Deuteronomy 11:10

For the land, whither thou goest in to possess it, [is] not as the land of Egypt, from whence ye came out, where thou sowedst thy seed, and wateredst [it] with thy foot, as a garden of herbs:

For the land {H776}, whither thou goest in {H935} to possess {H3423} it, is not as the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}, from whence ye came out {H3318}, where thou sowedst {H2232} thy seed {H2233}, and wateredst {H8248} it with thy foot {H7272}, as a garden {H1588} of herbs {H3419}:

"For the land you are entering in order to take possession of it isn't like the land of Egypt. There you would sow your seed and had to use your feet to operate its irrigation system, as in a vegetable garden.

For the land that you are entering to possess is not like the land of Egypt, from which you have come, where you sowed your seed and irrigated on foot, like a vegetable garden.

For the land, whither thou goest in to possess it, is not as the land of Egypt, from whence ye came out, where thou sowedst thy seed, and wateredst it with thy foot, as a garden of herbs;

Commentary

Deuteronomy 11:10 is part of Moses' second major discourse to the Israelites, delivered on the plains of Moab just before they were to enter the Promised Land. In this verse, Moses highlights a fundamental difference between their past experience in Egypt and their future in Canaan.

Historical and Cultural Context

The Israelites had spent generations in bondage in Egypt, a land whose agricultural prosperity was entirely dependent on the annual flooding of the Nile River. Egyptian farming required extensive human labor for irrigation, often involving intricate systems of canals and water wheels. The phrase "wateredst it with thy foot" vividly describes this laborious process. It could refer to operating a foot-powered water wheel (like a shaduf) or using one's foot to direct water flow through small channels from larger irrigation ditches to individual plots, ensuring every "garden of herbs" received water. This contrasts sharply with the Promised Land of Canaan, which would rely on a different, divinely orchestrated system of provision.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Provision vs. Human Labor: The core message is that God's provision in Canaan would not be like the human-engineered, labor-intensive irrigation systems of Egypt. Instead, the fertility of the new land would hinge directly on God's blessing through rainfall, as elaborated in Deuteronomy 11:11-12. This shifts the focus from human effort to divine faithfulness.
  • A Land of Dependence: This contrast underscores that true prosperity in God's covenant relationship comes from relying on Him, not solely on human ingenuity or toil. The land itself would serve as a constant reminder of their dependence on God's direct care.
  • A New Way of Life: Leaving Egypt symbolized not only freedom from slavery but also a departure from a mindset rooted in self-reliance and arduous labor. The new land required a new form of trust and obedience to God's unique methods of sustenance.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "wateredst it with thy foot" is a direct translation of the Hebrew, which refers to a method of irrigation common in the Nile Valley. This practice involved either using one's foot to operate a simple water-lifting device or, more commonly, to open and close small earthen dams or channels to direct water from a main ditch to specific parts of a field or garden. It signifies a very hands-on, continuous, and laborious effort required to cultivate crops in Egypt, unlike the rain-fed agriculture of Canaan.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 11:10 offers profound insight for believers today. It reminds us that God's ways of providing for us may differ significantly from what we are accustomed to or what the world dictates. Just as the Israelites had to learn to trust God for rain rather than relying on their own irrigation efforts, we are called to trust God for our provision, even when it doesn't come through conventional or human-controlled means. It encourages us to shift our reliance from self-sufficiency and arduous ingenuity to seeking God's kingdom and His righteousness, knowing that He will provide all that we truly need.

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Cross-References

  • Zechariah 14:18 (4 votes)

    And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that [have] no [rain]; there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.