Deuteronomy 8:3

KJV

And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every [word] that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he humbled {H6031} thee, and suffered thee to hunger {H7456}, and fed {H398} thee with manna {H4478}, which thou knewest {H3045} not, neither did thy fathers {H1} know {H3045}; that he might make thee know {H3045} that man {H120} doth not live {H2421} by bread {H3899} only {H905}, but by every word that proceedeth {H4161} out of the mouth {H6310} of the LORD {H3068} doth man {H120} live {H2421}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He humbled you, allowing you to become hungry, and then fed you with man, which neither you nor your ancestors had ever known, to make you understand that a person does not live on food alone but on everything that comes from the mouth of ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

He humbled you, and in your hunger He gave you manna to eat, which neither you nor your fathers had known, so that you might understand that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.

American Standard Version

And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by everything that proceedeth out of the mouth of Jehovah doth man live.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 8:3 stands as a profound declaration delivered by Moses to the Israelites on the precipice of the Promised Land, encapsulating the deep spiritual lessons gleaned from their forty years in the wilderness. It reveals God's pedagogical method of humbling and testing His people through physical deprivation, culminating in miraculous provision, all to instill the foundational truth that true human existence and flourishing are not sustained by material sustenance alone, but by every divine utterance and command that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord. This verse underscores the supremacy of God's word as the ultimate source of life, guidance, and spiritual nourishment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 8:3 is situated within Moses' final discourse to the new generation of Israelites, delivered on the plains of Moab before their entry into Canaan. This chapter, specifically [Deuteronomy 8](/deuteronomy/8 "Deuteronomy 8 - Remembering God's Faithfulness"), serves as a crucial reminder of God's past dealings with Israel during their wilderness wanderings, particularly the trials and provisions of the preceding forty years. Moses recounts these events not merely as historical narrative but as a theological instruction, urging the people to remember God's faithfulness and to obey His commandments in the prosperity of the land they are about to inherit. The immediate preceding verse, [Deuteronomy 8:2](/deuteronomy/8-2 "Deuteronomy 8:2 - God's Testing in the Wilderness"), explicitly states the purpose of the wilderness journey: "to humble you and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands." Verse 3 then elaborates on *how* God humbled and tested them, leading directly into the core spiritual lesson.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The forty-year wilderness sojourn was a pivotal period in Israel's history, a time of national formation following their liberation from Egyptian slavery. This generation had not experienced the Exodus directly but had lived their entire lives under the unique conditions of divine provision and discipline. The wilderness was an inhospitable environment, making survival entirely dependent on God's supernatural intervention. The provision of manna, a mysterious food that appeared daily (except on the Sabbath), was a tangible, continuous miracle ([Exodus 16:1-36](/exodus/16 "Exodus 16 - Manna and Quail")). It was designed to teach them absolute dependence on God, contrasting sharply with the agricultural abundance they were about to encounter in Canaan. Culturally, the emphasis on "bread" represented basic physical sustenance, the most fundamental human need, making the contrast with "every word" particularly potent.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully articulates several core themes central to Deuteronomy and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Pedagogy and Discipline**, demonstrating that God uses hardship and humbling experiences not for punishment, but for instruction and character formation, revealing the true state of the human heart ([Deuteronomy 8:2](/deuteronomy/8-2 "Deuteronomy 8:2 - God's Testing in the Wilderness")). Secondly, it underscores **God's Sovereign Provision**, particularly through the miraculous manna, which served as a constant reminder that He is the ultimate sustainer of life, capable of providing beyond human means or knowledge ([Exodus 16:15](/exodus/16-15 "Exodus 16:15 - The Appearance of Manna")). Most significantly, the verse establishes the **Supremacy of God's Word**, asserting that true life and well-being are derived not merely from physical sustenance, but from obedience to and nourishment by God's divine commands and revelation. This theme elevates spiritual truth above material necessity, laying a foundation for understanding the spiritual nature of humanity's deepest needs.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Humbled (Hebrew, _'anah'_):** This verb signifies to "afflict," "humble," "chasten," or "bring low." In this context, it does not imply malicious cruelty but a purposeful, disciplinary humbling designed to break self-reliance and foster dependence on God. It speaks to a process of divine pedagogy where God allows circumstances that strip away human pride and self-sufficiency, leading to a deeper recognition of His sovereignty and provision.
* **Manna (Hebrew, _man_):** The miraculous food provided by God in the wilderness. Its name likely derives from the Hebrew "man hu?" meaning "What is it?" ([Exodus 16:15](/exodus/16-15 "Exodus 16:15 - The Appearance of Manna")). It was a unique, unknown substance, emphasizing its supernatural origin and God's direct, personal involvement in sustaining His people. It served as a tangible sign of God's faithfulness and a daily lesson in dependence.
* **Word (Hebrew, _motza'_):** This noun literally means "that which goes forth" or "utterance." It is broader than merely spoken words; it encompasses divine commands, decrees, principles, and the entire revelation of God's will. It signifies the active, life-giving power inherent in God's declarations and instructions. Life is sustained not just by God's promises, but by His active direction and the very principles He establishes for living.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger,"**: This clause describes the initial phase of God's wilderness training. The humbling was not punitive but pedagogical, designed to reveal the Israelites' inner character and to teach them absolute reliance on God. The hunger they experienced was a direct result of God's allowing, a controlled deprivation that created a vacuum for divine intervention and a profound lesson in human vulnerability.
* **"and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know;"**: Following the hunger, God provided manna, a food entirely unknown to them or their ancestors. This emphasizes the miraculous and supernatural nature of the provision. It was not a natural resource they could exploit or understand, but a direct, daily gift from God, reinforcing their utter dependence on Him for sustenance.
* **"that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only,"**: This is the pivotal explanatory clause, revealing the ultimate purpose behind God's actions. The physical experience of hunger followed by miraculous provision was a vivid object lesson. "Bread" here represents all physical sustenance and material provisions. The lesson is that human life, in its fullest sense, is not solely sustained by these tangible things. There is a deeper, more fundamental source of life.
* **"but by every [word] that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live."**: This is the profound spiritual truth unveiled. True life, well-being, and flourishing are ultimately derived from God's active, living word—His commands, instructions, and divine revelation. This "word" provides spiritual nourishment, moral guidance, and the very principles by which humanity is designed to thrive. It elevates obedience and spiritual sustenance above mere physical existence, defining the essence of human life in relation to its Creator.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 8:3 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically an antithetical parallelism, which contrasts "bread only" with "every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD." This juxtaposition highlights the qualitative difference between physical and spiritual sustenance, emphasizing the supremacy of the latter. **Symbolism** is also evident, where "bread" symbolizes all material provisions and physical life, while "every word" symbolizes divine revelation, commands, and spiritual life. The manna itself functions as a **Type** or **Figure**, foreshadowing a greater spiritual provision to come. The entire passage is a prime example of **Didacticism**, as Moses' address is explicitly designed to instruct and teach the new generation profound theological truths through historical recounting. Finally, the narrative structure of "humbled... suffered... fed... that he might make you know" demonstrates a clear **Cause and Effect** relationship, illustrating God's purposeful actions leading to a specific spiritual outcome.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 8:3 establishes a foundational biblical truth: human life, in its truest and most complete sense, is ultimately dependent on God's active word and not merely on physical sustenance. This principle elevates the spiritual realm above the material, asserting that humanity's deepest needs are met by divine revelation and obedience. It teaches that God's primary concern is not just physical survival, but the spiritual formation and character development of His people, achieved through trials that expose human limitations and cultivate absolute dependence on Him. This verse sets the stage for understanding the vital role of God's commands and wisdom as the true source of life, wisdom, and flourishing, a theme echoed throughout the wisdom literature and prophetic books, culminating in the New Testament's portrayal of Jesus as the living Word.

* [Matthew 4:4](/matthew/4-4 "Matthew 4:4 - Jesus Quotes Deuteronomy 8:3")
* [Luke 4:4](/luke/4-4 "Luke 4:4 - Jesus Quotes Deuteronomy 8:3")
* [Psalm 119:105](/psalms/119-105 "Psalm 119:105 - God's Word as a Lamp")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 8:3 calls us to a profound re-evaluation of what truly sustains us. In a world that often prioritizes material comfort, financial security, and physical well-being, this verse challenges us to recognize that these are insufficient for true life. God's deliberate humbling of Israel through hunger and subsequent supernatural provision serves as a timeless object lesson: hardships are often God's tools to strip away our self-reliance and redirect our gaze to Him as our ultimate source. We are invited to cultivate a radical dependence on God's word, understanding that His commands, wisdom, and promises are not merely suggestions but the very essence of spiritual nourishment and the blueprint for a flourishing life. This means prioritizing time in Scripture, seeking to obey His will, and trusting that His divine utterance is more vital than any earthly provision. Just as manna sustained Israel in the wilderness, God's truth sustains us through life's barren places and prepares us for the abundance of His kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I tend to rely on "bread only" (material or worldly provisions) rather than on God's "every word"?**
* **How have past experiences of "humbling" or "hunger" (deprivation, hardship) served as a means for God to teach me deeper dependence on Him?**
* **What practical steps can I take to prioritize God's word as the primary source of my daily sustenance and guidance?**
* **How does understanding that true life comes from God's word change my perspective on trials and difficulties?**

### FAQ
**Why did God make the Israelites hungry if He intended to feed them?**

Answer: God allowed the Israelites to experience hunger not out of malice or inability to provide, but as a deliberate pedagogical strategy. As [Deuteronomy 8:2](/deuteronomy/8-2 "Deuteronomy 8:2 - God's Testing in the Wilderness") states, it was "to humble you and to test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not." The hunger was a means to expose their inherent self-reliance and to create a profound need that only God could supernaturally fill. This experience was designed to teach them absolute dependence on Him for their very survival, thereby demonstrating that physical sustenance is secondary to obedience to and reliance on His divine word.

**What does "every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD" truly mean?**

Answer: This phrase refers to more than just spoken words; it encompasses all of God's divine utterances, commands, decrees, instructions, and principles. It signifies the entire revelation of God's will and wisdom. It implies that true human flourishing and life are not sustained by physical nourishment alone, but by actively listening to, obeying, and being nourished by God's active, life-giving truth. It's about living in accordance with the divine order and wisdom that God has established for humanity, found in His revealed word.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 8:3 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. When tempted by Satan in the wilderness, Jesus Himself quotes this very verse ([Matthew 4:4](/matthew/4-4 "Matthew 4:4 - Jesus Quotes Deuteronomy 8:3"); [Luke 4:4](/luke/4-4 "Luke 4:4 - Jesus Quotes Deuteronomy 8:3")), demonstrating that even the Son of God lived by complete dependence on the Father's word, prioritizing spiritual obedience over physical hunger. Jesus is the quintessential "Word" of God made flesh ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Became Flesh")), the living embodiment of all that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord. He declares Himself to be the "Bread of Life" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")), the true spiritual sustenance that descends from heaven, far superior to the manna that sustained Israel in the wilderness. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus provides eternal life and spiritual nourishment to all who believe, fulfilling the promise that humanity truly lives by every word from God. He is the ultimate provision, the divine utterance that sustains not just physical existence, but eternal life and spiritual vitality for all who receive Him.

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

Matthew 4:4

But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Luke 4:4

And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

Hebrews 13:5

[Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Hebrews 13:6

So that we may boldly say, The Lord [is] my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Exodus 16:2

And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness:

Exodus 16:3

And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, [and] when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.

Psalms 78:23

Though he had commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of heaven,