Deuteronomy 8
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
AN EXHORTATION TO OBEDIENCE. (Deu. 8:1-20) All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live--In all the wise arrangements of our Creator duty has been made inseparably connected with happiness; and the earnest enforcement of the divine law which Moses was making to the Israelites was in order to secure their being a happy (because a moral and religious) people: a course of prosperity is often called "life" (Gen 17:18; Pro 3:2). live, and multiply--This reference to the future increase of their population proves that they were too few to occupy the land fully at first.
Open source ↗All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do,.... It is repeated over and over again, to impress it on their minds, and to show the importance and necessity of it, how greatly it was expected from them, and how much it was incumbent on them: that ye may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the Lord sware unto your fathers; for their temporal life, and the mercies and comforts of it, the multiplication of their offspring, and of their substance, their entrance into the land of Canaan, possession of it, and continuance in it, all depended on their obedience to the commands of God; see Deu 19:20.
Open source ↗In addition to the danger of being drawn aside to transgress the covenant, by sparing the Canaanites and their idols out of pusillanimous compassion and false tolerance, the Israelites would be especially in danger, after their settlement in Canaan, of falling into pride and forgetfulness of God, when enjoying the abundant productions of that land. To guard against this danger, Moses set before them how the Lord had sought to lead and train them to obedience by temptations and humiliations during their journey through the desert. In order that his purpose in doing this might be clearly seen, he commenced (Deu 8:1) with the renewed admonition to keep the whole law which he commanded them that day, that they might live and multiply and attain to the possession of the promised land (cf. Deu 4:1; Deu 6:3). Deu 8:2 To this end they were to remember the forty years' guidance through the wilderness (Deu 1:31; Deu 2:7), by which God desired to humble them, and to prove the state of their heart and their obedience. Humiliation was the way to prove their attitude towards God. ענּה, to humble, i.e., to bring them by means of distress and privations to feel their need of help and their dependence upon God. נסּה, to prove, by placing them in such positions in life as would drive them to reveal what was in their heart, viz., whether they believed in the omnipotence, love, and righteousness of God, or not. Deu 8:3 The humiliation in the desert consisted not merely in the fact that God let the people hunger, i.e., be in want of bread and their ordinary food, but also in the fact that He fed them with manna, which was unknown to them and their fathers (cf. Exo 16:16.). Feeding with manna is called a humiliation, inasmuch as God intended to show to the people through this food, which had…
Open source ↗The charge here given them is the same as before, to keep and do all God's commandments. Their obedience must be, 1. Careful: Observe to do. 2. Universal: To do all the commandments, Deu 8:1. And, 3. From a good principle, with a regard to God as the Lord, and their God, and particularly with a holy fear of him (Deu 8:6), from a reverence of his majesty, a submission to his authority, and a dread of his wrath. To engage them to this obedience, besides the great advantages of it, which he sets before them (that they should live and multiply, and all should be well with them, Deu 8:1), he directs them, I. To look back upon the wilderness through which God had now brought them: Thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, Deu 8:2. Now that they had come of age, and were entering upon their inheritance, they must be reminded of the discipline they had been under during their minority and the method God had taken to train them up for himself. The wilderness was the school in which they had been for forty years boarded and taught, under tutors and governors; and this was a time to bring it all to remembrance. The occurrences of these last forty years were very memorable and well worthy to be remembered, very useful and profitable to be remembered, as yielding a complication of arguments for obedience; and they were recorded on purpose that they might be remembered. As the feast of the passover was a memorial of their deliverance out of Egypt, so was the feast of tabernacles of their passage through the wilderness. Note, It is very good for us to remember all the ways both of God's providence and grace, by which he has led us hitherto through this wilderness, that we may be prevailed with cheerfully to serve him and trust…
Open source ↗8:1-20 Once Israel inhabited the land, they might have the human tendency to take credit for the blessings that followed. Moses warned the people to guard against a self-congratulatory attitude. God alone is the source of all prosperity and achievement.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
מִצְוָה (mitsvâh, H4687) — a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the Law) צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application חָיָה (châyâh, H2421) — to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive רָבָה (râbâh, H7235) — to increase (in whatever respect) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) יָרַשׁ (yârash, H3423) — to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God שָׁבַע (shâbaʻ, H7650) — to seven oneself, i.e. swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times) אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
Open source ↗זָכַר (zâkar, H2142) — properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to remember; by implication, to mention;… דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) אַרְבָּעִים (ʼarbâʻîym, H705) — forty שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) מִדְבָּר (midbâr, H4057) — a pasture (i.e. open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert; also… עָנָה (ʻânâh, H6031) — to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various… נָסָה (nâçâh, H5254) — to test; by implication, to attempt יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… לֵבָב (lêbâb, H3824) — the heart (as the most interior organ); שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,… מִצְוָה (mitsvâh, H4687) — a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the Law)
Open source ↗עָנָה (ʻânâh, H6031) — to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various… רָעֵב (râʻêb, H7456) — to hunger אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) מָן (mân, H4478) — literally a whatness (so to speak), i.e. manna (so called from the question about it) יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) חָיָה (châyâh, H2421) — to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive לֶחֶם (lechem, H3899) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it) בַּד (bad, H905) — properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of atree, bar… מוֹצָא (môwtsâʼ, H4161) — a going forth, i.e. (the act) an egress, or (the place) an exit; hence, a source or… פֶּה (peh, H6310) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech);… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗שִׂמְלָה (simlâh, H8071) — a dress, especially a mantle בָּלָה (bâlâh, H1086) — to fail; by implication to wear out, decay (causatively, consume, spend) רֶגֶל (regel, H7272) — a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda בָּצֵק (bâtsêq, H1216) — perhaps to swell up, i.e. blister אַרְבָּעִים (ʼarbâʻîym, H705) — forty שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time)
Open source ↗יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… עִם (ʻim, H5973) — adverb or preposition, with (i.e. in conjunction with), in varied applications;… לֵבָב (lêbâb, H3824) — the heart (as the most interior organ); אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… יָסַר (yâçar, H3256) — to chastise, literally (with blows) or figuratively (with words); hence, to instruct בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with…
Open source ↗שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,… מִצְוָה (mitsvâh, H4687) — a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the Law) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb יָרֵא (yârêʼ, H3372) — to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) נַחַל (nachal, H5158) — a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a… מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) תְּהוֹם (tᵉhôwm, H8415) — an abyss (as a surging mass of water), especially the deep (the main sea or the… יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… בִּקְעָה (biqʻâh, H1237) — properly, a split, i.e. a wide level valley between mountains הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
Open source ↗אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) חִטָּה (chiṭṭâh, H2406) — wheat, whether the grain or the plant שְׂעֹרָה (sᵉʻôrâh, H8184) — barley (as villose) גֶּפֶן (gephen, H1612) — a vine (as twining), especially the grape תְּאֵן (tᵉʼên, H8384) — the fig (tree or fruit) רִמּוֹן (rimmôwn, H7416) — a pomegranate, the tree (from its upright growth) or the fruit (also an artificial… שֶׁמֶן (shemen, H8081) — grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness זַיִת (zayith, H2132) — an olive (as yielding illuminating oil), the tree, the branch or the berry דְּבַשׁ (dᵉbash, H1706) — honey (from its stickiness); by analogy, syrup
Open source ↗אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) אֲשֶׁר (ʼăsher, H834) — who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because,… אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) לֶחֶם (lechem, H3899) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it) לֹא (lôʼ, H3808) — not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles מִסְכֵּנֻת (miçkênuth, H4544) — indigence חָסֵר (châçêr, H2637) — to lack; by implication, to fail, want, lessen אֶבֶן (ʼeben, H68) — a stone בַּרְזֶל (barzel, H1270) — iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement הָרָר (hârâr, H2042) — a mountain חָצַב (châtsab, H2672) — to cut or carve (wood, stone or other material); by implication, to hew, split, square,… נְחֹשֶׁת (nᵉchôsheth, H5178) — copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e. coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as…
Open source ↗אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) שָׂבַע (sâbaʻ, H7646) — to sate, i.e. fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively) בָרַךְ (bârak, H1288) — to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
Open source ↗שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,… שָׁכַח (shâkach, H7911) — to mislay, i.e. to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… מִצְוָה (mitsvâh, H4687) — a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the Law) מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… חֻקָּה (chuqqâh, H2708) — {an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)} צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to…
Open source ↗אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) שָׂבַע (sâbaʻ, H7646) — to sate, i.e. fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively) בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively) טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to…
Open source ↗בָּקָר (bâqâr, H1241) — beef cattle or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing);… צֹאן (tsôʼn, H6629) — a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men) רָבָה (râbâh, H7235) — to increase (in whatever respect) כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money זָהָב (zâhâb, H2091) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky
Open source ↗לֵבָב (lêbâb, H3824) — the heart (as the most interior organ); רוּם (rûwm, H7311) — to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively) שָׁכַח (shâkach, H7911) — to mislay, i.e. to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant
Open source ↗Cross-references
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