Deuteronomy 8:17

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of [mine] hand hath gotten me this wealth.

Complete Jewish Bible:

you will think to yourself, 'My own power and the strength of my own hand have gotten me this wealth.'

Berean Standard Bible:

You might say in your heart, “The power and strength of my hands have made this wealth for me.”

American Standard Version:

and lest thou say in thy heart, My power and the might of my hand hath gotten me this wealth.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And thou say^{H559} in thine heart^{H3824}, My power^{H3581} and the might^{H6108} of mine hand^{H3027} hath gotten^{H6213} me this wealth^{H2428}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Deuteronomy 8:17

Deuteronomy 8:17 is part of Moses' second discourse in the book of Deuteronomy, which is a series of sermons or speeches he gives to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. The verse reflects a theme central to the book: the importance of recognizing that prosperity and success come from God, not from one's own power or ability.

**Themes:**
1. **Humility and Gratitude:** Moses warns the people against self-reliance and pride. The Israelites are reminded that their wealth and success are blessings from God, stemming from His faithfulness to the covenant He made with their ancestors.
2. **Divine Providence:** The verse emphasizes God's role in the Israelites' success, underscoring the belief that it is God who provides and sustains, not human strength alone.
3. **Covenant Obligations:** This warning also serves to reinforce the Israelites' commitment to God's laws and covenant. By acknowledging God's provision, they are reminded of their duty to obey His commandments and to live righteously.

**Historical Context:**
The book of Deuteronomy is set just before the Israelites cross the Jordan River into Canaan, the land promised to their forefathers. The Israelites have spent 40 years wandering in the wilderness due to their previous disobedience and lack of faith. Now, as they stand on the brink of a new life in a fertile land, Moses seeks to instill in them a proper understanding of their dependence on God.

This verse is part of a larger passage (Deuteronomy 8:7-20) that describes the prosperity the Israelites will experience in Canaan, a land with abundant resources. Moses anticipates the temptation for the people to become complacent and self-sufficient once they are no longer in the harsh conditions of the desert. He warns them not to forget God in their future prosperity, as forgetting God and attributing their success to their own strength would lead to disobedience and, ultimately, divine judgment.

In summary, Deuteronomy 8:17 is a caution against hubris and a call to remember God's role in granting success. It is a theological statement about the nature of blessings and a practical warning to the ancient Israelites, and by extension to all readers, to maintain a posture of humility and dependence on God in times of prosperity.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: H3824
   There are 230 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לֵבָב
   Transliteration: lêbâb
   Pronunciation: lay-bawb'
   Description: from לָבַב; used also like לֵב; the heart (as the most interior organ); [phrase] bethink themselves, breast, comfortably, courage, ((faint), (tender-) heart(-ed), midst, mind, [idiom] unawares, understanding.
   
3. Strong's Number: H3581
   There are 121 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כֹּחַ
   Transliteration: kôach
   Pronunciation: ko'-akh
   Description: or (Daniel 11:6) כּוֹחַ; from an unused root meaning to be firm; vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce); also (from its hardiness) a large lizard; ability, able, chameleon, force, fruits, might, power(-ful), strength, substance, wealth.
   
4. Strong's Number: H6108
   There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֹצֶם
   Transliteration: ʻôtsem
   Pronunciation: o'-tsem
   Description: from עָצַם; power; hence, body; might, strong, substance.
   
5. Strong's Number: H3027
   There are 1447 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָד
   Transliteration: yâd
   Pronunciation: yawd
   Description: a primitive word; in distinction from כַּף, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate and remote (as follows); a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),; ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves.
   
6. Strong's Number: H6213
   There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָשָׂה
   Transliteration: ʻâsâh
   Pronunciation: aw-saw'
   Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use.
   
7. Strong's Number: H2428
   There are 228 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חַיִל
   Transliteration: chayil
   Pronunciation: khah'-yil
   Description: from חוּל; probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength; able, activity, ([phrase]) army, band of men (soldiers), company, (great) forces, goods, host, might, power, riches, strength, strong, substance, train, ([phrase]) valiant(-ly), valour, virtuous(-ly), war, worthy(-ily).