What does Exodus 23:26 mean?
ESV: None shall miscarry or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days.
NIV: and none will miscarry or be barren in your land. I will give you a full life span.
NASB: There will be no one miscarrying or unable to have children in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days.
CSB: No woman will miscarry or be childless in your land. I will give you the full number of your days.
NLT: There will be no miscarriages or infertility in your land, and I will give you long, full lives.
KJV: There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfil.
NKJV: No one shall suffer miscarriage or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days.
Verse Commentary:
Verse Context:
Exodus 23:20–33 both warns and reassures Israel about their entry into the Promised Land. This includes references to an angel; this may imply a pre-incarnate form of Jesus Christ. God calls the people to obedience and warns them not to follow the evil practices of the Canaanite nations (Exodus 3:8). Obedience will result in protection and blessings as the Israelites gradually take over an expansive territory (Genesis 15:18–21; Deuteronomy 11:24).
Chapter Summary:
These laws mandate fair judgment, with no bias given for or against the rich, the poor, or foreign travelers. God commands Israel not to follow popular sentiment when it is unjust. Other rules require letting fields grow wild every seven years for the benefit of the land, the poor, and wild animals. The Lord then warns Israel about obedience. If they follow His will, an angel will guide them as they conquer the entire Promised Land (Genesis 15:18–21; Deuteronomy 11:24).
Chapter Context:
After receiving the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:3–17), Israel learns other laws from the Lord. Chapters 21 and 22 covered topics such as servants' rights, homicide, negligence, theft, and social justice. This chapter mandates certain yearly festivals and forbids bias in judgments. It also instructs Israel regarding their upcoming conquest of the Promised Land. Chapter 24 describes a ritual confirmation of the Mosaic covenant. Most chapters after that involve details of the tabernacle.
Book Summary:
The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.
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