. From a conservative Christian viewpoint, this underscores the belief that children are a gracious gift from God, not earned by human effort but given out of His abundant love and grace. This perspective encourages gratitude and responsibility in parenting, recognizing children as a precious trust from the Lord.

(3) Children.--With the true patriarchal feeling of the blessing of a numerous offspring, the poet here directly alludes to Genesis 30:2. "Heritage of Jehovah" is, of course, "heritage from Jehovah," i.e., a promise granted by Him, just as Israel itself was a possession He made for Himself.

Verse 3. - Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord. The teaching is enforced by an example. The prosperity, alike of states and of individuals, depends on nothing so much as on an abundant progeny of children. But children are manifestly the free gift of God. And the fruit of the womb is his reward. One of the ways in which he rewards his faithful ones (see Deuteronomy 28:10:11).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Children
בָּנִ֑ים (bā·nîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1121: A son

are indeed
הִנֵּ֤ה (hin·nêh)
Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

a heritage
נַחֲלַ֣ת (na·ḥă·laṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5159: Something inherited, occupancy, an heirloom, an estate, patrimony, portion

from the LORD,
יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

[and] the fruit
פְּרִ֣י (pə·rî)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6529: Fruit

of the womb
הַבָּֽטֶן׃ (hab·bā·ṭen)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 990: The belly, the womb, the bosom, body of anything

[is His] reward.
שָׂ֝כָ֗ר (ḵār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7939: Payment of contract, salary, fare, maintenance, compensation, benefit


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OT Poetry: Psalm 127:3 Behold children are a heritage of Yahweh (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 127:2
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