About Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy contains Moses' final addresses to Israel, restating the Law and calling the new generation to covenant faithfulness.

Author: MosesWritten: c. 1406 BCReading time: ~3 minVerses: 20
Covenant RenewalObedienceLove for GodBlessing and CurseRememberChoose

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King James Version

Deuteronomy 8

20 verses with commentary

Remember the Lord Your God

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.

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KJV Study Commentary

The opening command 'All the commandments... shall ye observe to do' establishes comprehensive obedience as the condition for covenant blessing. The threefold promise—'that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess'—shows that obedience produces life, growth, and inheritance. The Hebrew <em>chayah</em> (live) means not mere existence but flourishing life. Obedience isn't the root of life bu...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

VIII. (1) **All the commandments.**—Perhaps this verse should be placed at the conclusion of the preceding paragraph rather than at the commencement of the next. The second verse of this chapter introduces a fresh branch of the subject. **That ye may . . . go in and possess.**—This does not refer simply to the passage of Jordan and the first conquest under Joshua so much as to that work of possess...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 8 Chapter Outline Exhortations and cautions, enforced by the Lord's former dealings with Israel, and his promises.(1-9) Exhortations and cautions further enforced.(10-20) **Verses 1-9** Obedience must be, 1. Careful, observe to do; 2. Universal, to do all the commandments; and 3. From a good principle, with a regard to God as the Lord, and their God, and with a holy fear ...
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And 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.

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KJV Study Commentary

Moses commands Israel to 'remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness.' The Hebrew zakar (remember) means active, purposeful recollection that shapes present conduct. The wilderness experience served multiple purposes: humbling ('to humble thee'), testing ('to prove thee'), and revealing heart motives ('to know what was in thine heart'). The forty years...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

THE REMEMBRANCE OF THE EXODUS. (2) **And thou shalt remember.**—The whole of the remainder of this exhortation, to the end of Deuteronomy 10, is chiefly taken up with this topic. Israel must remember (1) the leading of Jehovah, and (2) their own rebellious perversity in the journey through the wilderness. The same recollection is made the occasion for a separate note of praise in Psalm 136:16 : “T...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

CHAPTER 3 De 3:1-20. Conquest of Og, King of Bashan. **1. we turned, and went up the way to Bashan--**Bashan ("fruitful" or "flat"), now El-Bottein, lay situated to the north of Gilead and extended as far as Hermon. It was a rugged mountainous country, valuable however for its rich and luxuriant pastures. **Og the king of Bashan came out against us--**Without provocation, he rushed to attack th...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 8 Chapter Outline Exhortations and cautions, enforced by the Lord's former dealings with Israel, and his promises.(1-9) Exhortations and cautions further enforced.(10-20) **Verses 1-9** Obedience must be, 1. Careful, observe to do; 2. Universal, to do all the commandments; and 3. From a good principle, with a regard to God as the Lord, and their God, and with a holy fear ...
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And 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.

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KJV Study Commentary

This verse contains one of Scripture's most profound statements about human sustenance and divine provision. The Hebrew construction emphasizes God's deliberate pedagogy: <em>vay'anekha vayar'ivekha</em> (וַיְעַנְּךָ וַיַּרְעִבֶךָ, 'He humbled you and allowed you to hunger'). God orchestrated Israel's hunger to create dependence and teach a crucial lesson. The provision of <em>man</em> (מָן, manna...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(3) **And he . . . suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee.**—A process naturally humbling. He might easily have fed them without “suffering them to hunger.” But He did not give them the manna until the sixteenth day of the second month of the journey (see Exodus 16:1; Exodus 16:6-7); and for one whole month they were left to their own resources. When it appeared that the people had no means of prov...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**2. The Lord said unto me, Fear him not: for I will deliver him, and all his people, and his land, into thy hand--**Og's gigantic appearance and the formidable array of forces he will bring to the field, need not discourage you; for, belonging to a doomed race, he is destined to share the fate of Sihon [Nu 21:25].

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 8 Chapter Outline Exhortations and cautions, enforced by the Lord's former dealings with Israel, and his promises.(1-9) Exhortations and cautions further enforced.(10-20) **Verses 1-9** Obedience must be, 1. Careful, observe to do; 2. Universal, to do all the commandments; and 3. From a good principle, with a regard to God as the Lord, and their God, and with a holy fear ...
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Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years.

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KJV Study Commentary

The miraculous preservation of clothing and protection of feet demonstrates God's comprehensive care extending to ordinary physical needs. The Hebrew <em>balah</em> (waxed old/wore out) normally describes inevitable decay, but God suspended natural deterioration. Forty years without new clothing or swollen feet from constant travel is supernatural provision. This detail emphasizes that God's care ...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(4) **Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee.**—The Jewish commentators say that it grew with their growth, from childhood to manhood. We cannot say that anything miraculous is certainly intended, though it is not impossible. It may mean that God in His providence directed them to clothe themselves in a manner suitable to their journey and their mode of life, just as He taught them how to make and cl...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**3-8. Argob was the capital of a district in Bashan of the same name, which, together with other fifty-nine cities in the same province, were conspicuous for their lofty and fortified walls. It was a war of extermination. Houses and cities were razed to the ground; all classes of people were put to the sword; and nothing was saved but the cattle, of which an immense amount fell as spoil into the ...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 8 Chapter Outline Exhortations and cautions, enforced by the Lord's former dealings with Israel, and his promises.(1-9) Exhortations and cautions further enforced.(10-20) **Verses 1-9** Obedience must be, 1. Careful, observe to do; 2. Universal, to do all the commandments; and 3. From a good principle, with a regard to God as the Lord, and their God, and with a holy fear ...
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Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee.

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KJV Study Commentary

The verse commands: 'Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee.' The Hebrew yasar (chasten/discipline) combines correction and instruction—not mere punishment but formative training. The father-son metaphor reveals God's purpose in discipline: love-motivated character formation, not vindictive retribution. This establishes the f...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(5) **As a man chasteneth his son.**—This is the foundation of many similar sayings in Holy Scripture: Proverbs 13:24, “He *seeketh *chastening for him,” i.e., seeks it early. All our ideas of training necessarily imply time; it cannot be done in a moment. But the main point of the illustration is to *prove God’s love. *“Whom the Lord loveth, He chasteneth;” else, why should He be at the pains to ...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**3-8. Argob was the capital of a district in Bashan of the same name, which, together with other fifty-nine cities in the same province, were conspicuous for their lofty and fortified walls. It was a war of extermination. Houses and cities were razed to the ground; all classes of people were put to the sword; and nothing was saved but the cattle, of which an immense amount fell as spoil into the ...
Read full commentary →

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 8 Chapter Outline Exhortations and cautions, enforced by the Lord's former dealings with Israel, and his promises.(1-9) Exhortations and cautions further enforced.(10-20) **Verses 1-9** Obedience must be, 1. Careful, observe to do; 2. Universal, to do all the commandments; and 3. From a good principle, with a regard to God as the Lord, and their God, and with a holy fear ...
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Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him.

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KJV Study Commentary

The 'Therefore' connects the previous verses' description of God's provision (vv. 2-5) with the command to obedience. Because God has proven faithful, keep His commandments. 'To walk in his ways' (<em>lalekheth bidrakhav</em>) means comprehensive life orientation, not isolated acts of obedience. 'To fear him' (<em>le-yir'ah oto</em>) is reverential awe, not servile terror—the appropriate response ...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**3-8. Argob was the capital of a district in Bashan of the same name, which, together with other fifty-nine cities in the same province, were conspicuous for their lofty and fortified walls. It was a war of extermination. Houses and cities were razed to the ground; all classes of people were put to the sword; and nothing was saved but the cattle, of which an immense amount fell as spoil into the ...
Read full commentary →

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 8 Chapter Outline Exhortations and cautions, enforced by the Lord's former dealings with Israel, and his promises.(1-9) Exhortations and cautions further enforced.(10-20) **Verses 1-9** Obedience must be, 1. Careful, observe to do; 2. Universal, to do all the commandments; and 3. From a good principle, with a regard to God as the Lord, and their God, and with a holy fear ...
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For 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;

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KJV Study Commentary

The description of Canaan as 'a good land' (<em>eretz tovah</em>) contrasts with Egypt's Nile-dependent agriculture and the wilderness' barrenness. The abundance of water sources—'brooks... fountains and depths... valleys and hills'—indicates reliable irrigation independent of single water sources. This demonstrates God's providential preparation: He brings His people into blessing, not hardship. ...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(7) **For the Lord thy God bringeth thee into a good land.**—The description in this and the following verses is most attractive; but it is a long time since any one has seen Palestine in that condition. Its desolation, no less than its beauty, is a proof of the truth of the Divine word. **Of fountains and depths that spring out.**—Rather, *that go forth in the valley and on the hill. *The waterco...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**3-8. Argob was the capital of a district in Bashan of the same name, which, together with other fifty-nine cities in the same province, were conspicuous for their lofty and fortified walls. It was a war of extermination. Houses and cities were razed to the ground; all classes of people were put to the sword; and nothing was saved but the cattle, of which an immense amount fell as spoil into the ...
Read full commentary →

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 8 Chapter Outline Exhortations and cautions, enforced by the Lord's former dealings with Israel, and his promises.(1-9) Exhortations and cautions further enforced.(10-20) **Verses 1-9** Obedience must be, 1. Careful, observe to do; 2. Universal, to do all the commandments; and 3. From a good principle, with a regard to God as the Lord, and their God, and with a holy fear ...
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A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey; of oil: Heb. of olive tree of oil

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KJV Study Commentary

The list of seven agricultural products—wheat, barley, vines (grapes), figs, pomegranates, olive oil, honey—represents comprehensive abundance and variety. The number seven suggests completeness. These weren't luxury items but staple foods providing balanced nutrition: grains (bread), fruit (vitamins), oil (fat), honey (sweetness/energy). This shows God's provision is both sufficient and generous,...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**3-8. Argob was the capital of a district in Bashan of the same name, which, together with other fifty-nine cities in the same province, were conspicuous for their lofty and fortified walls. It was a war of extermination. Houses and cities were razed to the ground; all classes of people were put to the sword; and nothing was saved but the cattle, of which an immense amount fell as spoil into the ...
Read full commentary →

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 8 Chapter Outline Exhortations and cautions, enforced by the Lord's former dealings with Israel, and his promises.(1-9) Exhortations and cautions further enforced.(10-20) **Verses 1-9** Obedience must be, 1. Careful, observe to do; 2. Universal, to do all the commandments; and 3. From a good principle, with a regard to God as the Lord, and their God, and with a holy fear ...
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A 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.

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KJV Study Commentary

The promise 'eat bread without scarceness' and 'not lack any thing' describes complete provision and freedom from want. The Hebrew <em>miskenuth</em> (scarceness) means poverty or insufficiency. God promises not mere survival but abundance. The mention of iron (in stones) and copper/brass (in hills) indicates mineral resources beyond agricultural wealth. Canaan possessed iron deposits (though Phil...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(9) **Whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass.**—We do not hear of mining operations in Palestine from sacred history. “Brass,” *i.e., *copper; and so in all passages.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**3-8. Argob was the capital of a district in Bashan of the same name, which, together with other fifty-nine cities in the same province, were conspicuous for their lofty and fortified walls. It was a war of extermination. Houses and cities were razed to the ground; all classes of people were put to the sword; and nothing was saved but the cattle, of which an immense amount fell as spoil into the ...
Read full commentary →

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 8 Chapter Outline Exhortations and cautions, enforced by the Lord's former dealings with Israel, and his promises.(1-9) Exhortations and cautions further enforced.(10-20) **Verses 1-9** Obedience must be, 1. Careful, observe to do; 2. Universal, to do all the commandments; and 3. From a good principle, with a regard to God as the Lord, and their God, and with a holy fear ...
Read full commentary →

When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee.

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KJV Study Commentary

The command to 'bless the LORD' after eating acknowledges God as provider. The Hebrew <em>berakhta</em> (bless) means to praise, thank, and acknowledge. This instituted the practice of saying grace—thanking God for food. The timing 'when thou hast eaten and art full' is crucial: gratitude must follow satisfaction, not just accompany want. It's easy to pray in hunger; blessing God in fullness requi...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(10) **When thou hast eaten.**—Literally, *and thou shalt eat and be satisfied, and shalt bless the Lord thy God. *There is a saying in the Talmud (*Berachoth, *p. 35a.), “It is forbidden to any man to take any enjoyment from this present world without thanksgiving; and every one who does so is a transgressor.”

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**9. Hermon--**now Jebel-Es-Sheick--the majestic hill on which the long and elevated range of Anti-Lebanon terminates. Its summit and the ridges on its sides are almost constantly covered with snow. It is not so much one high mountain as a whole cluster of mountain peaks, the highest in Palestine. According to the survey taken by the English Government Engineers in 1840, they were about 9376 feet ...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 10-20** Moses directs to the duty of a prosperous condition. Let them always remember their Benefactor. In everything we must give thanks. Moses arms them against the temptations of a prosperous condition. When men possess large estates, or are engaged in profitable business, they find the temptation to pride, forgetfulness of God, and carnal-mindedness, very strong; and they are anxi...
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Beware 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:

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KJV Study Commentary

Moses continues: 'Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him.' The 'therefore' connects God's fatherly discipline (verse 5) to obedient response—proper understanding of God's character produces reverence and obedience. 'Walk in his ways' presents the Christian life as a journey, requiring daily faithfulness. The 'fear' of God (yirah) is bot...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(11) **Beware that.**—From Deuteronomy 8:11 to Deuteronomy 8:18 inclusive is one long sentence in the Hebrew, and may be taken thus: “Take heed to thyself *lest *thou forget Jehovah thy God (so that thou keep not, &c.); *lest *thou eat and be satisfied (while thou buildest, &c.); and thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget Jehovah (thy deliverer, thy leader, thy sustainer), and say in thine hear...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 10-20** Moses directs to the duty of a prosperous condition. Let them always remember their Benefactor. In everything we must give thanks. Moses arms them against the temptations of a prosperous condition. When men possess large estates, or are engaged in profitable business, they find the temptation to pride, forgetfulness of God, and carnal-mindedness, very strong; and they are anxi...
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Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein;

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KJV Study Commentary

The warning 'Lest when thou hast eaten and art full' begins a crucial section (vv. 12-14) describing prosperity's spiritual danger. The list—full stomach, good houses, multiplied herds/flocks/wealth—describes successful establishment in Canaan. These are legitimate blessings, not sinful pursuits. The danger isn't prosperity itself but its effect: 'thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(12) **Hast built goodly houses.**—One of the conditions prescribed by Jonadab the son of Rechab to his family was, “All your days ye shall *dwell in tents; *that ye may live many days in the land *where ye be strangers*” (Jeremiah 35:7).

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**11. only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of giants--**literally, "of Rephaim." He was not the last giant, but the only living remnant in the trans-jordanic country (Jos 15:14), of a certain gigantic race, supposed to be the most ancient inhabitants of Palestine. **behold, his bedstead was a bedstead of iron--**Although beds in the East are with the common people nothing more than a s...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 10-20** Moses directs to the duty of a prosperous condition. Let them always remember their Benefactor. In everything we must give thanks. Moses arms them against the temptations of a prosperous condition. When men possess large estates, or are engaged in profitable business, they find the temptation to pride, forgetfulness of God, and carnal-mindedness, very strong; and they are anxi...
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And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied;

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KJV Study Commentary

The repeated emphasis on multiplication—'herds and flocks multiply... silver and gold is multiplied... all that thou hast is multiplied'—describes comprehensive prosperity. The threefold repetition of 'multiplied' (<em>yirbeh</em>) emphasizes abundance. This isn't hypothetical but describes the expected result of obedience and God's blessing. The verse doesn't condemn wealth but describes a spirit...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**12-13. this land, which we possessed at that time, from Aroer ... gave I unto the Reubenites and to the Gadites--**The whole territory occupied by Sihon was parcelled out among the pastoral tribes of Reuben and Gad. It extended from the north bank of the Arnon to the south half of mount Gilead--a small mountain ridge, now called Djelaad, about six or seven miles south of the Jabbok, and eight mi...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 10-20** Moses directs to the duty of a prosperous condition. Let them always remember their Benefactor. In everything we must give thanks. Moses arms them against the temptations of a prosperous condition. When men possess large estates, or are engaged in profitable business, they find the temptation to pride, forgetfulness of God, and carnal-mindedness, very strong; and they are anxi...
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Then 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;

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KJV Study Commentary

The phrase 'thine heart be lifted up' (<em>ram levavkha</em>) describes pride—elevated self-assessment leading to self-reliance. The result is catastrophic: 'forget the LORD thy God.' The Hebrew <em>shakhach</em> (forget) means neglect, ignore, or fail to consider—not literal amnesia but practical atheism. The reminder 'which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage' ...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**12-13. this land, which we possessed at that time, from Aroer ... gave I unto the Reubenites and to the Gadites--**The whole territory occupied by Sihon was parcelled out among the pastoral tribes of Reuben and Gad. It extended from the north bank of the Arnon to the south half of mount Gilead--a small mountain ridge, now called Djelaad, about six or seven miles south of the Jabbok, and eight mi...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 10-20** Moses directs to the duty of a prosperous condition. Let them always remember their Benefactor. In everything we must give thanks. Moses arms them against the temptations of a prosperous condition. When men possess large estates, or are engaged in profitable business, they find the temptation to pride, forgetfulness of God, and carnal-mindedness, very strong; and they are anxi...
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Who 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;

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KJV Study Commentary

This verse catalogs God's provision in the wilderness: guidance through 'great and terrible wilderness,' protection from 'fiery serpents and scorpions,' provision of water in drought 'from the rock of flint.' Each element demonstrates God's power over hostile environments and circumstances. The wilderness was 'terrible' (<em>nora</em>, fear-inspiring, dangerous)—not a comfortable journey but genui...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(15) **The rock of flint.**—The rock in Horeb is called *tsûr; *the rock smitten in Kadesh, *selagh. *The first word conveys the idea of “hardness”; the other is rather a “cliff,” or “height,” and suggests the idea of inaccessibility. In Numbers 20:10, the words of Moses to the rebels, “Must we fetch you water out of this rock?” seem to help the distinction, whatever its purpose may be. On the ass...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**14. Jair the son of Manasseh took all the country of Argob--**The original inhabitants of the province north of Bashan, comprising sixty cities (De 3:4), not having been extirpated along with Og, this people were afterwards brought into subjection by the energy of Jair. This chief, of the tribe of Manasseh, in accordance with the pastoral habits of his people, called these newly acquired towns b...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 10-20** Moses directs to the duty of a prosperous condition. Let them always remember their Benefactor. In everything we must give thanks. Moses arms them against the temptations of a prosperous condition. When men possess large estates, or are engaged in profitable business, they find the temptation to pride, forgetfulness of God, and carnal-mindedness, very strong; and they are anxi...
Read full commentary →

Who 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;

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KJV Study Commentary

Manna's purpose extended beyond physical nourishment: 'that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end.' The Hebrew <em>anah</em> (humble) means to afflict or humble through testing. God used limitation and dependence to teach humility. <em>Nassah</em> (prove/test) means to test quality or character. The wilderness was God's classroom, training Israel in ...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**15. I gave Gilead unto Machir--**It was only the half of Gilead (De 3:12, 13) which was given to the descendants of Machir, who was now dead.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 10-20** Moses directs to the duty of a prosperous condition. Let them always remember their Benefactor. In everything we must give thanks. Moses arms them against the temptations of a prosperous condition. When men possess large estates, or are engaged in profitable business, they find the temptation to pride, forgetfulness of God, and carnal-mindedness, very strong; and they are anxi...
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And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.

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KJV Study Commentary

The warning against pride—'And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth'—addresses the universal temptation to attribute success to personal ability rather than divine blessing. Taking credit for God's gifts reveals prideful forgetfulness. The antidote is remembering 'it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth' (verse 18)—even ability to produce we...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**16. from Gilead--**that is, not the mountainous region, but the town Ramoth-gilead, **even unto the river Arnon half the valley--**The word "valley" signifies a wady, either filled with water or dry, as the Arnon is in summer, and thus the proper rendering of the passage will be--"even to the half or middle of the river Arnon" (compare Jos 12:2). This prudent arrangement of the boundaries was ...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 10-20** Moses directs to the duty of a prosperous condition. Let them always remember their Benefactor. In everything we must give thanks. Moses arms them against the temptations of a prosperous condition. When men possess large estates, or are engaged in profitable business, they find the temptation to pride, forgetfulness of God, and carnal-mindedness, very strong; and they are anxi...
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But 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.

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KJV Study Commentary

The reminder that God 'giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant' reveals wealth's purpose—enabling covenant community, not personal luxury. Prosperity should serve God's redemptive purposes, not selfish consumption. This challenges both asceticism (rejecting wealth as evil) and materialism (pursuing wealth as ultimate good). Wealth is morally neutral—a tool that can serv...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 10-20** Moses directs to the duty of a prosperous condition. Let them always remember their Benefactor. In everything we must give thanks. Moses arms them against the temptations of a prosperous condition. When men possess large estates, or are engaged in profitable business, they find the temptation to pride, forgetfulness of God, and carnal-mindedness, very strong; and they are anxi...
Read full commentary →

And 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.

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KJV Study Commentary

This verse presents covenant curse for forgetting God and pursuing idolatry. The conditional 'if thou do at all forget' uses emphatic Hebrew construction (<em>shakhoach tishkach</em>) meaning 'surely forget' or 'completely forget.' Walking after, serving, and worshiping other gods represents comprehensive apostasy—progressive departure from mild neglect to active idolatry. The phrase 'I testify ag...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 10-20** Moses directs to the duty of a prosperous condition. Let them always remember their Benefactor. In everything we must give thanks. Moses arms them against the temptations of a prosperous condition. When men possess large estates, or are engaged in profitable business, they find the temptation to pride, forgetfulness of God, and carnal-mindedness, very strong; and they are anxi...
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As 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.

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KJV Study Commentary

The comparison 'As the nations which the LORD destroyeth... so shall ye perish' makes Israel's potential fate explicit. The same God who judges Canaanite nations for wickedness will judge Israel for the same offenses. This destroys any notion of unconditional immunity—election doesn't mean freedom from judgment but greater accountability. The reason given is singular and sufficient: 'because ye wo...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(20) **Because ye would not be obedient.**—In return for your disobedience. The same word is employed in Deuteronomy 7:12. The use of the word in these two places might fairly be taken to mark off the intervening portion as a complete section of the discourse. **Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission. **Bible Hub

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 10-20** Moses directs to the duty of a prosperous condition. Let them always remember their Benefactor. In everything we must give thanks. Moses arms them against the temptations of a prosperous condition. When men possess large estates, or are engaged in profitable business, they find the temptation to pride, forgetfulness of God, and carnal-mindedness, very strong; and they are anxi...
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