There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren. — Abortions, untimely births, and barrenness, when they exceeded a certain average amount, were always reckoned in the ancient world among the signs of God’s disfavour, and special expiatory rites were devised for checking them. Conversely, when such misfortunes fell short of the ordinary average, God’s favour was presumed. The promises here made confirm man’s instinctive feeling.

The number of thy days I will fulfil. — Comp. Exodus 20:12. Long life is always regarded in Scripture as a blessing. (Comp. Psalms 55:23; Psalms 90:10; Job 5:26; Job 42:16; 1 Kings 3:11; Isaiah 65:20; Ephesians 6:3, &c.)

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