Deuteronomy 6:11

KJV

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;

KJV (with Strong's)

And houses {H1004} full {H4392} of all good {H2898} things, which thou filledst {H4390} not, and wells {H953} digged {H2672}, which thou diggedst {H2672} not, vineyards {H3754} and olive trees {H2132}, which thou plantedst {H5193} not; when thou shalt have eaten {H398} and be full {H7646};

Complete Jewish Bible

houses full of all sorts of good things, which you didn't fill; water cisterns dug out, which you didn't dig; vineyards and olive trees, which you didn't plant - and you have eaten your fill;

Berean Standard Bible

with houses full of every good thing with which you did not fill them, with wells that you did not dig, and with vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant—and when you eat and are satisfied,

American Standard Version

and houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and cisterns hewn out, which thou hewedst not, vineyards and olive-trees, which thou plantedst not, and thou shalt eat and be full;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 6:11 presents a vivid depiction of the abundant, unearned material blessings awaiting the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. Moses, in his final address, paints a picture of a land flowing with prosperity, where they will inherit fully furnished homes, pre-dug wells, and established vineyards and olive groves—all provisions they did not labor to create. This verse emphatically underscores the immense, unmerited generosity of God, serving as a crucial prelude to the solemn warning in the subsequent verses against forgetting the divine source of such lavish provisions once they are settled and satisfied in their new, comfortable existence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 6:11 is strategically positioned within Moses' final, pivotal discourse to the new generation of Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they cross into Canaan. It immediately follows the foundational command of the [Shema in Deuteronomy 6:4-9](/deuteronomy/6-4-9 "Deuteronomy 6:4-9 - The Shema: Love the Lord Your God"), which calls for absolute, undivided devotion to Yahweh. This verse, along with [Deuteronomy 6:10](/deuteronomy/6-10 "Deuteronomy 6:10 - Entering the Promised Land's Blessings"), details the lavish physical blessings they are about to receive. This promise of prosperity is not merely a description of future comfort but a critical lead-in to the solemn warning in [Deuteronomy 6:12](/deuteronomy/6-12 "Deuteronomy 6:12 - Warning Against Forgetting the Lord"): "Then beware lest thou forget the Lord." The abundance described here highlights the potential for complacency and apostasy once they are settled and satisfied, making the spiritual warning all the more urgent and poignant. The contrast between God's generous provision and Israel's potential forgetfulness forms a central tension in this section of Deuteronomy.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites stood on the cusp of entering Canaan, a land already inhabited and developed by various peoples, including the Canaanites. Unlike their nomadic existence in the wilderness, where they lived in tents and relied on miraculous provision, they were about to inherit a settled agricultural society. The concept of inheriting "houses full of all good things," "wells digged," and "vineyards and olive trees" speaks directly to the established infrastructure and agricultural wealth of the Canaanite inhabitants. For a people who had lived in tents and relied on manna for forty years, this promise represented an unimaginable level of comfort, security, and permanence. The mention of vineyards and olive trees is particularly significant, as these were long-term investments, requiring years to mature and produce, emphasizing the unearned nature of these blessings for the Israelites. This promise also fulfilled the ancient covenant God made with their forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them a [land flowing with milk and honey](/exodus/3-8 "Exodus 3:8 - Description of the Promised Land").
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. It exemplifies **Divine Provision and Unmerited Favor**, emphasizing that the Israelites' upcoming prosperity is not a result of their own merit or labor but a gracious, sovereign gift from God. The repeated refrain, "which thou filledst not... diggedst not... plantedst not," underscores God's immense generosity and faithfulness to His covenant promises, as seen in the foundational promise to Abraham in [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Covenant Promise to Abraham"). It also highlights the theme of **Inheritance of the Promised Land**, vividly portraying the richness of Canaan, often described as a land of abundance. Finally, and most critically, it introduces the theme of **The Peril of Prosperity**. While a blessing, the anticipated abundance carries an inherent danger. The ease of life and full stomachs can lead to spiritual forgetfulness and a turning away from the Lord, as explicitly warned in the verses immediately following, particularly in [Deuteronomy 6:12-15](/deuteronomy/6-12-15 "Deuteronomy 6:12-15 - Warnings Against Forgetting God in Prosperity"). This serves as a timeless reminder about the spiritual challenges that often accompany material comfort and the need for vigilance.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Good (Hebrew, _ṭûwb'_):** The Hebrew word טוֹב (_ṭûwb_), translated as "good [things]," is a broad and comprehensive term. It encompasses not only material possessions but also implies a state of well-being, pleasantness, value, and overall favor. In this context, it suggests that the houses will be filled not just with random items, but with everything necessary for a flourishing and comfortable life, signifying a complete and desirable provision from God. This word carries a sense of inherent quality and beneficial nature.
* **Full (Hebrew, _mâlêʼ'_):** The Hebrew verb מָלֵא (_mâlêʼ_), rendered "full" (H4392), denotes a state of completeness, abundance, or saturation. When applied to "houses full of all good things," it conveys that the provision is not partial or lacking but utterly comprehensive and overflowing. This emphasizes the lavishness of God's gift, ensuring the Israelites will lack nothing essential for their new life in the land. It speaks to a measure that is entirely sufficient and beyond expectation.
* **Be full (Hebrew, _śāḇaʿ'_):** The Hebrew verb שָׂבַע (_śāḇaʿ_), translated "be full" (H7646) in the phrase "when thou shalt have eaten and be full," signifies a state of complete satisfaction, satiety, or being replete. It describes the physical experience of having eaten enough and being content, a state of material prosperity and comfort. This word is crucial because it sets the stage for the subsequent warning: it is precisely when they are fully satisfied and comfortable that the danger of forgetting God is most acute, as their immediate needs are met and their dependence might wane.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And houses full of all good [things], which thou filledst not,"**: This opening clause immediately paints a picture of instant, unearned domestic comfort and prosperity. The Israelites will not need to engage in the arduous labor of building homes from scratch or furnishing them; they will find them already prepared, established, and stocked with everything desirable and beneficial for a comfortable life. The emphatic "which thou filledst not" highlights the gratuitous nature of this blessing, emphasizing that their prosperity is entirely God's doing, not a result of their own labor or merit.
* **"and wells digged, which thou diggedst not,"**: Access to water was paramount in an arid region like Canaan, essential for human survival, livestock, and agriculture. Digging wells was a laborious, time-consuming, and often multi-generational undertaking, representing significant investment and effort. This promise means the Israelites will inherit essential infrastructure, vital for daily life and the sustenance of their new agricultural society, without expending any effort. Again, "which thou diggedst not" reinforces the theme of unmerited inheritance and God's comprehensive provision.
* **"vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not;"**: Vineyards and olive groves represent long-term agricultural investments, requiring years—often decades—to mature and produce fruit. This promise signifies not just immediate sustenance but established, sustainable sources of wealth, food, and oil that the Israelites will simply step into and enjoy the harvest. The repeated "which thou plantedst not" underscores the extraordinary nature of this gift—they will reap where they have not sown, benefiting from the previous inhabitants' labor and God's sovereign timing.
* **"when thou shalt have eaten and be full;"**: This concluding phrase describes the anticipated outcome of inheriting such overwhelming abundance: a state of complete physical satisfaction, material security, and comfort. It serves as the pivot point for the subsequent warning. It is in this very state of comfort and satiety, when all physical needs are met and there is no immediate sense of lack, that the spiritual danger of forgetting the Lord, the ultimate provider and covenant partner, becomes most pronounced. This phrase sets the stage for the crucial admonition to remember God in prosperity.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 6:11 employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey its message with maximum impact. The most prominent is **Anaphora** (a specific type of **Repetition**), seen in the insistent refrain "which thou filledst not... which thou diggedst not... which thou plantedst not." This deliberate and emphatic repetition serves to underscore and deeply impress upon the audience the unearned, gratuitous nature of the blessings. It hammers home the point that the Israelites' future prosperity is entirely a gift from God, not a reward for their own efforts or merit. **Imagery** is also richly used, painting vivid pictures of "houses full," "wells digged," and flourishing "vineyards and olive trees," allowing the audience to visualize and deeply appreciate the tangible, comprehensive benefits awaiting them. The verse also implicitly uses **Juxtaposition**, setting the scene of overwhelming, unearned blessing against the implicit warning of spiritual danger that immediately follows in the next verse ([Deuteronomy 6:12](/deuteronomy/6-12 "Deuteronomy 6:12 - Warning Against Forgetting the Lord")). This striking contrast highlights the potential for prosperity to become a snare if the source of the blessings is forgotten, creating a powerful tension that resonates throughout the passage.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 6:11 stands as a powerful testament to God's sovereign provision and unmerited grace. It reveals a God who not only fulfills His covenant promises but does so with lavish generosity, bestowing blessings that far exceed human effort or expectation. This concept of receiving what one has not earned is foundational to biblical theology, foreshadowing the ultimate gift of salvation by grace through faith. The verse also serves as a profound theological warning: the very abundance that demonstrates God's faithfulness can, paradoxically, become a spiritual stumbling block if it leads to complacency, self-sufficiency, and a forgetting of the divine Giver. It challenges believers across all generations to cultivate a perpetual posture of gratitude and remembrance, recognizing that all good things ultimately flow from the benevolent hand of God, and that true security lies not in material possessions but in an abiding relationship with the Provider.

* [Deuteronomy 8:11-14](/deuteronomy/8-11-14 "Deuteronomy 8:11-14 - Warning Against Forgetting God in Prosperity")
* [Psalm 104:27-28](/psalms/104-27-28 "Psalm 104:27-28 - God Provides for All Creatures")
* [James 1:17](/james/1-17 "James 1:17 - Every Good and Perfect Gift from Above")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 6:11 offers timeless wisdom for contemporary believers, reminding us that God's generosity often extends beyond what we earn or expect. Just as the Israelites were to inherit blessings they didn't labor for, we too experience God's unmerited grace in salvation and His daily provisions, often through means we did not directly create or deserve. This verse calls us to cultivate a profound sense of gratitude, acknowledging that every good and perfect gift comes from above, from the Father of lights. It challenges us to remember the Lord, the ultimate provider, especially in times of comfort and abundance. When life is "full," when our needs are met and our desires satisfied, there's a natural human tendency to become self-reliant, to take blessings for granted, and to subtly forget our dependence on God. Therefore, this passage serves as a vital spiritual safeguard, urging us to remain vigilant against complacency, to guard our hearts against the subtle allure of materialism and the deceptive security of earthly possessions, and to continually seek God's face, whether in seasons of scarcity or overflowing blessing. Our prosperity should draw us closer to Him in worship and service, not away into self-sufficiency.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "houses full of good things" or "wells digged" have you received in your life that you did not labor for or earn?**
* **How does experiencing unearned blessings challenge your understanding of God's character and His ongoing provision in your life?**
* **In what ways might material comfort or "being full" tempt you to forget your dependence on God or diminish your spiritual vigilance?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a deeper sense of gratitude and maintain a constant remembrance of God, even amidst abundance?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the repeated phrase "which thou filledst not... diggedst not... plantedst not"?**

Answer: This repeated phrase is a powerful literary device known as anaphora, used to emphasize the unearned and gratuitous nature of the blessings the Israelites were about to receive. It underscores that their prosperity in the Promised Land would not be a result of their own efforts, merit, or labor, but rather a direct, sovereign gift from God. This highlights God's immense generosity and faithfulness to His covenant promises, while also setting up the crucial warning in subsequent verses against forgetting the divine source of such lavish provision. It ensures the Israelites understand that their future abundance is entirely a demonstration of God's grace and serves to preempt any self-congratulation or pride that might arise from their newfound prosperity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 6:11, while describing the physical inheritance of Israel, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the spiritual inheritance offered through Jesus Christ. Just as Israel received houses, wells, and vineyards they did not labor for, believers in Christ receive an eternal salvation and spiritual blessings they could never earn or achieve through their own works. The [New Testament](/new_testament "The New Testament - Covenant of Grace") consistently emphasizes that our salvation is by [grace through faith, not of works](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith"), echoing the unmerited nature of Israel's physical inheritance. Jesus himself is the ultimate "good thing" provided, the [Bread of Life](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life") who satisfies our deepest spiritual hunger, and the [Living Water](/john/4-10 "John 4:10 - Jesus, the Living Water") that quenches our spiritual thirst. Through His perfect life, atoning sacrifice on the cross, and victorious resurrection, He "dug" the well of salvation and "planted" the vineyard of the Kingdom of God, inviting us to partake of its fruit freely. We inherit "every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ" ([Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Spiritual Blessings in Christ")), a dwelling place not made with hands ([Hebrews 9:11](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11 - Christ's Heavenly Tabernacle")), and an eternal inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for us ([1_peter/1-4](/1-peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Imperishable Inheritance")). Thus, the lavish, unearned physical blessings of Deuteronomy 6:11 beautifully prefigure the infinitely greater, unmerited spiritual abundance found in Christ, our true and everlasting Promised Land.

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 7:12

¶ Wherefore it shall come to pass, if ye hearken to these judgments, and keep, and do them, that the LORD thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the mercy which he sware unto thy fathers:

Deuteronomy 7:18

Thou shalt not be afraid of them: [but] shalt well remember what the LORD thy God did unto Pharaoh, and unto all Egypt;

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.

Deuteronomy 8:20

As the nations which the LORD destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the LORD your God.

Ezekiel 16:10

I clothed thee also with broidered work, and shod thee with badgers' skin, and I girded thee about with fine linen, and I covered thee with silk.

Ezekiel 16:20

Moreover thou hast taken thy sons and thy daughters, whom thou hast borne unto me, and these hast thou sacrificed unto them to be devoured. [Is this] of thy whoredoms a small matter,

Jeremiah 2:31

O generation, see ye the word of the LORD. Have I been a wilderness unto Israel? a land of darkness? wherefore say my people, We are lords; we will come no more unto thee?