Deuteronomy 6:10

KJV

And it shall be, when the LORD thy God shall have brought thee into the land which he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not,

KJV (with Strong's)

And it shall be, when the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} shall have brought {H935} thee into the land {H776} which he sware {H7650} unto thy fathers {H1}, to Abraham {H85}, to Isaac {H3327}, and to Jacob {H3290}, to give {H5414} thee great {H1419} and goodly {H2896} cities {H5892}, which thou buildedst {H1129} not,

Complete Jewish Bible

"When ADONAI your God has brought you into the land he swore to your ancestors Avraham, Yitz'chak and Ya'akov that he would give you - cities great and prosperous, which you didn't build;

Berean Standard Bible

And when the LORD your God brings you into the land He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, that He would give you—a land with great and splendid cities that you did not build,

American Standard Version

And it shall be, when Jehovah thy God shall bring thee into the land which he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee, great and goodly cities, which thou buildest not,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 6:10 serves as a powerful prophetic declaration from Moses to the Israelites, anticipating their imminent entry into the Promised Land. It highlights God's unwavering faithfulness to His ancient covenant promises made to the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The verse vividly describes the unmerited blessings awaiting the new generation: established, prosperous cities they did not build. This emphasizes divine grace and provision, setting the stage for subsequent warnings against forgetting the Lord amidst prosperity, underscoring that their inheritance is a gratuitous gift, not a reward for their labor.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 6:10 is situated within Moses' second major discourse to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they cross the Jordan River into Canaan. This chapter is pivotal, immediately following the profound declaration of the [Shema, Israel's foundational creed](/deuteronomy/6-4 "Deuteronomy 6:4-5 - The Shema"), which calls for singular devotion to Yahweh. The preceding verses (Deuteronomy 6:1-9) establish the command to love God with all one's being and to diligently teach His statutes to future generations. Verse 10 then transitions from the commands of remembrance and devotion to the concrete blessings that will accompany their obedience, particularly the material prosperity of the land. This promise of unearned cities serves as a crucial setup for the warnings that follow in [Deuteronomy 6:11-19](/deuteronomy/6-11 "Deuteronomy 6:11-19 - Warnings Against Forgetting God"), cautioning against forgetting the Lord once they are settled and prosperous, lest they succumb to idolatry or self-sufficiency.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites, having endured forty years of wilderness wandering, were on the cusp of transitioning from a nomadic, tent-dwelling people to a settled, agrarian society in Canaan. The land they were about to inherit was already populated by various Canaanite peoples, who had established sophisticated cities with fortifications, infrastructure, and agricultural systems. For the Israelites to receive "great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not" was an extraordinary promise, signifying a miraculous transfer of wealth and a direct fulfillment of God's ancient oath. In the ancient Near East, the acquisition of land and fortified cities was a sign of power and divine favor, often achieved through prolonged military conquest and construction. God's promise here bypasses much of that laborious process, emphasizing His direct, supernatural provision and the unearned nature of their inheritance, distinguishing their experience from typical conquest narratives.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several core themes running through Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Faithfulness and Covenant Fulfillment**, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to the [covenant promises made to Abraham](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Covenant with Abraham"), Isaac, and Jacob, which included the gift of a specific land. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Unearned Blessing and Grace**, emphasizing that the Israelites' inheritance was not a reward for their merit or labor but a gratuitous gift from God's sovereign hand. This concept of unmerited favor is central to understanding God's relationship with His people. Thirdly, the verse reinforces the **Sovereignty of God in Provision**, portraying Yahweh as the active agent who "shall have brought thee" and "sware... to give thee," asserting His control over history and the destiny of nations. Finally, it implicitly introduces the theme of **Remembrance and Gratitude**, as the unearned nature of the blessing serves as a perpetual reminder of God's goodness, intended to foster humility and prevent arrogance once they are settled in prosperity, a warning Moses reiterates throughout [Deuteronomy 8](/deuteronomy/8 "Deuteronomy 8 - Warnings Against Forgetting God's Provision").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sware (Hebrew, _shaba'_):** This verb signifies the act of taking an oath, often accompanied by a solemn declaration and an appeal to a higher power (in this case, God Himself). When God "swore" to the patriarchs, it conveyed the absolute certainty, immutability, and binding nature of His promise. It implies a self-malediction if the oath is broken, making God's commitment to His covenant utterly reliable and unbreakable. This is not a mere statement of intent, but a divine guarantee.
* **Great and Goodly Cities (Hebrew, עָרִים גְּדֹלֹת וְטֹבֹת, _'arim gedolot v'tovot'_):** The phrase "great and goodly" (or "large and good") describes the quality and prosperity of the cities. "Great" suggests size, fortifications, and strategic importance, while "goodly" implies pleasantness, fertility, and abundance—cities that are well-established, comfortable, and desirable. This is not just any land, but a land with pre-existing, high-quality infrastructure, indicating a rich inheritance and substantial material blessing.
* **Buildedst not (Hebrew, לֹא־בָנִיתָ, _lo-vanita'_):** This phrase is crucial, emphasizing the unearned nature of the inheritance. It starkly contrasts the Israelites' nomadic past and future reality. They would not have to expend the immense labor, resources, and time typically required to construct such cities. This highlights God's supernatural provision and the gratuitous nature of His gift, serving as a perpetual reminder that their prosperity was not a result of their own efforts but a direct act of divine grace.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it shall be, when the LORD thy God shall have brought thee into the land":** This opening clause emphasizes divine agency. The fulfillment of the promise is entirely dependent on Yahweh's action. It is He who will "bring" them, not their own strength or cunning. This sets the tone for the entire verse, anchoring the future blessing in God's sovereign power and faithfulness.
* **"which he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob":** This segment firmly connects the present generation's experience to the ancient covenant. The land is not a new, arbitrary gift, but the direct fulfillment of a solemn, sworn promise made centuries earlier to the patriarchs. Naming Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob specifically reinforces the historical continuity and the personal nature of God's faithfulness across generations.
* **"to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not":** This final clause specifies the nature of the blessing and its most significant characteristic. The "great and goodly cities" represent tangible, substantial prosperity and security. The critical qualifier, "which thou buildedst not," underscores the unmerited and gracious character of this inheritance, serving as a powerful reminder that their future abundance is a direct, unearned gift from God's hand.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 6:10 employs several potent literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as Moses speaks prophetically about events that are yet to unfold, painting a vivid picture of the future inheritance. This creates anticipation and reinforces the certainty of God's word. **Contrast** is powerfully used with the phrase "which thou buildedst not," juxtaposing the Israelites' lack of labor with the immense, pre-existing infrastructure they are about to receive. This highlights the miraculous and unearned nature of the blessing. The description of "great and goodly cities" also functions as a form of **Emphasis** or even **Hyperbole**, underscoring the extraordinary quality and abundance of the promised provision. Finally, the consistent focus on "the LORD thy God" as the one who "shall have brought thee" and "sware... to give thee" exemplifies **Divine Agency**, portraying God as the primary, active force in the narrative, orchestrating the fulfillment of His promises.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 6:10 is a profound statement on God's covenant faithfulness and the nature of His grace. It reveals a God who is utterly reliable, whose sworn promises transcend generations and historical circumstances. The unearned nature of the cities underscores that God's blessings are fundamentally gifts, not wages. This concept of unmerited favor is foundational to biblical theology, teaching humanity that their prosperity and security ultimately derive from divine benevolence rather than human effort or deservingness. It sets a precedent for understanding salvation itself as a gracious act of God. The verse also serves as a crucial reminder for the Israelites, and for believers today, that all good things come from God's hand, fostering a spirit of humility, gratitude, and dependence upon Him.

* [Genesis 15:18-21](/genesis/15-18 "Genesis 15:18-21 - God's Covenant with Abram")
* [Joshua 24:13](/joshua/24-13 "Joshua 24:13 - God Gave Israel a Land They Did Not Labor For")
* [Deuteronomy 8:17-18](/deuteronomy/8-17 "Deuteronomy 8:17-18 - Do Not Forget the Lord Your God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 6:10 provides a timeless lesson for believers in every age: our greatest blessings are often those we did not earn, build, or even imagine. Just as Israel inherited cities without laying a single brick, we too receive countless provisions in life—our very breath, family, community, opportunities, and especially our spiritual inheritance—as pure gifts from a benevolent God. This truth should cultivate a profound sense of gratitude, guarding our hearts against the insidious creep of entitlement or self-sufficiency. When we recognize that our homes, careers, talents, and even our salvation are ultimately unmerited gifts, it transforms our perspective from one of ownership to stewardship. It calls us to remember the Source of all good things, fostering humility and prompting us to use what God has graciously provided for His glory and the good of others, rather than for selfish accumulation or prideful boasting.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "cities" or significant blessings in your life have you received that you did not "build" or earn?**
* **How does recognizing the unearned nature of these blessings impact your sense of gratitude and humility?**
* **In what ways might a sense of entitlement or self-sufficiency prevent you from fully appreciating God's provision?**
* **How can remembering God as the ultimate source of all good things shape your stewardship of your time, talents, and resources?**

### FAQ
**Why did God specifically mention "cities, which thou buildedst not"?**

Answer: God emphasized "cities, which thou buildedst not" to profoundly underscore the unmerited nature of the Israelites' inheritance and to highlight His divine grace and power. This phrase served several crucial purposes: firstly, it was a stark reminder that their prosperity was not a result of their own labor, merit, or military prowess, but a direct, gratuitous gift from God. This was intended to foster humility and prevent them from succumbing to pride or forgetting the Lord once they were settled and prosperous, a warning explicitly given in [Deuteronomy 8:17-18](/deuteronomy/8-17 "Deuteronomy 8:17-18 - Do Not Forget the Lord Your God"). Secondly, it demonstrated God's absolute faithfulness to His covenant promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, showing that He would provide for them abundantly beyond their wildest expectations. Finally, it distinguished their experience from that of other nations who had to labor intensely to build their own civilizations, showcasing Yahweh's unique and supernatural provision for His chosen people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 6:10, with its emphasis on unearned inheritance and the fulfillment of ancient promises, finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The earthly inheritance of "great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not" foreshadows the spiritual inheritance that believers receive in Christ, which is infinitely more valuable and truly unearned. Just as Israel was brought into a land prepared for them, so too are believers "brought" into the Kingdom of God and granted every spiritual blessing "in Christ" ([Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Blessed in Christ")). We inherit eternal life, reconciliation with God, forgiveness of sins, and righteousness—all "cities" of grace that we absolutely did not build or earn, but which were purchased for us by the perfect sacrifice of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). The covenant promises made to Abraham, which included a spiritual seed and blessing for all nations, are fulfilled in Christ, who is the true Seed ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Galatians 3:16 - The Seed of Abraham")). Our salvation is entirely a gift of God's grace through faith, not a result of works ([Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith")), mirroring the unearned cities of Canaan. Christ is our ultimate "rest" and "inheritance" ([Hebrews 4:9-10](/hebrews/4-9 "Hebrews 4:9-10 - The Sabbath Rest"))—a spiritual reality far surpassing any physical land or city, freely given to those who believe.

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

Joshua 24:13

And I have given you a land for which ye did not labour, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and oliveyards which ye planted not do ye eat.

Psalms 105:44

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

Nehemiah 9:25

And they took strong cities, and a fat land, and possessed houses full of all goods, wells digged, vineyards, and oliveyards, and fruit trees in abundance: so they did eat, and were filled, and became fat, and delighted themselves in thy great goodness.

Psalms 78:55

He cast out the heathen also before them, and divided them an inheritance by line, and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.

Genesis 13:15

For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.

Genesis 13:17

Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.

Genesis 26:3

Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;