King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
a land where you will eat food in abundance and lack nothing in it; a land where the stones contain iron and the hills can be mined for copper.
Berean Standard Bible:
a land where you will eat food without scarcity, where you will lack nothing; a land whose rocks are iron and whose hills are ready to be mined for copper.
American Standard Version:
a land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack anything in it; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills thou mayest dig copper.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
A land{H776} wherein{H834} thou shalt eat{H398} bread{H3899} without{H3808} scarceness{H4544}, thou shalt not lack{H2637} any thing in it; a land{H776} whose stones{H68} are iron{H1270}, and out of whose hills{H2042} thou mayest dig{H2672} brass{H5178}.
Cross-References (KJV):
1 Chronicles 22:14
- Now, behold, in my trouble I have prepared for the house of the LORD an hundred thousand talents of gold, and a thousand thousand talents of silver; and of brass and iron without weight; for it is in abundance: timber also and stone have I prepared; and thou mayest add thereto.
Joshua 22:8
- And he spake unto them, saying, Return with much riches unto your tents, and with very much cattle, with silver, and with gold, and with brass, and with iron, and with very much raiment: divide the spoil of your enemies with your brethren.
Deuteronomy 33:25
- Thy shoes [shall be] iron and brass; and as thy days, [so shall] thy strength [be].
Job 28:2
- Iron is taken out of the earth, and brass [is] molten [out of] the stone.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Deuteronomy 8:9
Deuteronomy 8:9 is part of Moses' second discourse to the Israelites, which occurs in the plains of Moab before they enter the Promised Land. The verse is set within a broader context where Moses is reminding the people of God's faithfulness and the importance of obedience to God's commandments once they inhabit the land.
**Themes:**
1. **Divine Providence:** The verse emphasizes God's provision for the Israelites, promising them a land of abundance where they will not suffer from want or hunger.
2. **Fertility of the Promised Land:** It highlights the fertility and richness of the land of Canaan, which is described metaphorically as having stones of iron and hills yielding brass, indicating the land's mineral wealth and suitability for agriculture and construction.
3. **Blessings for Obedience:** The promise of a land flowing with milk and honey is contingent upon the Israelites' obedience to God's laws, as outlined in Deuteronomy.
4. **Contrast to the Wilderness:** This verse contrasts the scarcity and hardships of the wilderness wanderings with the prosperity that awaits them in Canaan, serving as a reminder of God's power to transform their circumstances.
**Historical Context:**
The book of Deuteronomy is presented as a series of speeches delivered by Moses to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, east of the Jordan River, before they cross into the land of Canaan. This was near the end of the 40-year wilderness journey after the Exodus from Egypt. The Israelites are on the threshold of a new era, about to possess the land promised to their ancestors. Deuteronomy 8:9, therefore, serves as both a promise and a warning: a promise of the blessings that await them in the land and a warning to remember God's role in their provision and to remain faithful to the covenant.
The mention of iron and brass reflects the value of these materials in the ancient Near East. Iron was a strong and durable metal, essential for tools and weapons, while brass (an alloy of copper and zinc or tin) was used for a variety of purposes, including utensils, ornamentation, and structural elements. The reference to these materials underscores the wealth and suitability of the land for the sustenance and advancement of the Israelite nation.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H776
There are 2739 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֶרֶץ
Transliteration: ʼerets
Pronunciation: eh'-rets
Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. - Strong's Number: H834
There are 220 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֲשֶׁר
Transliteration: ʼăsher
Pronunciation: ash-er'
Description: a primitive relative pronoun (of every gender and number); who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.; [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. - Strong's Number: H398
There are 825 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָכַל
Transliteration: ʼâkal
Pronunciation: aw-kal'
Description: a primitive root; to eat (literally or figuratively); [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. - Strong's Number: H3899
There are 277 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לֶחֶם
Transliteration: lechem
Pronunciation: lekh'-em
Description: from לָחַם; See also בֵּית לְעַפְרָה; food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it); (shew-) bread, [idiom] eat, food, fruit, loaf, meat, victuals. - Strong's Number: H3808
There are 73 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לֹא
Transliteration: lôʼ
Pronunciation: lo
Description: or לוֹא; or לֹה; (Deuteronomy 3:11), a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles; [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. - Strong's Number: H4544
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִסְכֵּנֻת
Transliteration: miçkênuth
Pronunciation: mis-kay-nooth'
Description: from מִסְכֵּן; indigence; scarceness. - Strong's Number: H2637
There are 21 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָסֵר
Transliteration: châçêr
Pronunciation: khaw-sare'
Description: a primitive root; to lack; by implication, to fail, want, lessen; be abated, bereave, decrease, (cause to) fail, (have) lack, make lower, want. - Strong's Number: H68
There are 1276 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֶבֶן
Transliteration: ʼeben
Pronunciation: eh'-ben
Description: from the root of בָּנָה through the meaning to build; a stone; [phrase] carbuncle, [phrase] mason, [phrase] plummet, (chalk-, hail-, head-, sling-) stone(-ny), (divers) weight(-s). - Strong's Number: H1270
There are 70 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בַּרְזֶל
Transliteration: barzel
Pronunciation: bar-zel'
Description: perhaps from the root of בִּרְזוֹת; iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement; (ax) head, iron. - Strong's Number: H2042
There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: הָרָר
Transliteration: hârâr
Pronunciation: haw-rawr'
Description: from an unused root meaning to loom up; a mountain; hill, mount(-ain). - Strong's Number: H2672
There are 22 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָצַב
Transliteration: châtsab
Pronunciation: khaw-tsab'
Description: or חָצֵב; a primitive root; to cut or carve (wood, stone or other material); by implication, to hew, split, square, quarry, engrave; cut, dig, divide, grave, hew (out, -er), made, mason. - Strong's Number: H5178
There are 119 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נְחֹשֶׁת
Transliteration: nᵉchôsheth
Pronunciation: nekh-o'-sheth
Description: for נְחוּשָׁה; copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e. coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as compared with gold or silver); brasen, brass, chain, copper, fetter (of brass), filthiness, steel.