38 He blesses them also, so that they are multiplied greatly. He doesn't allow their livestock to decrease.
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
He blesseth them also - In the manner immediately specified.
So that they are multiplied greatly - This was regarded as one of the highest blessings which God could confer, and hence, it was so often promised by him to the patriarchs, as a proof of his favor, that their seed should be as the stars of heaven, and as the sand upon the sea-shore. Genesis 13:16; Genesis 22:17; Genesis 26:4; Genesis 32:12.
And suffereth not their cattle to decrease - The keeping of herds of cattle was also an important point in husbandry, and hence, it was a blessing that they were made to increase, and that they were kept from the diseases to which cattle are subject.
He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly,.... Not only their fields and vineyards are blessed with an increase, but these husbandmen themselves; as man at his first creation was bid to do, being blessed of God; and as the Israelites were in Egypt, Genesis 1:28 and which may spiritually denote the great number of converts to Christian churches, especially in the latter day, Jeremiah 30:19.
And suffereth not their cattle to decrease; their sheep and oxen, which is reckoned a great temporal happiness, Psalm 144:13, and may signify that God does and will give a sufficient number of Gospel ministers, comparable to oxen for their laboriousness, that shall in all ages minister to his churches; see 1-Corinthians 9:9.
*More commentary available at chapter level.