You will be blessed above all peoples; among you there will be no barren man or woman or livestock. You will be blessed above all peoplesThis phrase is a powerful declaration of God's favor upon Israel. The Hebrew word for "blessed" is "בָּרוּךְ" (baruch), which conveys a sense of being endowed with divine favor and prosperity. Historically, this promise is rooted in the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where obedience to God's commandments would result in blessings. The phrase "above all peoples" underscores the unique status of Israel as God's chosen people, set apart for His purposes. This is not just a promise of material prosperity but also a spiritual elevation, reflecting God's desire for Israel to be a light to the nations. among you there will be no barren man or woman
The Hebrew word for "barren" is "עָקָר" (aqar), which means unable to produce offspring. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, barrenness was often seen as a curse or a sign of divine displeasure. However, God's promise here is one of fruitfulness and life. This assurance of fertility is significant in a historical context where lineage and inheritance were crucial. It reflects God's blessing on the family unit and the continuation of His covenant through generations. Spiritually, it symbolizes the fruitfulness of a life lived in obedience to God, producing spiritual offspring and blessings. or livestock
The inclusion of livestock in this promise highlights the comprehensive nature of God's blessing. Livestock was a primary measure of wealth and economic stability in ancient agrarian societies. The Hebrew word for livestock is "מִקְנֶה" (miqneh), which refers to possessions or property, particularly animals. This promise indicates that God's blessing extends to all aspects of life, ensuring not only personal and familial prosperity but also economic abundance. It reflects God's provision and care for His people, ensuring that their needs are met and that they can thrive in the land He has given them. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe author of Deuteronomy, delivering God's laws and promises to the Israelites. 2. IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, receiving the promise of blessings for obedience. 3. CanaanThe Promised Land where the Israelites are heading, a land of abundance and blessing. 4. GodThe covenant-keeping God who promises blessings for obedience. 5. LivestockRepresents wealth and sustenance, crucial for the agrarian society of ancient Israel. Teaching Points Obedience Brings BlessingThe promise of being "blessed above all peoples" is contingent upon Israel's obedience to God's commands. This principle remains true for believers today; obedience to God leads to spiritual and sometimes material blessings. Fruitfulness as a Sign of God's FavorThe absence of barrenness among people and livestock signifies God's favor and provision. In a spiritual sense, believers are called to bear fruit in their lives as evidence of God's work in them. God's Faithfulness to His PromisesThis verse underscores God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Believers can trust that God will fulfill His promises in their lives as they walk in faith and obedience. Community and Collective BlessingThe promise is given to the community of Israel, highlighting the importance of collective faithfulness and the impact of communal obedience on receiving God's blessings. Spiritual Prosperity Over Material WealthWhile the verse speaks of physical blessings, the New Testament shifts the focus to spiritual prosperity. Believers are encouraged to seek first the kingdom of God, trusting that their needs will be met. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the promise of blessing in Deuteronomy 7:14 relate to the broader covenant God made with Israel? 2. In what ways can we apply the principle of obedience leading to blessing in our personal lives today? 3. How does the concept of fruitfulness in Deuteronomy 7:14 connect with Jesus' teaching in John 15 about bearing fruit? 4. What are some modern-day examples of how God blesses His people collectively as a community? 5. How can we balance the pursuit of material blessings with the call to seek spiritual prosperity as taught in the New Testament? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 1:28God's original blessing to humanity to be fruitful and multiply, showing continuity in God's desire for His people to prosper. Exodus 23:25-26Similar promises of health and fertility as a reward for serving God, reinforcing the covenant relationship. Psalm 128:3-4Describes the blessings of a faithful family, echoing the themes of fruitfulness and prosperity. Galatians 3:14Connects the blessings of Abraham to all believers through faith in Christ, expanding the promise beyond Israel. John 10:10Jesus' promise of abundant life, reflecting the fullness of blessing God desires for His people. People Amorites, Canaanites, Egyptians, Girgashite, Girgashites, Hittites, Hivite, Hivites, Jebusites, Moses, Perizzites, Perrizites, PharaohPlaces Beth-baal-peor, EgyptTopics Barren, Blessed, Blessings, Cattle, Childless, Female, Greater, Livestock, Male, None, Offspring, Peoples, WomenDictionary of Bible Themes Deuteronomy 7:14 5663 childbirth
5724 offspring Deuteronomy 7:12-16 7258 promised land, early history Deuteronomy 7:13-14 5225 barrenness Deuteronomy 7:13-15 1335 blessing Library God's Faithfulness
'Know therefore that the Lord thy God, He is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him.'--DEUT. vii. 9. 'Faithful,' like most Hebrew words, has a picture in it. It means something that can be (1) leant on, or (2) builded on. This leads to a double signification--(1) trustworthy, and that because (2) rigidly observant of obligations. So the word applies to a steward, a friend, or a witness. Its most wonderful and sublime application is to God. It presents to …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureMatch-Making.
SECTION I. THE RELATION OF PARENTS TO THE MARRIAGE CHOICE OF THEIR CHILDREN. "Youth longeth for a kindred spirit, and yet yearneth for a heart that can commune with his own; Take heed that what charmeth thee is real, nor springeth of thine own imagination; And suffer not trifles to win thy love; for a wife is thine unto death!" One of the most affecting scenes of home-life is that of the bridal hour! Though in one sense it is a scene of joy and festivity; yet in another, it is one of deep sadness. …
Samuel Philips—The Christian Home The First Covenant
"Now therefore, if ye will obey My voice, and keep My covenant, ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me."--EX. xix. 5. "He declared unto you His covenant, which He commanded you to perform, even ten commandments."--DEUT. iv. 13.i "If ye keep these judgments, the Lord thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant,"--DEUT. vii. 12. "I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, not according to the covenant which I made with their fathers, which My covenant they brake."--JER. xxxi. 31, 32. WE have …
Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants That the Employing Of, and Associating with the Malignant Party, According as is Contained in the Public Resolutions, is Sinful and Unlawful.
That The Employing Of, And Associating With The Malignant Party, According As Is Contained In The Public Resolutions, Is Sinful And Unlawful. If there be in the land a malignant party of power and policy, and the exceptions contained in the Act of Levy do comprehend but few of that party, then there need be no more difficulty to prove, that the present public resolutions and proceedings do import an association and conjunction with a malignant party, than to gather a conclusion from clear premises. …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning The Sovereignty of God in Reprobation
"Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God" (Rom. 11:22). In the last chapter when treating of the Sovereignty of God the Father in Salvation, we examined seven passages which represent Him as making a choice from among the children of men, and predestinating certain ones to be conformed to the image of His Son. The thoughtful reader will naturally ask, And what of those who were not "ordained to eternal life?" The answer which is usually returned to this question, even by those who profess …
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God Why all Things Work for Good
1. The grand reason why all things work for good, is the near and dear interest which God has in His people. The Lord has made a covenant with them. "They shall be my people, and I will be their God" (Jer. xxxii. 38). By virtue of this compact, all things do, and must work, for good to them. "I am God, even thy God" (Psalm l. 7). This word, Thy God,' is the sweetest word in the Bible, it implies the best relations; and it is impossible there should be these relations between God and His people, and …
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial John's Introduction.
^D John I. 1-18. ^d 1 In the beginning was the Word [a title for Jesus peculiar to the apostle John], and the Word was with God [not going before nor coming after God, but with Him at the beginning], and the Word was God. [Not more, not less.] 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him [the New Testament often speaks of Christ as the Creator--see ver. 10; I. Cor. viii. 6; Col. i. 13, 17; Heb. i. 2]; and without him was not anything made that hath been made. [This …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Holiness of God
The next attribute is God's holiness. Exod 15:51. Glorious in holiness.' Holiness is the most sparkling jewel of his crown; it is the name by which God is known. Psa 111:1. Holy and reverend is his name.' He is the holy One.' Job 6:60. Seraphims cry, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of his glory.' Isa 6:6. His power makes him mighty, his holiness makes him glorious. God's holiness consists in his perfect love of righteousness, and abhorrence of evil. Of purer eyes than …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity The Covenant of Grace
Q-20: DID GOD LEAVE ALL MANKIND TO PERISH 1N THE ESTATE OF SIN AND MISERY? A: No! He entered into a covenant of grace to deliver the elect out of that state, and to bring them into a state of grace by a Redeemer. 'I will make an everlasting covenant with you.' Isa 55:5. Man being by his fall plunged into a labyrinth of misery, and having no way left to recover himself, God was pleased to enter into a new covenant with him, and to restore him to life by a Redeemer. The great proposition I shall go …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Deuteronomy
Owing to the comparatively loose nature of the connection between consecutive passages in the legislative section, it is difficult to present an adequate summary of the book of Deuteronomy. In the first section, i.-iv. 40, Moses, after reviewing the recent history of the people, and showing how it reveals Jehovah's love for Israel, earnestly urges upon them the duty of keeping His laws, reminding them of His spirituality and absoluteness. Then follows the appointment, iv. 41-43--here irrelevant (cf. …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Deuteronomy 7:14 NIVDeuteronomy 7:14 NLTDeuteronomy 7:14 ESVDeuteronomy 7:14 NASBDeuteronomy 7:14 KJV
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