Exodus 23:26 kjv

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

Exodus 23:26 nkjv

No one shall suffer miscarriage or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days.

Exodus 23:26 niv

and none will miscarry or be barren in your land. I will give you a full life span.

Exodus 23:26 esv

None shall miscarry or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days.

Exodus 23:26 nlt

There will be no miscarriages or infertility in your land, and I will give you long, full lives.

Exodus 23 verses

Exodus 23 26 Meaning

Exodus 23:26 proclaims a covenantal promise from the Lord God to Israel, ensuring prosperity and continuity in their promised land. It specifically guarantees protection against the tragic losses of miscarriage and barrenness, thereby securing a prolific population. Furthermore, it promises longevity and a complete lifespan for the nation, ensuring that their days are not prematurely cut short by disease, conflict, or calamity. These blessings are contingent upon their faithful obedience to God's commandments, underscoring the reciprocal nature of the covenant.

Exodus 23 26 Context

Exodus 23:26 is part of the "Book of the Covenant" (Exo 20:22–23:33), which elaborates on the ethical and social laws derived from the Ten Commandments. Specifically, it concludes a section (Exo 23:20-33) detailing the blessings God would bestow upon Israel if they remained obedient and faithful to His covenant, particularly in their worship and dealings with the native inhabitants of Canaan. The preceding verses (Exo 23:20-25) outline promises of God's angelic guidance, protection from enemies, success in occupying the land, blessing of food and water, and removal of sickness. Verse 26, therefore, solidifies the covenant promises by ensuring the demographic strength and long-term health of the nation in the Promised Land. This promise stood in stark contrast to the common societal woes of miscarriages and barrenness prevalent in the ancient world, often linked to perceived divine disfavor or lack of protection from gods. Moreover, it subtly contrasts with contemporary Canaanite beliefs that fertility stemmed from Baal or Asherah worship, emphasizing that YHWH alone is the source of life and abundance.

Exodus 23 26 Word analysis

• None/No one (לֹא - lo): A strong negation, indicating a complete absence of the negative condition. It emphasizes the absolute nature of the promise—it will simply not occur if conditions are met.
• Miscarry/Casting her young (תְשַׁכֵּל - təšakkēl): From the root שׁכל (shakal), meaning to miscarry, be bereaved, or suffer loss of children. It encompasses not only abortion or miscarriage in the womb but also the untimely death of infants or young children. In a tribal society, such losses were devastating both personally and for the continuity of the family line and clan. God promises to protect them from this specific sorrow and demographic drain.
• Barren (וַעֲקָרָה - wa‘aqārāh): From the root עקר (‘āqar), meaning infertile or childless. Barrenness was considered a significant misfortune and sometimes a disgrace in ancient Israelite culture (Gen 30:1). The promise assures an end to involuntary childlessness within the community.
• In your land (בְּאַרְצֶךָ - bə’arṣekā): This specifies the geographical sphere where these blessings would manifest – the Promised Land, Canaan. It links the fulfillment of the promise directly to their habitation and obedience within God's designated territory.
• I will fulfill/complete (אֲמַלֵּא - ʾamallēʾ): From the root מלא (mālāʾ), meaning to fill, complete, or make full. This active verb highlights God’s direct and sovereign action in bringing about the promise. He will personally ensure the completion of their days.
• Number (מִסְפַּר - mispar): Refers to the count or totality.
• Of your days (יָמֶיךָ - yāmêkā): Refers to the span of one's life. This signifies a full, complete, and long life, reaching old age naturally, undisturbed by premature death due to war, pestilence, famine, or disease, which were common curses in ancient times. It assures national vitality and continuity across generations.

• No one will miscarry or be barren in your land: This phrase group directly addresses two major anxieties in ancient agricultural and patrilineal societies: the loss of existing offspring and the inability to produce new ones. God's promise here is a powerful assurance of the nation's demographic strength, continuity, and divine favor, ensuring the perpetuation of Israel's presence in the land. It contrasts the life-giving God of Israel with the futility of idolatry which brought barrenness and curses.
• I will give you the full number of your days: This promise speaks to longevity and a complete lifespan. It means God ensures their lives will not be cut short prematurely due to judgment, plague, or violence, allowing them to experience the natural course of life and death in old age. It reflects God's desire for the flourishing and stability of His covenant people.

Exodus 23 26 Bonus section

• This verse, along with others in the Book of the Covenant, reveals God's holistic concern for His people – not just their spiritual lives, but also their physical health, economic well-being, and demographic strength. It demonstrates God’s character as the ultimate provider of life and peace.
• The emphasis on "in your land" highlights the intertwined nature of the blessings with the physical inheritance of Canaan. God’s presence and favor are tied to their faithfulness within the land He provides.
• While these were specific promises to national Israel, New Testament principles like fruitfulness in Christ (John 15) and promises for honoring parents leading to long life (Eph 6:2-3) show an enduring spiritual application of divine favor upon obedience, even if the direct physical manifestations differ under the New Covenant.

Exodus 23 26 Commentary

Exodus 23:26 represents a powerful and practical dimension of God’s covenant promises to Israel. As part of a series of blessings conditional upon obedience (Exo 23:20-25), it targets fundamental areas of human well-being and national strength in an ancient context. The assurance against miscarriage and barrenness was incredibly significant; in a culture valuing large families for labor, lineage, and legacy, such losses were devastating and seen as divine curses. By promising fertility and protection for offspring, God assured the Israelites of demographic vitality necessary to inhabit and sustain the land promised to Abraham. This promise also carried an implicit polemic against pagan fertility cults prevalent in Canaan, declaring YHWH, and not Baal or Asherah, as the true source of life and generational continuity. The latter promise, "I will give you the full number of your days," speaks to longevity and security from premature death. It guarantees that the nation, through its obedience, would live to a ripe old age, not decimated by plagues, famine, or warfare that might otherwise shorten their collective lifespan. This complete span of life allowed for the peaceful passing of wisdom and tradition, fostering national stability and prosperity. These are not merely individual promises but covenant blessings designed to ensure the flourishing and perpetuation of the nation Israel as a whole, fulfilling God's greater plan for them in the Promised Land.