Deuteronomy 8:13

And [when] thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied;

And when thy herds {H1241} and thy flocks {H6629} multiply {H7235}, and thy silver {H3701} and thy gold {H2091} is multiplied {H7235}, and all that thou hast is multiplied {H7235};

and increased your herds, flocks, silver, gold and everything else you own,

and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all that you have is multiplied,

and when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied;

Commentary

Commentary on Deuteronomy 8:13 (KJV)

Deuteronomy 8:13 is a descriptive verse within a crucial passage of Moses' farewell address to the Israelites, delivered just before they entered the Promised Land. It vividly paints a picture of the material prosperity God intended to bestow upon them, setting the stage for a solemn warning about the dangers of such abundance.

Context

This verse is part of a larger discourse (Deuteronomy 8:11-20) where Moses cautions the people against forgetting the Lord their God once they are settled in the land of abundance and blessing. Having experienced forty years of wilderness wandering, where God miraculously provided for their every need and humbled them (Deuteronomy 8:2-3), they were now on the cusp of inheriting a land flowing with milk and honey. Moses' warning in verses 11-12 immediately precedes verse 13, stating, "Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God... Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; And thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God..."

Key Themes

  • Prosperity and Abundance: The verse explicitly lists the forms of material blessing: multiplication of "herds and flocks" (agricultural wealth), "silver and gold" (monetary wealth), and "all that thou hast" (comprehensive prosperity). This highlights the tangible, promised blessings from God.
  • The Peril of Prosperity: While a blessing, this verse serves as a preamble to the warning that such prosperity can lead to pride and forgetting the true source of their wealth. It underscores the human tendency to become self-sufficient and forget divine dependence when life is comfortable.
  • Divine Provision: Implicitly, this multiplication of wealth is not by human effort alone but is seen as God's generous provision and fulfillment of His covenant promises to Israel (Deuteronomy 7:13-14).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "multiplied" used repeatedly in this verse is rabah (Χ¨ΦΈΧ‘ΦΈΧ”), which means to become great, numerous, or abundant. Its repetition emphasizes the sheer scale and comprehensive nature of the blessings God intended to pour out upon Israel. This isn't just a slight increase, but a significant, widespread proliferation of all their possessions.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 8:13 speaks profoundly to contemporary society. In an age of unprecedented material wealth for many, the same spiritual dangers persist. This verse calls us to:

  • Remember the Source: All blessings, whether material or otherwise, ultimately come from God. It's easy to credit our own hard work, intelligence, or good fortune, but the Bible consistently reminds us that it is God who gives us the power to get wealth.
  • Guard Against Pride: When things go well, there's a temptation for our "heart to be lifted up" (Deuteronomy 8:14). This verse serves as a timeless caution against allowing material success to lead to spiritual arrogance or a diminished sense of dependence on God.
  • Cultivate Gratitude and Stewardship: Instead of leading to forgetfulness, prosperity should deepen our gratitude and commitment to being good stewards of the resources God has entrusted to us.

The essence of Deuteronomy 8:13, when read in its full context, is a powerful reminder that true prosperity is not just about what we possess, but about remembering the God who provides it and living in humble obedience to Him.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Job 1:3

    His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.

  • Genesis 13:1

    ΒΆ And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south.

  • Genesis 13:5

    ΒΆ And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents.

  • Luke 12:13

    ΒΆ And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.

  • Luke 12:21

    So [is] he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

  • Psalms 39:6

    Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up [riches], and knoweth not who shall gather them.
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