Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.

DEUTERONOMY 28:4KJV
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Deuteronomy 28:4 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 28:4 mean?

Deuteronomy 28:4 promises that the people will be blessed with fruitful families, abundant crops, and healthy livestock. The verse lists specific areas—children, farmland, cattle, and flocks—that will experience this blessing if the people are faithful.

Moses is speaking to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the land of Canaan, explaining the blessings that will come from obeying God’s commandments. The verse uses everyday examples—offspring, harvests, and animals—to show that every part of life, from family to work, is included in God’s promise of well-being.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 28:4

  • "Blessed" (בָּרוּךְ, barukh, H1288) means to be favored or shown special kindness. Here, it signals a positive, active intervention in every area named.
  • "Fruit" (פְּרִי, peri, H6529) refers to what is produced—children from the body, crops from the ground, and offspring from animals. The repetition highlights the completeness of the blessing.
  • "Body" (בֶּטֶן, beten, H990) literally means "belly" or "womb," pointing specifically to children as a sign of blessing.
  • "Increase" (שְׁגַר, shegar, H7698) and "kine" (אֶלֶף, eleph, H504) refer to the young of cattle, emphasizing not just having animals but their ongoing multiplication.

Why Deuteronomy 28:4 matters

  • Deuteronomy 28:4 clarifies that the blessings are not just spiritual or abstract, but touch every practical part of daily life—family, food, and livelihood.
  • The verse is part of a larger section where Moses lists blessings for obedience and, later, consequences for disobedience, setting up a clear choice for the Israelites.
  • The detailed mention of each area (children, crops, livestock) shows that nothing is too ordinary or small to be included in God’s care and provision.

Where else these words appear

“flocks” Hebrew H6251 · used in 4 verses

  • Deuteronomy 7:13 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.
  • Deuteronomy 28:18 Cursed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy land, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.
  • Deuteronomy 28:51 And he shall eat the fruit of thy cattle, and the fruit of thy land, until thou be destroyed: which also shall not leave thee either corn, wine, or oil, or the increase of thy kine, or flocks of thy sheep, until he have destroyed thee.

“increase” Hebrew H7698 · used in 5 verses

  • Exodus 13:12 That thou shalt set apart unto the LORD all that openeth the matrix, and every firstling that cometh of a beast which thou hast; the males shall be the LORD'S.
  • Deuteronomy 7:13 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.
  • Deuteronomy 28:18 Cursed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy land, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.

“kine” Hebrew H504 · used in 8 verses

  • Deuteronomy 7:13 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.
  • Deuteronomy 28:51 And he shall eat the fruit of thy cattle, and the fruit of thy land, until thou be destroyed: which also shall not leave thee either corn, wine, or oil, or the increase of thy kine, or flocks of thy sheep, until he have destroyed thee.
  • Psalms 8:7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;

“body” Hebrew H990 · used in 72 verses

  • Genesis 25:23 And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.
  • Job 15:35 They conceive mischief, and bring forth vanity, and their belly prepareth deceit.
  • Proverbs 20:27 The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.