Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.

Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he hath had regard to take away my reproach among men.

Thus has the Lord done to me in these days in which he looked upon me to take away my reproach among men.

"Thus has the Lord dealt with me," she said, "now that He has graciously taken away my reproach among men."

The Lord has done this to me, for his eyes were on me, to take away my shame in the eyes of men.

"The Lord has done this for me," she said, "he has shown me kindness and taken away the public disgrace of childlessness under which I have been living."

Thus hath the Lord done to me She extols in private the goodness of God, until the time is fully come for making it generally known. There is reason to believe that her husband had informed her by writing of the promised offspring, in consequence of which she affirms with greater certainty and freedom that God was the author of this favor. This is confirmed by the following words, when he looked, that he might take away my reproach; for she assigns it as the cause of her barrenness that the favor of God had been at that time withdrawn from her. Among earthly blessings, Scripture speaks in the highest terms of the gift of offspring. And justly: for, if the productiveness of the inferior animals is his blessing, the increase and fruitfulness of the human race ought to be reckoned a much higher favor. It is no small or mean honor, that God, who alone is entitled to be regarded as a Father, admits the children of the dust to share with him this title. Let us, therefore, hold this doctrine, that "children are an heritage of the Lord, and the fruit of the womb is his reward," (Psalm 127:3.) But Elisabeth looked farther; for, though barren and old, she had conceived by a remarkable miracle, and contrary to the ordinary course of nature. That he might take away my reproach Not without reason has barrenness been always accounted a reproach: for the blessing of the womb is enumerated among the signal instances of the divine kindness. Some think that this was peculiar to the ancient people: because Christ was to come from the seed of Abraham. But this had no reference, except to the tribe of Judah. Others think more correctly that the multiplication of the holy people was happy and blessed, as was said to Abraham, "I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth," (Genesis 13:16;) and again, "Tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: so shall thy seed be," (Genesis 15:5.) But we ought to connect the universal blessing, which extends to the whole human race, with the promise made to Abraham, which is peculiar to the church of God, (Genesis 13:15.) Let parents learn to be thankful to God for the children which he has given them, and let those who have no offspring acknowledge that God has humbled them in this matter. Elisabeth speaks of it exclusively as a reproach among men: for it is a temporal chastisement, from which we will suffer no loss in the kingdom of heaven.

Thus - In this merciful manner.
To take away my reproach - Among the Jews, a family of children was counted a signal blessing, an evidence of the favor of God, Psalm 113:9; Psalm 128:3; Isaiah 4:1; Isaiah 44:3-4; Leviticus 26:9. To be "barren," therefore, or to be destitute of children, was considered a "reproach" or a "disgrace," 1-Samuel 1:6.

To take away my reproach - As fruitfulness was a part of the promise of God to his people, Genesis 17:6, and children, on this account, being considered as a particular blessing from heaven, Exodus 23:20; Leviticus 26:9 : Psalm 127:3; so barrenness was considered among the Jews as a reproach, and a token of the disapprobation of the Lord. 1-Samuel 1:6. But see Luke 1:36.

Thus hath the Lord dealt with me,.... In a very gracious and bountiful manner; in giving her strength to conceive a son in her old age, and such an one that was to be great, and so useful in his day; of which her husband had doubtless informed her by writing, though he could not speak:
in the days wherein he looked on me; with a favourable eye, with a look of love and mercy:
he took away my reproach from among men; as barrenness was accounted, especially among the Israelites, the seed of Abraham; to whom was promised a numerous issue, as the stars in the sky, and as the sand on the sea shore, and particularly the Messiah; see Genesis 30:23.

Take away my reproach. To be childless was regarded a great calamity in Israel. Compare Genesis 16:1-3 and Genesis 30:1.

He looked upon me to take away my reproach - Barrenness was a great reproach among the Jews. Because fruitfulness was promised to the righteous.