Deuteronomy 28:5

KJV

Blessed [shall be] thy basket and thy store.

KJV (with Strong's)

Blessed {H1288} shall be thy basket {H2935} and thy store {H4863}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"A blessing on your grain-basket and kneading-bowl.

Berean Standard Bible

Your basket and kneading bowl will be blessed.

American Standard Version

Blessed shall be thy basket and thy kneading-trough.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 28:5 encapsulates a profound promise of divine provision and abundance, assuring ancient Israel that their daily sustenance and economic stability would be blessed by God if they faithfully adhered to His covenant. This concise declaration, "Blessed [shall be] thy basket and thy store," speaks directly to the agrarian and domestic life of the Israelites, symbolizing a holistic blessing that touches every aspect of their livelihood, from the harvest in the field to the prepared food within their homes. It highlights God's intimate care for the practical needs of His people, promising not just sufficiency but an overflowing measure of goods as a tangible reward for obedience.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 28:5 is embedded within a pivotal section of Deuteronomy, specifically the covenant blessings outlined in [Deuteronomy 28:1-14](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). This chapter serves as the climactic conclusion to Moses' final discourse, where he presents the Israelites with a stark choice between life and prosperity through obedience to God's commands, or curses and desolation through disobedience. The verse immediately follows general blessings on the land and the people in [Deuteronomy 28:3-4](/deuteronomy/28-3 "Deuteronomy 28:3-4 - Blessings in City, Field, and Offspring"), setting the stage for specific domestic and economic assurances. It is part of a comprehensive list designed to impress upon the new generation, poised to enter the Promised Land, the direct correlation between their faithfulness to the Mosaic covenant and their material well-being. The subsequent verses continue to detail blessings related to their journeys and victory over enemies, reinforcing the holistic nature of God's promised favor.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This promise was given to an agrarian society on the cusp of settling in the land of Canaan, a land described as "flowing with milk and honey" ([Exodus/3-8](/exodus/3-8 "Exodus 3:8 - A Land Flowing with Milk and Honey")). For such a people, survival and prosperity were inextricably linked to successful harvests and efficient food storage. The "basket" (סַל, _sal_) would be used for gathering freshly reaped grain, fruits, or vegetables from the fields, representing the initial yield of their labor. The "store" (מִשְׁאֶרֶת, _mish'eret_), often translated as "kneading trough," was a vital household item used for preparing and storing dough, symbolizing the processed and ready-to-consume food staples. In a time before modern preservation methods, ensuring a full basket and a well-stocked store was paramount to warding off famine and securing the family's future. Thus, God's blessing on these items directly addressed their most fundamental daily needs and economic security, demonstrating His commitment to providing for them within their specific socio-economic framework.

* **Key Themes:** Deuteronomy 28:5 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. Primarily, it underscores the theme of **Divine Provision**, portraying God as the ultimate sustainer who actively intervenes to meet the material needs of His people. This is not merely about sustenance but also about **Abundance and Prosperity**, promising an overflowing measure rather than mere sufficiency, reflecting God's desire to bless His obedient children richly. Crucially, these blessings are presented as **Covenantal Faithfulness**, directly linked to Israel's obedience to the terms of the Mosaic Covenant, as emphasized in [Deuteronomy 28:1](/deuteronomy/28-1 "Deuteronomy 28:1 - Obedience Brings Blessing"). The verse reinforces the principle that walking in God's ways brings tangible benefits, both individually and nationally. Furthermore, the "basket and store" symbolize a **Holistic Blessing**, indicating that God's favor would permeate every aspect of their economic and domestic life, from agricultural output to daily meals, ensuring comprehensive well-being in the Promised Land.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Basket (Hebrew, _sal'_):** The Hebrew word סַל (_sal_) refers to a woven container, typically used for carrying or gathering agricultural products such as bread, fruit, or grain. Its appearance in the Old Testament, such as in [Genesis 40:16-17](/genesis/40-16 "Genesis 40:16-17 - The Baker's Dream") concerning Pharaoh's baker, highlights its function in holding prepared food or raw produce. In the context of Deuteronomy 28:5, the "basket" symbolizes the initial yield of labor, the fresh produce gathered from the fields, representing the raw materials of their sustenance and the immediate fruits of their agricultural efforts. A blessed basket implies a bountiful harvest and successful gathering.
* **Store (Hebrew, _mish'eret'_):** The Hebrew word מִשְׁאֶרֶת (_mish'eret_), often translated as "kneading trough" or "storage bin," denotes a vessel used for preparing dough and, by extension, for storing food staples within the home. Its mention in [Exodus 8:3](/exodus/8-3 "Exodus 8:3 - Frogs in Kneading Troughs") and [Exodus 12:34](/exodus/12-34 "Exodus 12:34 - Israelites Leave with Dough") further illustrates its domestic importance. The "store" represents the prepared food, the staples kept within the household for daily consumption and future provision. A blessed store signifies not only an abundance of raw materials but also the successful processing and preservation of food, ensuring sustained nourishment and economic security for the family. Together, "basket and store" comprehensively cover the entire cycle of food provision, from field to table.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Blessed [shall be] thy basket":** This clause promises divine favor upon the initial stages of the Israelites' agricultural and gathering efforts. The "basket" represents the yield of their labor, the produce harvested from the fields. God's blessing here ensures a bountiful harvest, ample raw materials, and successful collection of their crops and goods. It speaks to the fruitfulness of their land and their work, providing the foundational elements for their sustenance.
* **"and thy store":** This second clause extends the blessing to the later stages of food preparation and storage within the home. The "store," or kneading trough, symbolizes the processed food, the staples kept for daily consumption. God's blessing on the "store" ensures that not only will there be an abundance of raw materials, but these will be successfully prepared, preserved, and available for the family's ongoing needs. This promises sustained provision, economic stability, and freedom from want within the household, covering the entire cycle of food from its origin to its consumption.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 28:5 employs several effective literary devices to convey its powerful message. **Merism** is prominently featured through the pairing of "basket and store." This figure of speech uses two contrasting or complementary parts to represent a whole. Here, "basket" (representing the outdoor, initial harvest) and "store" (representing the indoor, processed food and domestic supply) collectively encompass the entirety of one's livelihood and material possessions related to sustenance. This merism emphasizes the comprehensive nature of God's blessing, touching every aspect of their economic and domestic life. Furthermore, the verse uses **Symbolism**, where the physical objects of "basket" and "store" stand for the broader concepts of agricultural productivity, domestic provision, and overall economic prosperity. The blessing itself is a form of **Metonymy**, where the effect (blessing) is stated, but the underlying cause (God's active provision) is implied, highlighting God's direct involvement in their daily lives. The concise, declarative statement also lends itself to **Aphorism**, making it a memorable and impactful promise.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 28:5 powerfully articulates God's character as a faithful and benevolent Provider, deeply concerned with the material well-being of His covenant people. It reinforces the Old Testament principle that obedience to God's commands brings tangible blessings, demonstrating His desire for His people to flourish in every aspect of their lives, not just spiritually. This verse connects the physical realities of daily sustenance directly to the spiritual state of the nation, underscoring the holistic nature of God's covenant relationship with Israel. It teaches that true prosperity is a gift from God, flowing from a life lived in accordance with His will, and serves as a foundational promise of His sustaining hand over those who walk in His ways.

* [Psalm 23:1](/psalms/23-1 "Psalm 23:1 - The Lord is My Shepherd")
* [Proverbs 3:9-10](/proverbs/3-9 "Proverbs 3:9-10 - Honor the Lord with Your Wealth")
* [Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "Philippians 4:19 - God Will Supply All Your Needs")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 28:5, though rooted in an ancient covenant with Israel, offers timeless principles for believers today. It calls us to recognize God as the ultimate source of all provision, whether our "basket and store" manifest as our income, career, household resources, or even our spiritual sustenance. This verse encourages a profound trust in God's ability to provide for our daily needs, reminding us that His care extends to the practical, mundane aspects of life. It challenges us to live in obedience, not as a means to earn blessings, but as a response of love and faith to a God who delights in blessing His children. Furthermore, it fosters a spirit of gratitude, prompting us to acknowledge Him as the giver of every good and perfect gift and to steward His provisions wisely. In a world often driven by anxiety over material security, this verse offers a comforting assurance of God's faithfulness and an invitation to rest in His abundant grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do you see God blessing your "basket and store" in your current life, even if they look different from ancient Israel's?**
* **How does trusting God as your Provider influence your approach to financial planning, career choices, or daily consumption?**
* **What does "obedience" look like in your life today, and how do you perceive its connection to God's provision?**
* **How can cultivating a spirit of gratitude for God's material blessings deepen your spiritual life?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse mean that if I am obedient, I will always be materially wealthy?**

Answer: While Deuteronomy 28:5 promises material blessings for obedience under the Old Covenant, it's crucial to understand this within its broader biblical context. For ancient Israel, national and individual prosperity in the Promised Land was directly tied to their covenant faithfulness. In the New Testament, while God certainly cares for our material needs and promises to supply them ([Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "Philippians 4:19 - God Will Supply All Your Needs")), the emphasis shifts from purely material wealth to spiritual riches and contentment in Christ. The New Covenant prioritizes seeking God's kingdom first ([Matthew 6:33](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seek First the Kingdom")), and while material provision often follows, it is not guaranteed in the same conditional, direct manner as in the Old Covenant. True blessing in Christ is often spiritual, relational, and eternal, though God remains our faithful provider for daily needs.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 28:5, with its promise of blessed "basket and store," finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the Old Covenant promised material abundance for physical obedience, Christ inaugurates a New Covenant where the blessings are primarily spiritual and eternal, though they encompass all of life. Jesus Himself is the true "bread of life" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus the Bread of Life")), providing spiritual sustenance that far surpasses any earthly provision. He demonstrated His power to bless the "basket and store" through miracles like the feeding of the five thousand ([Matthew 14:13-21](/matthew/14-13 "Matthew 14:13-21 - Feeding the Five Thousand")), where meager resources were supernaturally multiplied to satisfy a vast multitude, foreshadowing His limitless spiritual provision. Through His sacrifice, Christ has secured for believers "every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places" ([Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Every Spiritual Blessing in Christ")), including the abundance of grace, peace, and eternal life. Our true "store" is found in Him, for in Him "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - Treasures of Wisdom in Christ")). Thus, while the ancient Israelites looked to God for physical provision in their land, believers in Christ look to Him as the source of all true and lasting abundance, both spiritual and, as He deems fit, material, through His perfect fulfillment of God's covenant promises.

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.