Deuteronomy 8

King James Version

Full text for Deuteronomy Chapter 8

1¶ All 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.

10¶ When 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.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Deuteronomy 8 exhorts Israel to diligently obey God's commandments to live and possess the promised land. It reminds them of God's forty-year leading in the wilderness, designed to humble and test them, teaching reliance on His word. The chapter warns against forgetting the Lord in future prosperity, emphasizing that He is the source of all blessings and wealth. Disobedience and serving other gods will lead to perishing.

Medium Summary

Moses commands Israel to obey God's statutes to ensure life, multiplication, and possession of the promised land. He instructs them to remember the forty years in the wilderness, where God humbled and tested them, demonstrating that man lives by every word of the Lord, not just bread. God's provision during this time, including manna and preserved clothing, served as a father's chastening. The chapter describes the abundant land they are about to enter, rich in water, crops, and minerals. However, it issues a strong warning against pride and forgetting God when prosperity abounds, reminding them that God delivered them from Egypt and provides the power to get wealth. Forgetting the Lord or serving other gods will result in their destruction, similar to the nations God removes before them.

Long Summary

Deuteronomy chapter 8 begins with an exhortation for Israel to observe all God's commandments, ensuring their life, multiplication, and successful inheritance of the promised land. Moses instructs them to recall the entire forty-year journey through the wilderness, a period orchestrated by the Lord to humble them and test their hearts, revealing their true intentions regarding His commands. During this time, God allowed hunger but miraculously fed them with manna, a substance unknown to their ancestors, to teach them that human life depends not solely on physical sustenance but on every word proceeding from the Lord's mouth. Furthermore, their clothing did not wear out, nor did their feet swell, demonstrating God's continuous care. Israel is to understand that God's discipline is akin to a father's chastening of his son, intended for their good. The chapter then describes the bountiful land they are entering, a land rich with water sources, diverse crops like wheat, barley, vines, figs, pomegranates, olives, and honey, and even minerals like iron and brass. Upon entering this land and experiencing prosperity, Israel is strictly warned against forgetting the Lord their God. They must not become proud when their houses are built, their herds multiply, and their silver and gold increase, attributing their wealth to their own power or might. Instead, they are to remember that it was the Lord who delivered them from Egyptian bondage and led them through the perilous wilderness, providing water from rock and manna. It is God who grants the ability to acquire wealth, doing so to establish His covenant sworn to their fathers. The chapter concludes with a solemn warning: if they forget the Lord, walk after other gods, serve, and worship them, they will surely perish, just as the nations God destroys before them, because of their disobedience.

Core Concepts

  • Divine Discipline and TestingGod led Israel through the wilderness for forty years to humble them and test their hearts, revealing their obedience. This period was designed to prove what was within them and to prepare them for the promised land.
  • Dependence on God's WordThe provision of manna, rather than bread, taught Israel that human life is sustained not merely by physical food but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord. This emphasized spiritual reliance over material provision.
  • The Promised Land's AbundanceThe land Israel was entering is described as exceedingly fertile and rich, possessing abundant water sources, diverse agricultural products like grains, fruits, and oil, and valuable minerals such as iron and brass. It signifies God's generous provision.
  • Warning Against Forgetfulness in ProsperityA crucial admonition is given to beware of pride and forgetting God when wealth and comfort increase in the new land. Israel is warned against attributing their success to their own efforts rather than to the Lord.
  • God as the Giver of WealthThe chapter explicitly states that it is the Lord who gives the power to get wealth. This concept counters human arrogance, reminding Israel that all prosperity originates from God and serves to establish His covenant.
  • Consequences of DisobedienceForgetting the Lord, turning to other gods, and disobedience are presented as actions leading directly to destruction. Israel is warned that they will perish like the nations God dispossesses if they fail to obey His voice.