John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 4. Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body , etc.] Their children, of which they should have many, and these live; be healthful, thrive, and arrive to manhood, and increase and perpetuate their families. Grotius thinks this was eminently fulfilled in Mary, the mother of our Lord; (see Luke 1:42); and the fruit of thy ground ; of their gardens, orchards, and fields; grass for the cattle, and the wheat, barley, vines, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates for the use of men: and the fruit of thy cattle ; which being distinguished from oxen and sheep in the following clause, must be understood of camels and asses, which were used for the carriage both of persons and burdens, and were very serviceable, and were a considerable part of their substance in those countries; (see Job 1:3); the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep ; of their cows and oxen, and of their sheep and goats, which were very increasing creatures, and in the increase of which much of their outward happiness lay; (see <19E413> Psalm 144:13,14).
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 פרי6529 בטנך990 ופרי6529 אדמתך127 ופרי6529 בהמתך929 שׁגר7698 אלפיך504 ועשׁתרות6251 צאנך׃6629
