King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 6:11 Mean?

Deuteronomy 6:11 in the King James Version says “And houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and ol...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not; when thou shalt have eaten and be full;”

Deuteronomy 6:11 · KJV

Context

9

And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

10

And it shall be, when the LORD thy God shall have brought thee into the land which he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not,

11

And houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not; when thou shalt have eaten and be full;

12

Then beware lest thou forget the LORD, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. bondage: Heb. bondmen or, servants

13

Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.

Read Deuteronomy 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The phrase 'houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not' describes unearned inheritance—God's grace providing what Israel didn't produce. The list of blessings (wells, vineyards, olive trees) represents comprehensive provision: water, wine, oil—essentials of ancient Near Eastern life. This generosity illustrates sovereign grace: election and blessing precede human merit or effort. The warning 'when thou shalt have eaten and be full' anticipates the danger of prosperity breeding spiritual complacency. Material blessing tests faithfulness more severely than adversity. The Reformed doctrine of total depravity recognizes that humans naturally credit themselves for God's gifts.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Israel would inherit Canaanite cities, agricultural infrastructure, and established homes without building or planting (circa 1406-1400 BC under Joshua). The conquest fulfilled God's promise to give Abraham's descendants the land (Genesis 15:18-21). Canaanites had cultivated vineyards, dug wells, and planted olive groves—Israel inherited this accumulated labor. This prefigures Christians inheriting salvation accomplished entirely by Christ, not our works (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does inheriting 'houses full of good things' you didn't earn illustrate the principle of grace preceding merit?
  2. In what ways does material prosperity test spiritual faithfulness more severely than adversity or scarcity?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וּבָ֨תִּ֜ים1 of 19

“And houses”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

מְלֵאִ֣ים2 of 19

“full”

H4392

full (literally or figuratively) or filling (literally); also (concretely) fulness; adverbially, fully

כָּל3 of 19
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

טוּב֮4 of 19

“of all good”

H2898

good (as a noun), in the widest sense, especially goodness (superlative concretely, the best), beauty, gladness, welfare

אֲשֶׁ֣ר5 of 19
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לֹֽא6 of 19
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

מִלֵּאתָ֒7 of 19

“things which thou filledst”

H4390

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

וּבֹרֹ֤ת8 of 19

“not and wells”

H953

a pit hole (especially one used as a cistern or a prison)

חָצַ֔בְתָּ9 of 19

“digged”

H2672

to cut or carve (wood, stone or other material); by implication, to hew, split, square, quarry, engrave

אֲשֶׁ֣ר10 of 19
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לֹֽא11 of 19
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

חָצַ֔בְתָּ12 of 19

“digged”

H2672

to cut or carve (wood, stone or other material); by implication, to hew, split, square, quarry, engrave

כְּרָמִ֥ים13 of 19

“not vineyards”

H3754

a garden or vineyard

וְזֵיתִ֖ים14 of 19

“and olive trees”

H2132

an olive (as yielding illuminating oil), the tree, the branch or the berry

אֲשֶׁ֣ר15 of 19
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לֹֽא16 of 19
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

נָטָ֑עְתָּ17 of 19

“which thou plantedst”

H5193

properly, to strike in, i.e., fix; specifically, to plant (literally or figuratively)

וְאָֽכַלְתָּ֖18 of 19

“not when thou shalt have eaten”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

וְשָׂבָֽעְתָּ׃19 of 19

“and be full”

H7646

to sate, i.e., fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 6:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 6:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 7:12-18Deuteronomy 8:10-20Ezekiel 16:10-20Jeremiah 2:31-32Proverbs 30:8-9Deuteronomy 32:15

Test Your Knowledge

Deuteronomy 6 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterDeuteronomy Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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