King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 7:13 Mean?

Deuteronomy 7:13 in the King James Version says “And he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: he will also bless the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: he will also bless the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy land, thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep, in the land which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee.”

Deuteronomy 7:13 · KJV

Love

Context

11

Thou shalt therefore keep the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which I command thee this day, to do them.

12

Wherefore it shall come to pass, if ye hearken to these judgments, and keep, and do them, that the LORD thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the mercy which he sware unto thy fathers: if: Heb. because

13

And he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: he will also bless the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy land, thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep, in the land which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee.

14

Thou shalt be blessed above all people: there shall not be male or female barren among you, or among your cattle.

15

And the LORD will take away from thee all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which thou knowest, upon thee; but will lay them upon all them that hate thee.

Read Deuteronomy 7 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God's blessing encompasses comprehensive flourishing: relational ('love thee'), spiritual ('bless thee'), numerical ('multiply thee'), and material prosperity (agricultural abundance). The Hebrew barak ('bless') means to endue with power for success and prosperity. The detailed list—womb, land, corn, wine, oil, cattle, sheep—shows God's care extends to every area of life. This is covenant blessing, not prosperity gospel—obedience brings flourishing, but suffering may also serve God's purposes. The land 'which he sware unto thy fathers' grounds blessing in God's covenant promise, not human merit. In Christ, believers inherit spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:3) and experience God's provision (Philippians 4:19), though material prosperity isn't guaranteed in this age.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Israel's agricultural economy made fertility, crop yield, and livestock productivity central to survival and prosperity. Canaan was 'a land flowing with milk and honey' (Exodus 3:8), capable of abundance when blessed by God. However, the land's fertility depended on rainfall (not river irrigation like Egypt), making dependence on God's blessing more immediate. The promised abundance would be fulfilled during Solomon's reign (1 Kings 4:20, 25), demonstrating God's faithfulness. Later disobedience brought drought, famine, and agricultural failure as covenant curses (Deuteronomy 28:23-24).

Reflection Questions

  1. How should you understand material blessing as both gift from God and test of your heart's priorities?
  2. In what ways are you seeking God's blessing while neglecting covenant obedience?
  3. How does the New Testament expand your understanding of blessing beyond material prosperity?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וַאֲהֵ֣בְךָ֔1 of 22

“And he will love”

H157

to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)

וּבֵרַ֣ךְ2 of 22

“thee and bless”

H1288

to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as

וְהִרְבֶּ֑ךָ3 of 22

“thee and multiply”

H7235

to increase (in whatever respect)

וּבֵרַ֣ךְ4 of 22

“thee and bless”

H1288

to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as

וּפְרִֽי5 of 22

“and the fruit”

H6529

fruit (literally or figuratively)

בִטְנְךָ֣6 of 22

“of thy womb”

H990

the belly, especially the womb; also the bosom or body of anything

וּפְרִֽי7 of 22

“and the fruit”

H6529

fruit (literally or figuratively)

הָֽאֲדָמָ֔ה8 of 22

“in the land”

H127

soil (from its general redness)

דְּגָ֨נְךָ֜9 of 22

“thy corn”

H1715

properly, increase, i.e., grain

וְתִֽירֹשְׁךָ֣10 of 22

“and thy wine”

H8492

must or fresh grape-juice (as just squeezed out); by implication (rarely) fermented wine

וְיִצְהָרֶ֗ךָ11 of 22

“and thine oil”

H3323

oil (as producing light); figuratively, anointing

שְׁגַר12 of 22

“the increase”

H7698

the ftus (as finally expelled)

אֲלָפֶ֙יךָ֙13 of 22

“of thy kine”

H504

a family; also (from the sense of yoking or taming) an ox or cow

וְעַשְׁתְּרֹ֣ת14 of 22

“and the flocks”

H6251

increase

צֹאנֶ֔ךָ15 of 22

“of thy sheep”

H6629

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

עַ֚ל16 of 22
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הָֽאֲדָמָ֔ה17 of 22

“in the land”

H127

soil (from its general redness)

אֲשֶׁר18 of 22
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

נִשְׁבַּ֥ע19 of 22

“which he sware”

H7650

to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)

לַֽאֲבֹתֶ֖יךָ20 of 22

“unto thy fathers”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

לָ֥תֶת21 of 22

“to give”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לָֽךְ׃22 of 22
H0

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 7:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 7:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

John 14:21John 15:10Deuteronomy 28:3-5John 16:27Exodus 23:25Job 42:12

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