TRV
Translation
King James Version
And that ye may prolong your days in the land, which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give unto them and to their seed, a land that floweth with milk and honey.
Complete Jewish Bible
and so that you will live long in the land ADONAI swore to give to your ancestors and their descendants, a land flowing with milk and honey.
Berean Standard Bible
and so that you may live long in the land that the LORD swore to your fathers to give them and their descendants, a land flowing with milk and honey.
American Standard Version
and that ye may prolong your days in the land, which Jehovah sware unto your fathers to give unto them and to their seed, a land flowing with milk and honey.
World English Bible Messianic
and that you may prolong your days in the land, which the LORD swore to your fathers to give to them and to their seed, a land flowing with milk and honey.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Also that ye may prolong your daies in the land, which the Lord sware vnto your fathers, to giue vnto them and to their seede, euen a lande that floweth with milke and honie.
Young's Literal Translation
and so that ye prolong days on the ground which Jehovah hath sworn to your fathers to give to them and to their seed--a land flowing with milk and honey.
See also
In the KJVVerse 5,218 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Deuteronomy 11 verses 8–17
8 ¶ Therefore shall ye keep all the commandments which I command you this day, that ye may be strong, and go in and possess the land, whither ye go to possess it;
9 And that ye may prolong your days in the land, which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give unto them and to their seed, a land that floweth with milk and honey.
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:
11 But the land, whither ye go to possess it, is a land of hills and valleys, and drinketh water of the rain of heaven:
12 A land which the LORD thy God careth for: the eyes of the LORD thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year.
13 And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul,
14 That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil.
15 And I will send grass in thy fields for thy cattle, that thou mayest eat and be full.
16 Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;
17 And then the LORD'S wrath be kindled against you, and he shut up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit; and lest ye perish quickly from off the good land which the LORD giveth you.
Still Moses urges the same subject, as loth to conclude till he had gained his point. "If thou wilt enter into life, if thou wilt enter into Canaan, a type of that life, and find it a good land indeed to thee, keep the commandments: Keep all the commandments which I command you this day; love God, and serve him with all your heart."
I. Because this was the way to get and keep possession of the promised land. 1. It was the way to get possession (Deu 11:8): That you may be strong for war, and so go in and possess it. So little did they know either of hardship or hazard in the wars of Canaan that he does not say they should go in and fight for it; no, they had nothing in effect to do but go in and possess it. He does not go about to teach them the art of war, how to draw the bow, and use the sword, and keep ranks, that they might be strong, and go in and possess the land; no, but let them keep God's commandments, and their religion, while they are true to it, will be their strength, and secure their success. (2.) It was the way to keep possession (Deu 11:9): That you may prolong your days in this land that your eye is upon. Sin tends to the shortening of the days of particular persons and to the shortening of the days of a people's prosperity; but obedience will be a lengthening out of their tranquillity.
II. Because the land of Canaan, into which they were going, had a more sensible dependence upon the blessing of heaven than the land of Egypt had, Deu 11:10-12. Egypt was a country fruitful enough, but it was all flat, and was watered, not as other countries with rain (it is said of Egypt, Zac 14:18, that it has no rain), but by the overflowing of the river Nile at a certain season of the year, to the improving of which there was necessary a great deal of the art and labour of the husbandman, so that in Egypt a man must bestow as much cost and pains upon a field as upon a garden of herbs. And this made them the more apt to imagine that the power of their own hands got them this wealth. But the land of Canaan was an uneven country, a land of hills and valleys, which not only gave a more pleasing prospect to the eye, but yielded a greater variety of soils for the several purposes of the husbandman. It was a land that had no great rivers in it, except Jordan, but drank water of the rain of heaven, and so, 1. Saved them a great deal of labour. While the Egyptians were ditching and guttering in the fields, up to the knees in mud, to bring water to their land, which otherwise would soon become like the heath in the wilderness, the Israelites could sit in their houses, warm and easy, and leave it to God to water their land with the former and the latter rain, which is called the river of God (Psa 65:9), perhaps in allusion to, and contempt of, the river of Egypt, which that nation was so proud of. Note, The better God has provided, by our outward condition, for our ease and convenience, the more we should abound in his service: the less we have to do for our bodies the more we should do for God and our souls. 2. So he directed them to look upwards to God, who giveth us rain form heaven and fruitful seasons (Act 14:17), and promised to be himself as the dew unto Israel, Hos 14:5. Note, (1.) Mercies bring with them the greatest comfort and sweetness when we see them coming from heaven, the immediate gifts of divine Providence. (2.) The closer dependence we have upon God the more cheerful we should be in our obedience to him. See how Moses here magnifies the land of Canaan above all other lands, that the eyes of God were always upon it, that is, they should be so, to see that nothing was wanting, while they kept close to God and duty; its fruitfulness should be not so much the happy effect of its soil as the immediate fruit of the divine blessing; this may be inferred from its present state, for it is said to be at this day, now that God has departed from it, as barren a spot of ground as perhaps any under heaven. Call it not Naomi: call it Marah.
III. Because God would certainly bless them with an abundance of all good things if they would love him and serve him (Deu 11:13-15): I will give you the rain of your land in due season, so that they should neither want it when the ground called for it nor have it in excess; but they should have the former rain, which fell at seed-time, and the latter rain, which fell before the harvest, Amo 4:7. This represented all the seasonable blessings which God would bestow upon them, especially spiritual comforts, which should come as the latter and former, rain, Hos 6:3. And the earth thus watered produced, 1. Fruits for the service of man, corn and wine, and oil, Psa 104:13-15. 2. Grass for the cattle, that they also might be serviceable to man, that he might eat of them and be full, Deu 11:15. Godliness hath here the promise of the life that now is; but the favour of God shall put gladness into the heart, more than the increase of corn, and wine, and oil will.
IV. Because their revolt from God to idols. would certainly be their ruin: Take heed that your hearts be not deceived, Deu 11:16, Deu 11:17. All that forsake God to set their affection upon, or pay their devotion to, any creature, will find themselves wretchedly deceived to their own destruction; and this will aggravate it that it was purely for want of taking heed. A little care would have prevented their being imposed upon by the great deceiver. To awaken them to take heed, Moses here tells them plainly that if they should turn aside to other gods, 1. They would provoke the wrath of God against them; and who knows the power of that anger? 2. Good things would be turned away from them; the heaven would withhold its rain, and then of course the earth would not yield its fruit. 3. Evil things would come upon them; they would perish quickly form off this good land. And the better the land was the more grievous it would be to perish from it. The goodness of the land would not be their security, when the badness of the inhabitants had made them ripe for ruin.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 8–17. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 11:9 articulates a foundational principle of the Old Covenant: the direct correlation between Israel's faithful obedience to God's commandments and the blessing of prolonged, stable, and prosperous dwelling in the Promised Land. This land, described as "flowing with milk and honey," was not earned by Israel but was a gracious gift, secured by the LORD's unbreakable oath to their ancestors, underscoring God's unwavering covenant faithfulness and the conditional nature of their continued enjoyment of His provision.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 11:9 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message with vividness and theological weight. The phrase "a land that floweth with milk and honey" is a classic idiom and metaphor for extraordinary fertility and abundance, painting a vivid picture of prosperity that contrasts sharply with the wilderness experience. This phrase also functions as a merism, where "milk" (representing animal products) and "honey" (representing plant products) together signify the totality of agricultural richness and natural bounty. The repeated emphasis on "the land" throughout Deuteronomy, and specifically here, acts as a leitmotif, grounding the theological principles in a tangible, geographical reality that was central to Israel's identity and destiny. Furthermore, the phrase "which the LORD sware unto your fathers" utilizes powerful covenantal language, invoking the foundational, legally binding oaths God made with the patriarchs, thereby emphasizing the divine guarantee and the immutable nature of His promises. This underscores God's faithfulness as a central, unwavering theme.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 11:9 serves as a profound theological anchor, connecting God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises with the tangible blessings of obedience. It reveals that the land was not a reward for Israel's merit but a gracious inheritance guaranteed by God's solemn oath to the patriarchs. Yet, the enjoyment and prolonged possession of this promised land were directly contingent upon the nation's ongoing fidelity to the Mosaic covenant. This establishes a clear pattern of divine blessing flowing from human obedience within the Old Covenant framework. It teaches that God's promises are sure, but their full experience in the earthly realm often requires a responsive heart and obedient actions from His people. The land, therefore, becomes a living testament to both God's steadfastness and the consequences of Israel's choices, illustrating a fundamental principle of divine-human interaction.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While believers today do not inherit a literal land flowing with milk and honey, the profound principles embedded in Deuteronomy 11:9 remain profoundly relevant for our spiritual lives. This verse powerfully reassures us of God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises, reminding us that just as He fulfilled His oath to Israel, He is faithful to His new covenant promises to believers in Christ. Our "land" is now a spiritual inheritance—a life filled with the Holy Spirit's presence, peace, joy, and the promise of eternal life, which are far richer and more enduring than any earthly possession. The principle that obedience to God's will leads to a rich and abundant life still holds true, not as a means to earn salvation, but as the path to experiencing the fullness of God's blessing and purpose in our lives. Living according to God's Word brings spiritual fruitfulness, peace, and a sense of dwelling securely in His presence, truly a spiritual "milk and honey" that satisfies the soul.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the significance of "milk and honey" in this verse?
Answer: The phrase "milk and honey" is an ancient idiom used throughout the Old Testament to describe a land of extraordinary fertility, abundance, and prosperity. It first appears in Exodus 3:8, where God promises to bring Israel out of Egypt into such a land. "Milk" signifies rich pasturage for livestock, leading to plentiful dairy products, while "honey" refers to the sweet syrup from dates, figs, or wild bee honey, indicating a land rich in flowering plants and fruit-bearing trees. Together, they paint a vivid picture of a land capable of sustaining a thriving population with ease, contrasting sharply with the barren wilderness they had traversed and the irrigated lands of Egypt. It symbolizes God's lavish provision and the ideal state of blessing for His people.
Does "prolong your days" refer only to physical longevity?
Answer: While "prolong your days" certainly includes the idea of individual physical longevity, in the context of Deuteronomy and the nation of Israel, it primarily refers to the national stability, security, and sustained well-being of the people in the Promised Land. It signifies that the nation would continue to exist, thrive, and possess the land for many generations, free from foreign invasion or internal collapse, as long as they remained obedient to God's covenant. It's a collective blessing for the obedient nation, ensuring their continued inheritance and prosperity in the land God swore to give them, rather than simply a promise of extended individual lifespans.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 11:9, with its promise of prolonged days in a land flowing with milk and honey, finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The earthly Promised Land, a place of rest and abundance under the Old Covenant, foreshadows the spiritual rest and abundant life offered through Christ. He is our true "rest," inviting all who are weary and burdened to find rest for their souls in Him, as promised in Matthew 11:28. The "prolonging of days" in the land points to the eternal life and secure inheritance believers have in Christ, a life that is not merely long but everlasting, as John 3:16 declares. Furthermore, the "land flowing with milk and honey" symbolizes the spiritual blessings and rich provision we receive in Christ—the "abundant life" He came to give (John 10:10). Our inheritance is no longer a physical territory but a spiritual reality in the heavenly places, filled with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3 and Ephesians 1:11). The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control—can be seen as the "milk and honey" of the New Covenant, the tangible evidence of God's abundant life flowing through us as we walk in obedience to Him, not to earn salvation, but in grateful response to His finished work on the cross (Galatians 5:22-23).