Deuteronomy Chapter 8

Remember the Lord Your God

1All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers. 2And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. 3And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live. 4Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years. 5Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee. 6Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him. 7For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills; 8A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey; 9A land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack any thing in it; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass. 10When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee.

11Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day: 12Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; 13And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; 14Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; 15Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint; 16Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end; 17And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. 18But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. 19And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish. 20As the nations which the LORD destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the LORD your God.

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

Remember the LORD Your God

1 You shall observe to do all the commandment which I command you this day, that you may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which Yahweh swore to your fathers. 2 You shall remember all the way which Yahweh your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, to prove you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments, or not. 3 He humbled you, and allowed you to be hungry, and fed you with manna, which you didn’t know, neither did your fathers know; that he might make you know that man does not live by bread only, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of Yahweh. 4 Your clothing didn’t grow old on you, neither did your foot swell, these forty years. 5 You shall consider in your heart that as a man chastens his son, so Yahweh your God chastens you. 6 You shall keep the commandments of Yahweh your God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him. 7 For Yahweh your God brings you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of springs, and underground water flowing into valleys and hills; 8 a land of wheat and barley, and vines and fig trees and pomegranates; a land of olive trees and honey; 9 a land in which you shall eat bread without scarceness, you shall not lack anything in it; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills you may dig copper. 10 You shall eat and be full, and you shall bless Yahweh your God for the good land which he has given you.

11 Beware lest you forget Yahweh your God, in not keeping his commandments, and his ordinances, and his statutes, which I command you this day: 12 lest, when you have eaten and are full, and have built goodly houses, and lived therein; 13 and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold is multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied; 14 then your heart be lifted up, and you forget Yahweh your God, who brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage; 15 who led you through the great and terrible wilderness, with fiery serpents and scorpions, and thirsty ground where there was no water; who brought you forth water out of the rock of flint; 16 who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers didn’t know; that he might humble you, and that he might prove you, to do you good at your latter end: 17 and lest you say in your heart, “My power and the might of my hand has gotten me this wealth.” 18 But you shall remember Yahweh your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth; that he may establish his covenant which he swore to your fathers, as at this day. 19 It shall be, if you shall forget Yahweh your God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish. 20 As the nations that Yahweh makes to perish before you, so you shall perish; because you wouldn’t listen to the voice of Yahweh your God.

Remember the LORD Your God

1 You must carefully follow every commandment I am giving you today, so that you may live and multiply, and enter and possess the land that the LORD swore to give your fathers. 2 Remember that these forty years the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness, so that He might humble you and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commandments.

3 He humbled you, and in your hunger He gave you manna to eat, which neither you nor your fathers had known, so that you might understand that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. a 4 Your clothing did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years.

5 So know in your heart that just as a man disciplines his son, so the LORD your God disciplines you. 6 Therefore you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God, walking in His ways and fearing Him.

7 For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks and fountains and springs that flow through the valleys and hills; 8 a land of wheat, barley, vines, fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of olive oil and honey; 9 a land where you will eat food without scarcity, where you will lack nothing; a land whose rocks are iron and whose hills are ready to be mined for copper. 10 When you eat and are satisfied, you are to bless the LORD your God for the good land that He has given you.

11 Be careful not to forget the LORD your God by failing to keep His commandments and ordinances and statutes, which I am giving you this day. 12 Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses in which to dwell, 13 and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all that you have is multiplied, 14 then your heart will become proud, and you will forget the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

15 He led you through the vast and terrifying wilderness with its venomous snakes and scorpions, a thirsty and waterless land. He brought you water from the rock of flint. 16 He fed you in the wilderness with manna that your fathers had not known, in order to humble you and test you, so that in the end He might cause you to prosper.

17 You might say in your heart, “The power and strength of my hands have made this wealth for me.” 18 But remember that it is the LORD your God who gives you the power to gain wealth, in order to confirm His covenant that He swore to your fathers even to this day.

19 If you ever forget the LORD your God and go after other gods to worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely perish. 20 Like the nations that the LORD has destroyed before you, so you will perish if you do not obey the LORD your God.

Footnotes:

3 a Cited in Matthew 4:4 and Luke 4:4

Remember the Lord Your God

1'All the command which I am commanding thee to-day ye observe to do, so that ye live, and have multiplied, and gone in, and possessed the land which Jehovah hath sworn to your fathers; 2and thou hast remembered all the way which Jehovah thy God hath caused thee to go these forty years in the wilderness, in order to humble thee to try thee, to know that which is in thy heart, whether thou dost keep His commands or not. 3'And He doth humble thee, and cause thee to hunger and doth cause thee to eat the manna (which thou hast not known, even thy fathers have not known), in order to cause thee to know that not by bread alone doth man live, but by every produce of the mouth of Jehovah man doth live. 4'Thy raiment hath not worn out from off thee, and thy foot hath not swelled these forty years, 5and thou hast known, with thy heart, that as a man chastiseth his son Jehovah thy God is chastising thee, 6and thou hast kept the commands of Jehovah thy God, to walk in His ways, and to fear Him. 7'For Jehovah thy God is bringing thee in unto a good land, a land of brooks of waters, of fountains, and of depths coming out in valley and in mountain: 8a land of wheat, and barley, and vine, and fig, and pomegranate; a land of oil olive and honey; 9a land in which without scarcity thou dost eat bread, thou dost not lack anything in it; a land whose stones are iron, and out of its mountains thou dost dig brass; 10and thou hast eaten, and been satisfied, and hast blessed Jehovah thy God, on the good land which he hath given to thee.

11'Take heed to thyself, lest thou forget Jehovah thy God so as not to keep His commands, and His judgments, and His statutes which I am commanding thee to-day; 12lest thou eat, and hast been satisfied, and good houses dost build, and hast inhabited; 13and thy herd and thy flock be multiplied, and silver and gold be multiplied to thee; and all that is thine be multiplied: 14'And thy heart hath been high, and thou hast forgotten Jehovah thy God (who is bringing thee out of the land of Egypt, out of a house of servants; 15who is causing thee to go in the great and the terrible wilderness -- burning serpent, and scorpion, and thirst -- where there is no water; who is bringing out to thee waters from the flinty rock; 16who is causing thee to eat manna in the wilderness, which thy fathers have not known, in order to humble thee, and in order to try thee, to do thee good in thy latter end), 17and thou hast said in thy heart, My power, and the might of my hand, hath made for me this wealth: 18And thou hast remembered Jehovah thy God, for He it is who is giving to thee power to make wealth, in order to establish His covenant which He hath sworn to thy fathers as at this day. 19'And it hath been -- if thou really forget Jehovah thy God, and hast gone after other gods, and served them, and bowed thyself to them, I have testified against you to-day that ye do utterly perish; 20as the nations whom Jehovah is destroying from your presence, so ye perish; because ye hearken not to the voice of Jehovah your God.

The F.O.G Commentary:

1What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 8?

1.1Introduction to Deuteronomy 8

1.2Context of Deuteronomy 8

1.3Ancient Key Word Study

1.4Compare & Contrast

1.5Deuteronomy 8 Unique Insights

1.6Deuteronomy 8 Connections to Yeshua

1.7Deuteronomy 8 Scriptural Echoes

1.8Deuteronomy 8 Devotional

1.9Did You Know

What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 8?

Introduction to Deuteronomy 8

Deuteronomy 8 stands as a pivotal chapter in Israel’s journey from slavery to sovereignty, serving as both a profound reminder and a prophetic warning. As Moses addresses the new generation poised to enter the Promised Land, he weaves together themes of remembrance, gratitude, and spiritual vigilance. This chapter masterfully explores the delicate balance between material prosperity and spiritual fidelity, addressing a timeless challenge that resonates deeply with believers today.

Context of Deuteronomy 8

Within the book of Deuteronomy, chapter 8 falls strategically between Moses’s exposition of the First Commandment (chapter 7) and his warnings about self-righteousness (chapter 9). This placement is significant as it forms part of Moses’s second discourse (Deuteronomy 5-26), where he expounds on the practical implications of the covenant relationship between יהוה and Israel.

The chapter builds upon the historical narrative established in Exodus and Numbers, reflecting on the 40-year wilderness experience not merely as punishment, but as a divine training ground for faith. This perspective transforms our understanding of trials and testing in believers’ lives. Furthermore, it anticipates Israel’s future in the Promised Land, providing crucial spiritual principles for maintaining faithfulness amid prosperity – a theme that would later be echoed by the prophets and ultimately find its fullest expression in the teachings of Yeshua the Messiah.

This section of Deuteronomy also serves as a bridge between Israel’s past experiences of God’s provision and their future challenges in Canaan. It presents a theological framework for understanding how material blessing and spiritual fidelity should coexist in the life of God’s people.

Ancient Key Word Study

Remember (זָכַר, zakar): More than mere mental recall, this Hebrew word implies active engagement with memory that should lead to present action. Used repeatedly in verses 2 and 18, it carries the weight of covenant obligation and appears over 230 times in the Old Testament, often in contexts of covenant remembrance.
Test (נָסָה, nasah): Appearing in verse 2, this word denotes proving or testing with the purpose of revealing character. Unlike modern negative connotations, Biblical testing aims at strengthening and revealing faith, similar to how metal is refined.
Humble (עָנָה, anah): Found in verse 2 and 16, this term means “to afflict” or “to humble,” but in this context suggests divine discipline for spiritual growth. It’s the same root used in Psalm 119:71, highlighting how affliction leads to learning God’s ways.
Manna (מָן, man): This supernatural bread (verse 3) derives from the question “What is it?” (מָן הוּא). Its daily provision taught Israel dependence on God’s Word, a concept Yeshua referenced in Matthew 4:4.
Discipline (יָסַר, yasar): Appearing in verse 5, this word portrays God as a father who disciplines His son. It combines education with correction, revealing God’s paternal heart in His dealings with Israel.
Good (טוֹב, tov): Used to describe the Promised Land (verse 7), this word encompasses more than mere pleasantness, suggesting completeness, wholeness, and divine approval. It echoes the creation narrative where God declared things “good.”
Bless (בָּרַך, barak): This key term in verse 10 establishes the biblical basis for giving thanks after meals. It implies actively engaging in recognizing and declaring God’s goodness, not merely feeling grateful.
Heart (לֵבָב, levav): Referenced in verses 2 and 14, this word represents the core of human consciousness, including thoughts, will, and emotions. It’s seen as the center of spiritual life and moral choice.
Forget (שָׁכַח, shakach): Contrasting with “remember,” this word in verses 11 and 14 implies active rejection of covenant obligations, not mere forgetfulness.

Compare & Contrast

Verse 2’s phrase “all the way” (כָּל־הַדֶּרֶךְ) was chosen over simpler alternatives to emphasize the completeness of God’s guidance. The Hebrew construction suggests not just the physical journey but the spiritual pathway God designed for their formation.
In verse 3, the phrase “man does not live by bread alone” employs לְבַדּ֤וֹ (alone) emphasizing total insufficiency rather than partial dependence. This precise wording would later be quoted by Yeshua during His wilderness testing.
The description of the land in verses 7-9 uses seven specific products, deliberately echoing the seven days of creation. This suggests a new beginning and complete provision, rather than a mere listing of resources.
Verse 10’s command to “bless יהוה” (וּבֵֽרַכְתָּ֙) is notably in the perfect tense, implying not just a single act but an ongoing state of gratitude. This grammatical choice established the basis for the Jewish practice of blessing after meals.
The warning in verse 14 about the heart being “lifted up” (וְרָ֖ם לְבָבֶ֑ךָ) uses imagery that connects to ancient Near Eastern royal propaganda, deliberately subverting the common ancient notion of self-made success.
The phrase “great and terrible wilderness” (verse 15) combines contradictory adjectives (הַגָּדֹ֣ל וְהַנּוֹרָ֗א) to create a powerful image of both divine protection and human vulnerability.
The future warning in verse 17 uses the phrase “my power and the might of my hand” (כֹּחִי֙ וְעֹ֣צֶם יָדִ֔י) in a deliberately ironic construction, mimicking the boastful language of ancient Near Eastern kings to expose its folly.

Deuteronomy 8 Unique Insights

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The chapter’s structure reveals a sophisticated chiastic pattern that points to its central message about the purpose of manna. This literary device, common in ancient Hebrew poetry, helps emphasize that God’s provision wasn’t merely about physical sustenance but about spiritual formation. The wilderness experience served as a divine laboratory where Israel learned to trust in יהוה’s word over physical bread.

Ancient Jewish commentary provides fascinating insights into verse 4’s statement about clothing not wearing out. The Midrash suggests that the children’s clothes grew with them miraculously, while their garments were cleaned by the clouds of glory that accompanied them. While we must view such traditions through a Messianic lens, they highlight the supernatural nature of Israel’s preservation in the wilderness.

The chapter’s description of the Promised Land uses language that parallels the Garden of Eden, suggesting a kind of restored paradise. The seven species listed (wheat, barley, vines, figs, pomegranates, olive oil, and honey) correspond to the perfect number seven, indicating completeness and divine blessing. This connection between Eden and the Promised Land foreshadows the ultimate restoration through the Messiah.

The warning about forgetting God in prosperity contains a profound psychological insight into human nature. The Hebrew construction in verses 11-14 shows a progression: forgetting leads to not keeping commands, which leads to pride, which ultimately leads to forgetting the exodus itself. This pattern tragically played out in Israel’s history and serves as a warning to believers today.

Deuteronomy 8 Connections to Yeshua

The chapter’s emphasis on living by God’s word rather than bread alone found its ultimate fulfillment in Yeshua’s wilderness testing (Matthew 4:4). Just as Israel was tested for 40 years in the wilderness, Yeshua was tested for 40 days, demonstrating perfect faithfulness where Israel had failed. His victory over temptation showed Him to be the true Israel, fulfilling God’s original purpose for His people.

The theme of divine sonship and discipline (verse 5) points forward to the perfect Son who would fully submit to the Father’s will. The description of God as a father disciplining his son takes on deeper meaning in light of Yeshua’s relationship with the Father, particularly as expressed in Hebrews 5:8: “Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.”

Deuteronomy 8 Scriptural Echoes

The chapter’s themes reverberate throughout Scripture. The warning about pride in prosperity echoes in Hosea 13:6, where Israel’s satiation led to forgetting God. This pattern appears again in Revelation 3:17, where the Laodicean church’s material wealth masked their spiritual poverty.

The emphasis on testing and trials finds parallel expression in James 1:2-4, where trials are seen as producing spiritual maturity. The image of God as a father disciplining His children is developed further in Hebrews 12:5-11, which directly references the Deuteronomic principle.

The metaphor of living by God’s word extends through Scripture, from the prophets to Yeshua’s declaration of Himself as the bread of life (John 6:35). This connection transforms our understanding of both physical and spiritual nourishment.

Deuteronomy 8 Devotional

In our modern context of unprecedented material prosperity, Deuteronomy 8 speaks with remarkable relevance. The chapter challenges us to examine our hearts: Do we attribute our success solely to our efforts, or do we recognize God’s sovereign provision? The call to remember God’s faithfulness in past trials becomes particularly poignant when facing current challenges.

The chapter’s warning about the dangers of prosperity serves as a crucial reminder for believers today. Just as Israel needed to guard against forgetting God in their abundance, we too must cultivate spiritual disciplines that keep us dependent on Him. This might involve regular practices of gratitude, intentional remembrance of God’s past faithfulness, and conscious recognition of our daily dependence on Him.

Did You Know

The command to bless God after eating (verse 10) became the biblical basis for Birkat Hamazon, the Jewish grace after meals, which Yeshua likely practiced during His earthly ministry.
The description of the land’s minerals in verse 9 has been confirmed by modern geological surveys, which have indeed found copper deposits in the regions described.
The phrase “man does not live by bread alone” appears only twice in the entire Bible – here and in Yeshua’s quotation during His wilderness testing.
The seven species mentioned in verses 8-9 became fundamental symbols in ancient Israeli agriculture and remain significant in modern Israeli culture.
The reference to clothes not wearing out (verse 4) spans exactly 40 words in the Hebrew text, corresponding to the 40 years in the wilderness.
The structure of the chapter forms a chiastic pattern, with the central focus being God’s provision of manna – a literary device common in ancient Hebrew poetry.
Archaeological discoveries have confirmed the accuracy of the agricultural description of the land, including evidence of ancient iron smelting operations.
The phrase “good land” appears exactly seven times in Deuteronomy, symbolizing divine perfection and completeness.
The warning about forgetting God uses a Hebrew word (שָׁכַח) that appears exactly forty times in the Torah, matching the years of wilderness wandering.
The description of the wilderness in verse 15 uses phrases that parallel Ancient Near Eastern royal inscriptions, but subverts their meaning to emphasize God’s power.

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After a dramatic early morning encounter with King Jesus, I just couldn’t put my Bible down. The F.O.G took a hold of me and this website was born. What is the F.O.G?

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