Deuteronomy 11:15

KJV

And I will send grass in thy fields for thy cattle, that thou mayest eat and be full.

KJV (with Strong's)

And I will send {H5414} grass {H6212} in thy fields {H7704} for thy cattle {H929}, that thou mayest eat {H398} and be full {H7646}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and I will give your fields grass for your livestock; with the result that you will eat and be satisfied.'

Berean Standard Bible

And I will provide grass in the fields for your livestock, and you will eat and be satisfied.

American Standard Version

And I will give grass in thy fields for thy cattle, and thou shalt eat and be full.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 11:15 stands as a profound promise of divine provision, assuring the Israelites that their obedience would be met with abundant natural resources. This verse, nestled within Moses' final discourse before entering the Promised Land, highlights God's active commitment to sustaining His people and their livestock through lush pasturage, ensuring complete satisfaction and underscoring their absolute dependence on His faithfulness for their prosperity in the new land.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a direct continuation of the conditional blessings outlined in [Deuteronomy 11:13-14](/deuteronomy/11-13 "Deuteronomy 11:13-14 - Conditions for Blessing"). Moses is emphasizing the stark contrast between Egypt, where irrigation was necessary, and Canaan, a land dependent on God's rain. The promise of "grass in thy fields" directly follows the assurance of "rain in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain" ([Deuteronomy 11:14](/deuteronomy/11-14 "Deuteronomy 11:14 - Promise of Rain")). The entire chapter serves as a pivotal exhortation to choose life through obedience, contrasting the blessings of faithfulness with the curses of disobedience, setting the stage for the covenant renewal in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites were on the verge of entering Canaan, a land geographically and climatically distinct from Egypt. While Egypt relied on the predictable annual flooding of the Nile, Canaan's agricultural success was entirely dependent on seasonal rainfall—the "early rain" (autumn, for planting) and the "latter rain" (spring, for ripening). This made the promise of rain, and subsequently, the growth of grass, a direct indicator of divine favor and the very foundation of their agrarian economy. Livestock (cattle, sheep, goats) were central to their wealth, food supply, and sacrificial system, making the provision of pasture critical for their entire societal well-being. The nomadic past and the impending settled life in a land flowing with milk and honey ([Exodus 3:8](/exodus/3-8 "Exodus 3:8 - A Land Flowing with Milk and Honey")) underscored their reliance on God for sustenance in a new, unfamiliar environment.
* **Key Themes:** Deuteronomy 11:15 powerfully reinforces several overarching themes within Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. It speaks to **Divine Provision and Sustenance**, asserting God as the ultimate source of all life and prosperity, actively intervening in the natural world to care for His people. This provision is explicitly linked to **Conditional Blessing**, where Israel's faithfulness to the covenant stipulations directly impacts their physical well-being and agricultural abundance, a theme echoed throughout the law (e.g., [Leviticus 26](/leviticus/26 "Leviticus 26 - Blessings for Obedience, Curses for Disobedience")). Furthermore, the verse highlights God's **Holistic Care**, extending His concern beyond human needs to encompass the entire ecosystem and economy of His people, including their vital livestock. Finally, it underscores the fundamental principle of **Dependence on God**, teaching Israel that their security and flourishing would come not from their own strength or ingenuity, but from their unwavering reliance on the Lord's faithfulness, a lesson consistently taught from the wilderness wanderings (e.g., [Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Deuteronomy 8:3 - Man Does Not Live by Bread Alone")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Grass (Hebrew, _deshe'_):** This term refers to tender, green growth, often specifically pasture or young vegetation. Its use here signifies not just any vegetation, but lush, fresh, and abundant growth—the ideal fodder for cattle. In the broader biblical narrative, "deshe" often appears in contexts of creation and divine provision, as seen in [Genesis 1:11](/genesis/1-11 "Genesis 1:11 - Creation of Vegetation"), emphasizing God's life-giving power and ongoing sustenance of His creation.
* **Send (Hebrew, _natan'_):** The verb "natan" means "to give," "to place," or "to set." Here, it emphasizes God's active, intentional, and sovereign initiative in providing. It's not merely a passive allowance of growth but a direct, purposeful act of divine bestowal, highlighting His personal involvement in Israel's well-being.
* **Full (Hebrew, _sava'_):** This word conveys the idea of complete satisfaction, being sated, having more than enough, or even being surfeited. It goes beyond mere survival or basic sustenance, promising a generous abundance that leads to contentment and well-being. This suggests a state of prosperity where needs are not just met, but richly exceeded, a hallmark of God's covenant blessings.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I will send grass":** This opening phrase immediately establishes God as the active subject and primary agent of provision. The future tense "I will send" is a divine promise, underscoring His commitment and power to bring about this blessing. "Grass" represents the foundational element of their agricultural economy, essential for livestock.
* **"in thy fields":** This specifies the location of the blessing—the cultivated and pastured lands within the Promised Land. It connects the divine promise directly to their physical inheritance and daily life, assuring them that their very livelihood would be blessed.
* **"for thy cattle,":** This clause highlights God's holistic care, extending His provision beyond human needs to include the animals that were integral to Israelite society, economy, and diet. It demonstrates the interconnectedness of their ecosystem and God's comprehensive concern for all aspects of their well-being.
* **"that thou mayest eat":** This indicates the direct human benefit of the provision. The cattle consume the grass, convert it into milk, meat, and labor, which then directly sustains the people. It's a chain of blessing initiated by God.
* **"and be full.":** This final phrase encapsulates the desired outcome: complete satisfaction and abundance. It signifies not just enough to survive, but enough to thrive, to be sated and content, reflecting the generosity and overflowing nature of God's blessing when His people walk in obedience.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 11:15 is rich with literary techniques that enhance its message. The most prominent is **Promise**, as God directly declares His future action ("I will send"). This promise is inherently a **Conditional Blessing**, deeply embedded within the broader context of [Deuteronomy 11](/deuteronomy/11 "Deuteronomy 11 - Choosing Life and Blessing"), where obedience is explicitly linked to prosperity. The phrase "grass in thy fields for thy cattle, that thou mayest eat and be full" employs **Synecdoche**, where "grass" stands for the entire agricultural bounty and the health of the ecosystem, which in turn supports human sustenance. There is also an implied **Cause and Effect** relationship: God sends rain (implied from [Deuteronomy 11:14](/deuteronomy/11-14 "Deuteronomy 11:14 - Promise of Rain")), which causes grass to grow, which feeds cattle, which in turn feeds and satisfies the people. This illustrates a divine economy of blessing. The use of "thy" (singular, referring to Israel as a collective) creates a sense of direct, personal address, fostering intimacy and accountability.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 11:15 powerfully articulates God's character as the benevolent and faithful Provider, whose active involvement ensures the sustenance and flourishing of His people. This promise is rooted in the covenant relationship, where divine blessings are contingent upon human obedience, reflecting a fundamental theological principle woven throughout the Old Testament. It underscores that true security and abundance are found not in human ingenuity or self-reliance, but in humble dependence on God's sovereign hand. The holistic nature of the provision, extending to livestock, further emphasizes God's comprehensive care for all aspects of life, mirroring His original design for creation where all living things are sustained by His word.

* [Genesis 1:29-30](/genesis/1-29 "Genesis 1:29-30 - God's Provision for All Life")
* [Psalm 104:14](/psalm/104-14 "Psalm 104:14 - God Makes Grass Grow")
* [Matthew 6:33](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seek First the Kingdom")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 11:15 offers timeless principles for believers today, even under a new covenant. It calls us to recognize God as the ultimate source of all provision, whether it be the food on our tables, the health of our bodies, or the resources for our work. In a world often driven by self-sufficiency and anxiety over material needs, this verse invites us to cultivate a posture of profound dependence and gratitude. It challenges us to consider how our obedience—not to the specific agricultural laws of ancient Israel, but to the moral and spiritual commands of Christ—aligns us with God's blessings in our lives. While material prosperity is not guaranteed in the New Covenant in the same way, the principle remains that seeking God's kingdom first often positions us to experience His generous and holistic care, fostering contentment and freeing us from worry. This verse encourages us to trust that the God who provided grass for cattle and food for Israel will also meet our needs, prompting us to live with open hands, ready to receive and to share His abundance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does recognizing God as the ultimate provider for your daily needs impact your sense of security and gratitude?**
* **In what ways might a lack of "fullness" or satisfaction in your life be connected to a lack of trust or obedience towards God?**
* **How can the principle of God's holistic care for "cattle" (representing all creation) inform your approach to environmental stewardship or care for others?**

### FAQ
**Why is the provision of "grass" so significant in this verse?**

Answer: The provision of "grass" (דֶּשֶׁא, _deshe'_) is profoundly significant because it was the foundational element of the ancient Israelite economy and a direct indicator of God's blessing. In Canaan, unlike Egypt, agricultural success and the sustenance of livestock (cattle, sheep, goats) were entirely dependent on timely rainfall. Without grass, livestock would starve, leading to famine for the people who relied on these animals for food (meat, milk), clothing (wool, hides), labor, and even religious sacrifices. Therefore, God's promise to "send grass" was a direct assurance of life, prosperity, and the flourishing of their entire society, demonstrating His active and benevolent involvement in their daily existence. It symbolized the abundance that flowed from covenant faithfulness, as detailed in [Deuteronomy 11:13-14](/deuteronomy/11-13 "Deuteronomy 11:13-14 - Conditions for Blessing").

**Does this promise of material provision apply to believers today in the same way?**

Answer: While the specific agricultural context of Deuteronomy 11:15 belongs to the Old Covenant with Israel, the underlying theological principle of God as a faithful provider remains eternally true for New Testament believers. God still sustains His creation and provides for His people, as seen in Jesus' teachings about not worrying about food or clothing because God cares for the birds and lilies ([Matthew 6:25-34](/matthew/6-25 "Matthew 6:25-34 - Do Not Worry")). However, the New Covenant emphasizes spiritual blessings and a different relationship to material prosperity. While God promises to meet our needs ([Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "Philippians 4:19 - God Will Supply All Your Needs")), this is not always a guarantee of material abundance or freedom from hardship, as the Christian life often involves suffering for Christ's sake ([2 Timothy 3:12](/2_timothy/3-12 "2 Timothy 3:12 - Persecution for Godliness")). The core principle is that seeking God's kingdom and righteousness first aligns us with His will and provision, which may manifest differently than in ancient Israel.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 11:15, with its promise of abundant physical provision, finds its ultimate and deeper fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the true source of all life and satisfaction. While the Old Covenant promise focused on physical sustenance in the land, Christ embodies the spiritual "grass" and "fullness" that truly satisfies the human soul. He declared Himself the "[bread of life](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")," promising that whoever comes to Him "shall never hunger" and whoever believes in Him "shall never thirst," transcending mere physical satiation to offer eternal spiritual nourishment. Just as God provided manna in the wilderness and grass in Canaan, Jesus miraculously fed the multitudes ([Matthew 14:13-21](/matthew/14-13 "Matthew 14:13-21 - Feeding the Five Thousand")), demonstrating His divine power to provide. More profoundly, He offered His body as the ultimate provision, the "[Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")," ensuring that those who partake of Him through faith receive eternal life and spiritual abundance. Thus, the promise of being "full" in Deuteronomy 11:15 is fully realized in Christ, who offers not just temporary physical satisfaction, but an enduring spiritual fullness and peace that surpasses all understanding ([Philippians 4:7](/philippians/4-7 "Philippians 4:7 - The Peace of God")). He is the one through whom God continues to sustain all things, both physically and spiritually, for His people ([Colossians 1:17](/colossians/1-17 "Colossians 1:17 - Christ Sustains All Things")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 6:11

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;

Psalms 104:14

He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth;

Joel 2:19

Yea, the LORD will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen:

Malachi 3:10

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that [there shall] not [be room] enough [to receive it].

Malachi 3:11

And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.

Joel 2:22

Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength.

Deuteronomy 8:10

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