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Deuteronomy 33:29
Happyart thou, O Israel: whois like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and whois the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places.

Psalm 115:15
Yeare blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth.

Psalm 147:19,20
He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel…

male or

Deuteronomy 28:4,11
Blessedshall 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…

Exodus 23:26
There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfil.

Leviticus 26:9
For I will have respect unto you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, and establish my covenant with you.

among you there will be no barren man or woman
In the ancient Near Eastern context, barrenness was often seen as a curse or a sign of divine displeasure. This promise of fertility is significant, as it directly counters the cultural stigma associated with childlessness. The assurance of no barrenness among the Israelites underscores God's power to bless and His control over life and creation. This promise is reminiscent of God's intervention in the lives of the patriarchs, such as Sarah, Rebekah, and Rachel, who were initially barren but later bore children through divine intervention (Genesis 21:1-2, 25:21, 30:22-23). It also foreshadows the miraculous births in the New Testament, such as that of John the Baptist (Luke 1:7, 13).

or livestock.
The inclusion of livestock in this promise highlights the agrarian nature of Israelite society, where livestock were essential for economic stability and prosperity. Fertility of livestock would ensure food security, wealth, and the ability to perform religious sacrifices, which were central to Israelite worship. This promise reflects God's comprehensive care for His people, extending His blessings to all aspects of their lives. The prosperity of livestock is also seen as a sign of God's favor in other parts of Scripture, such asJob 42:12, where Job's restored fortunes include an abundance of livestock. This holistic blessing points to the future Messianic kingdom, where creation itself will be restored and flourish (Isaiah 11:6-9).

Deuteronomy 7:14: “You will be blessed above all peoples…”

• The promise follows the conditional “if you listen to and keep these judgments” (Deuteronomy 7:12), making obedience the gateway to unique favor.

• God singles out Israel for a covenant relationship: “I will make you into a great nation…and in you all the families of the earth will be blessed” (Genesis 12:2-3).

• “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD” (Psalm 33:12) echoes the same assurance: divine blessing lifts a people higher than surrounding nations.

• The blessing is comprehensive—spiritual, material, military, and relational—mirroring the far-reaching promises inDeuteronomy 28:1-14.

• Such language also anticipates the ultimate fulfillment in Christ, through whom believing Gentiles are “grafted in” (Romans 11:17-24) and share in covenant blessings without nullifying Israel’s unique calling (Romans 11:28-29).

“…among you there will be no barren man or woman…”

• Fertility was considered a tangible sign of God’s favor (Genesis 1:28;Psalm 127:3-5).

• Barrenness often brought social and emotional pain (1 Samuel 1:6-7). Here, God reverses that sorrow for an obedient people (Deuteronomy 28:4).

• The promise is literal—actual children filling homes—and also symbolic, pointing to life and fruitfulness in every area (John 15:5).

• By including both men and women, the text stresses communal wholeness, not only maternal fertility.

• New-covenant application: while physical childbearing remains a blessing, every believer can experience spiritual fruitfulness that overflows to others (Galatians 5:22-23;1 Timothy 2:15).

“…or livestock.”

• God’s care extends to the animals that sustained Israel’s economy, worship, and daily food (Exodus 23:26;Deuteronomy 28:4).

• Fertile herds meant stable provision:

– More animals for sacrifices (Leviticus 1:2-3)

– Reliable food and clothing sources (Deuteronomy 14:4;Proverbs 27:26-27)

– Increased trade and wealth (Job 42:12;Psalm 144:13-14)

• The promise underscores God’s sovereignty over every sphere—human and animal alike—affirming His ability to bless beyond human control.

Deuteronomy 7:14 offers a threefold covenant promise: exaltation above the nations, human fertility, and animal abundance. Each facet underscores God’s desire to lavish comprehensive, tangible blessing on an obedient people, demonstrating His faithfulness and showcasing His goodness to the world.

Parallel Commentaries ...