John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 3. Blessed [shalt] thou [be] in the city , etc.] Not only in the city of Jerusalem, where the temple would be built, and there be blessed with the service, worship, and ordinances of God, but in all other cities of the land; where they should dwell in title, large, and spacious houses, and their cities should be walled and fenced, and be very populous; yet should enjoy health, and have plenty of all sorts of provisions brought unto them, as well as prosper in all kinds of merchandise there, as Aben Ezra notes: and blessed [shalt] thou [be] in the field ; in the country villages, and in all rural employments, in sowing and planting, as the same writer observes; in all kinds of husbandry, in the culture of the fields for corn, and of vineyards and oliveyards; all should prosper and succeed, and bring forth fruit abundantly.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-14 - This chapter is a very large exposition of two words, the blessing an the curse. They are real things and have real effects. The blessing are here put before the curses. God is slow to anger, but swift to sho mercy. It is his delight to bless. It is better that we should be draw to what is good by a child-like hope of God's favour, than that we be frightened to it by a slavish fear of his wrath. The blessing i promised, upon condition that they diligently hearken to the voice of God. Let them keep up religion, the form and power of it, in their families and nation, then the providence of God would prosper all their outward concerns.
Original Hebrew ברוך1288 אתה859 בעיר5892 וברוך1288 אתה859 בשׂדה׃7704
