Deuteronomy 26:9

KJV

And he hath brought us into this place, and hath given us this land, [even] a land that floweth with milk and honey.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he hath brought {H935} us into this place {H4725}, and hath given {H5414} us this land {H776}, even a land {H776} that floweth {H2100} with milk {H2461} and honey {H1706}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Now he has brought us to this place and given us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey.

Berean Standard Bible

And He brought us to this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey.

American Standard Version

and he hath brought us into this place, and hath given us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 26:9 encapsulates the culmination of God's covenant faithfulness to Israel, declaring His sovereign act of bringing them into the promised land—a land of extraordinary abundance and blessing. This verse is part of a liturgical confession recited during the firstfruits offering, serving as a profound reminder of divine provision, the fulfillment of ancient promises, and the basis for the nation's gratitude and worship. It underscores that their possession of the land was not by their own might but by God's gracious hand, establishing a foundational truth for their identity and ongoing relationship with Him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 26:9 is embedded within the detailed instructions for the firstfruits offering, a pivotal ceremony in Israelite worship. Chapters 26-28 of Deuteronomy mark a significant transition, moving from the exposition of the Law (chapters 12-25) to the formal covenant renewal ceremony on the plains of Moab. This specific verse is part of the worshiper's required declaration upon presenting their first harvest to the Lord at the central sanctuary. The confession begins by recounting Israel's humble and afflicted origins as a "perishing Syrian" ([Deuteronomy 26:5](/deuteronomy/26-5 "Deuteronomy 26:5 - Israel's Humble Beginnings")), their suffering in Egypt, God's miraculous deliverance, and their journey to Canaan. The act of offering the firstfruits, combined with this historical recitation, transforms a simple agricultural act into a profound theological statement of gratitude and remembrance, ensuring that the people never forgot the source of their blessings.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Deuteronomy is presented as Moses' farewell discourse to the generation poised to enter the Promised Land, forty years after the Exodus. This generation had not experienced the Exodus directly but had lived through the wilderness wanderings and were now on the cusp of settling in Canaan. The firstfruits ceremony, therefore, served as a vital mechanism for intergenerational transmission of faith and history. Culturally, agricultural societies like ancient Israel deeply understood the significance of the first harvest—it was a sign of God's blessing and the promise of future sustenance. The phrase "a land that floweth with milk and honey" was a common idiom in the ancient Near East, signifying a land of exceptional fertility and prosperity, capable of sustaining both pastoral (milk) and agricultural (honey, likely date syrup or wild honey) wealth. This was a stark contrast to the barren wilderness they had just traversed, highlighting the miraculous provision of God.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully articulates several core themes central to Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, **Divine Faithfulness and Provision** are paramount; the repeated "he hath brought us" and "hath given us" emphasize God's active, sovereign role in fulfilling His promises, underscoring that the land was a divine gift, not an earned possession. This echoes earlier promises made to the patriarchs, such as those found in [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "God's Promise of Land to Abraham"). Secondly, the **Promised Land** itself is a major theme, representing the culmination of God's redemptive work for Israel—a place of rest, security, and blessing after generations of wandering and affliction. Thirdly, the verse fosters a spirit of **Gratitude and Remembrance**, compelling the Israelites to acknowledge God as the ultimate source of their prosperity. This act of remembering God's past deeds was crucial for maintaining their covenant relationship and ensuring future obedience, a concept reinforced throughout [Deuteronomy 8](/deuteronomy/8 "Deuteronomy 8 - Remember the Lord Your God").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **brought (Hebrew, בּוֹא, _bo'_):** This verb signifies "to come," "to enter," or "to bring." In this context, it emphasizes God's active agency and sovereign initiative in leading Israel into the land. It is not Israel's strength or cunning that secured their entry, but God's powerful hand guiding and enabling them, fulfilling His promise.
* **given (Hebrew, נָתַן, _natan'_):** Meaning "to give," "to grant," or "to place," this word highlights the gratuitous nature of the land's possession. The land was not conquered by Israel's inherent might but was a divine inheritance, a freely bestowed gift. This underscores God's benevolence and Israel's dependent relationship on Him for all their blessings.
* **milk and honey (Hebrew, חָלָב וּדְבָשׁ, _chalav u'devash'_):** This iconic idiom, frequently used throughout the Pentateuch (e.g., [Exodus 3:8](/exodus/3-8 "Exodus 3:8 - God's Promise of a Land Flowing with Milk and Honey")), describes a land of extraordinary fertility, abundance, and prosperity. "Milk" refers to the richness of pastoral life (dairy products from cattle and goats), while "honey" likely refers to date syrup (a common sweetener in the ancient world) or wild honey, symbolizing the fruitfulness of the land's flora. Together, they paint a comprehensive picture of a land capable of sustaining life richly, far beyond mere subsistence, a true blessing from God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he hath brought us into this place":** This clause emphasizes God's direct, sovereign action in leading Israel. "This place" refers specifically to the Promised Land, Canaan, which they are on the verge of inheriting. It highlights the fulfillment of the Exodus journey, culminating in their arrival at the destination God had prepared for them. The past tense "hath brought" signifies a completed, undeniable divine act.
* **"and hath given us this land":** Building on the previous clause, this phrase explicitly states that the land is a divine gift. It was not earned or conquered by human merit but was graciously bestowed by God. This reinforces the covenantal nature of their possession, reminding them that their inheritance stemmed from God's promise and faithfulness, not their own strength.
* **"[even] a land that floweth with milk and honey":** This descriptive phrase characterizes the quality of the given land. It is not merely any land, but one of exceptional abundance and fertility. This vivid imagery assures the people of God's lavish provision and the richness of the inheritance awaiting them, a stark contrast to the barren wilderness they had endured. It signifies a place of ultimate blessing and sustenance.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 26:9 employs several powerful literary devices. **Repetition** of divine action is evident in the parallel phrases "he hath brought us" and "hath given us," which underscore God's singular agency and active role in Israel's history and prosperity. This rhetorical emphasis ensures that the worshiper attributes all blessings directly to the Lord. The phrase "a land that floweth with milk and honey" functions as a potent **Metaphor** and **Symbolism**. It is not a literal description of rivers of milk and honey, but a vivid, hyperbolic image symbolizing unparalleled fertility, abundance, and divine blessing. This idiom evokes a sensory experience of richness and ease, contrasting sharply with the harshness of the wilderness. Furthermore, the entire confession, of which this verse is a part, is a form of **Liturgy** or ritualized speech, designed for communal recitation. This liturgical structure reinforces memory, instills gratitude, and shapes the theological understanding of the nation across generations, ensuring the story of God's faithfulness remains central to their identity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 26:9 stands as a powerful testament to God's unwavering faithfulness and boundless generosity. It articulates the theological truth that all blessings, especially the most significant ones like the Promised Land, are not the result of human effort or merit but are gratuitous gifts from a covenant-keeping God. This verse compels Israel, and by extension, believers today, to cultivate a posture of profound gratitude, recognizing that God is the ultimate provider and the source of all good things. It grounds their identity and prosperity in divine action, fostering humility and dependence on Him. The fulfillment of the promise of the land serves as a tangible demonstration of God's reliability, providing a historical anchor for their faith and a basis for trusting His future promises.

* [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "God's Promise of Land to Abraham")
* [Joshua 21:43-45](/joshua/21-43-45 "God's Fulfillment of Promises to Israel")
* [Psalm 105:43-45](/psalm/105-43-45 "God's Deliverance and Provision for Israel")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 26:9 offers a timeless invitation for believers to cultivate a profound spirit of gratitude and remembrance in their own lives. Just as ancient Israel was called to recall God's mighty acts of deliverance and provision in bringing them into a land of abundance, we are similarly encouraged to reflect on God's faithfulness in our personal journeys. This verse challenges us to look beyond immediate circumstances and acknowledge God as the ultimate source of every blessing—whether it be physical sustenance, spiritual growth, deliverance from hardship, or the countless daily provisions we often take for granted. By intentionally remembering God's past goodness, our faith is strengthened, our humility deepened, and our worship enriched. It prompts us to live with an awareness that our "land flowing with milk and honey"—our blessings, our peace, our spiritual inheritance—is a direct gift from God, demanding a response of heartfelt praise and obedient stewardship.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "land flowing with milk and honey" (blessings, provisions, spiritual gifts) has God brought you into in your life?**
* **How does remembering God's past faithfulness in your life impact your trust in Him for future challenges?**
* **What specific practices can you adopt to cultivate a more consistent spirit of gratitude and remembrance of God's provision?**
* **In what ways might we, like the Israelites, inadvertently forget the source of our blessings and begin to attribute them to our own efforts?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the phrase "a land that floweth with milk and honey"?**

Answer: The phrase "a land that floweth with milk and honey" (Hebrew: _eretz zavat chalav u'devash_) is an ancient Near Eastern idiom used to describe a land of extraordinary fertility, abundance, and prosperity. It is not meant to be taken literally as rivers of milk and honey, but rather as a vivid metaphor for a land capable of sustaining life richly. "Milk" symbolizes the bounty of pastoral life, indicating thriving herds of cattle and goats, which provide dairy products. "Honey" in this context likely refers to date syrup, a common sweetener and staple in the region, or wild bee honey, signifying the richness of the land's flora and fruitfulness. Together, these elements paint a comprehensive picture of a land blessed with agricultural and pastoral wealth, a stark contrast to the barren wilderness and a powerful symbol of God's lavish provision and covenant fulfillment for His people, first promised in [Exodus 3:8](/exodus/3-8 "Exodus 3:8 - God's Promise of a Land Flowing with Milk and Honey").

**Why was this confession of firstfruits so important for the Israelites?**

Answer: The confession of firstfruits, of which Deuteronomy 26:9 is a central part, was profoundly important for several reasons. Firstly, it served as an act of **remembrance and gratitude**, ensuring that each generation recalled God's mighty acts of deliverance from slavery in Egypt and His faithfulness in bringing them into the Promised Land. This prevented them from forgetting their humble origins or attributing their prosperity to their own strength. Secondly, it was an act of **covenant renewal and affirmation**, publicly acknowledging God as the sovereign giver of the land and all its produce, thereby reinforcing their covenant relationship with Him. Thirdly, it fostered **humility and dependence**, reminding them that their blessings were unearned gifts, not entitlements. Finally, it promoted **intergenerational transmission of faith**, as parents taught their children the history of God's faithfulness through this ritual, ensuring that the foundational truths of their national identity and divine provision endured. This ritual underscored that their worship was not merely about offerings, but about remembering and responding to God's redemptive history, as outlined in [Deuteronomy 26:1-11](/deuteronomy/26 "Deuteronomy 26 - The Firstfruits Offering").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 26:9, with its declaration of God bringing His people into a land flowing with milk and honey, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the earthly Promised Land was a tangible sign of God's covenant faithfulness to Israel, it was but a shadow of the "better country" ([Hebrews 11:16](/hebrews/11-16 "Hebrews 11:16 - Longing for a Better Country")) and the spiritual inheritance that believers receive in Christ. Jesus Himself is the true "land flowing with milk and honey," offering abundant life and spiritual sustenance that far surpasses any earthly provision. He is the "bread of life" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")) and the "living water" ([John 4:14](/john/4-14 "John 4:14 - Jesus, the Living Water")), providing eternal nourishment for our souls. Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ has brought us into a new covenant, granting us access to every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places ([Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Every Spiritual Blessing in Christ")) and an eternal inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading ([1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Imperishable Inheritance")). The rest and security promised in Canaan are ultimately found in the spiritual rest that remains for the people of God in Christ ([Hebrews 4:9](/hebrews/4-9 "Hebrews 4:9 - The Sabbath Rest for God's People")), making Him the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise to bring His people into a land of everlasting abundance and blessing.

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

Exodus 3:8

And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.

Ezekiel 20:15

Yet also I lifted up my hand unto them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given [them], flowing with milk and honey, which [is] the glory of all lands;

Ezekiel 20:6

In the day [that] I lifted up mine hand unto them, to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied for them, flowing with milk and honey, which [is] the glory of all lands:

Psalms 105:44

And gave them the lands of the heathen: and they inherited the labour of the people;

1 Samuel 7:12

Then Samuel took a stone, and set [it] between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.

Joshua 23:14

And, behold, this day I [am] going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, [and] not one thing hath failed thereof.

Acts 26:22

Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: