Deuteronomy 8:4

KJV

Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thy raiment {H8071} waxed not old {H1086} upon thee, neither did thy foot {H7272} swell {H1216}, these forty {H705} years {H8141}.

Complete Jewish Bible

During these forty years the clothing you were wearing didn't grow old, and your feet didn't swell up.

Berean Standard Bible

Your clothing did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years.

American Standard Version

Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 8:4 powerfully encapsulates God's miraculous, sustained provision and preservation of the Israelites during their forty-year wilderness journey. It highlights His supernatural care, ensuring their clothing did not wear out and their feet remained unswollen, serving as a tangible reminder of His unwavering faithfulness and their absolute dependence on Him as they stood on the threshold of the Promised Land, poised to enter the inheritance God had promised.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 8 is strategically positioned within Moses' second major discourse to the new generation of Israelites, delivered as they stand on the plains of Moab, poised to enter the Promised Land. This chapter serves as a profound call to remember the lessons forged during the forty years in the wilderness. Moses recounts how God humbled and tested them, not to harm but to teach them complete dependence on Him, ultimately revealing that "[man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Deuteronomy 8:3 - Man Does Not Live By Bread Alone")" ([Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Deuteronomy 8:3 - Man Does Not Live By Bread Alone")). Verse 4 provides concrete, miraculous evidence of this divine sustenance, reinforcing the overarching message of God's unwavering faithfulness and Israel's utter reliance on His provision, even in the most challenging circumstances. It directly follows the theological principle with practical proof.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites had spent forty years in the wilderness, a vast, arid, and inhospitable region, a direct consequence of their rebellion at Kadesh Barnea ([Numbers 14](/numbers/14 "Numbers 14 - Israel's Rebellion and God's Judgment")). This period involved constant movement, exposure to extreme weather, and a complete lack of natural resources for a population estimated in the millions. In ancient Near Eastern culture, clothing and footwear were essential but difficult to acquire and maintain, especially for nomads. The concept of garments not wearing out and feet not swelling defies all natural expectations for such a prolonged and arduous journey. This extraordinary preservation highlights a direct, supernatural intervention by God, protecting His people from the common hardships and physical ailments that would inevitably plague such a trek, underscoring His unique covenantal relationship with Israel.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several key themes central to Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. It vividly portrays **Divine Providence and Sustenance**, demonstrating God's active, miraculous, and intimate involvement in the daily lives of His people, providing for their most basic needs in an unnatural way. It underscores **God's Faithfulness to His Covenant**, proving His unwavering commitment to preserve and bring His chosen people through hardship, despite their frequent unfaithfulness, towards the fulfillment of His promises for the land ([Deuteronomy 7:9](/deuteronomy/7-9 "Deuteronomy 7:9 - God's Faithfulness to His Covenant")). Furthermore, it emphasizes **Israel's Absolute Dependence on God**, teaching them that their survival and well-being were not due to their own efforts or resources but solely to God's supernatural care, fostering humility and trust, a lesson Moses continually reinforces (e.g., [Deuteronomy 6:10-12](/deuteronomy/6-10-12 "Deuteronomy 6:10-12 - Warning Against Forgetting God in Prosperity")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **raiment (Hebrew, _simlâh'_):** This word refers to a dress, especially a mantle or outer garment. In the context of the wilderness, these were essential coverings for protection from the elements. The miraculous preservation of their `simlâh` signifies God's direct intervention in maintaining their most basic physical needs, preventing the natural wear and tear that would necessitate constant replacement in a harsh environment where such resources were unavailable.
* **waxed not old (Hebrew, _bâlâh'_):** A primitive root meaning "to fail," "to wear out," or "to decay." The negation of this verb (`lo' bâlâh`) indicates a supernatural suspension of the natural process of deterioration. For forty years, the clothing of millions of people, subjected to constant use, movement, and the abrasive desert conditions, did not show the expected signs of aging, decay, or wear. This was a continuous, active miracle of divine preservation, defying all natural laws of entropy and material degradation.
* **swell (Hebrew, _bâtsêq'_):** A primitive root meaning "to swell up," or "to blister." The absence of swelling in their feet (`lo' bâtsêqah`) is a testament to God's intimate care for their physical well-being. Despite walking for decades over rugged, often unforgiving terrain, their feet remained healthy, free from blisters, inflammation, or debilitating injury. This divine protection ensured their mobility and prevented the widespread suffering and hindrance that would naturally accompany such an arduous and prolonged journey for a vast multitude.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee":** This clause speaks to the miraculous preservation of the Israelites' clothing. Despite forty years of constant use, exposure to the elements, and the rigors of nomadic life, their garments did not deteriorate or become unusable. This implies a supernatural intervention that either renewed the fabric or prevented its natural decay, ensuring that a vast population remained clothed without the means of regular replacement.
* **"neither did thy foot swell":** This second clause highlights God's supernatural protection of their physical health, specifically their feet. For a people constantly on the move through rough and unforgiving terrain, foot ailments would have been a major impediment and source of immense suffering. The absence of swelling indicates divine intervention that prevented injury, fatigue, blisters, and infection, enabling their continuous journey without physical hindrance.
* **"these forty years":** This phrase emphasizes the duration and consistency of God's miraculous provision and protection. It was not a one-time event but a sustained, daily miracle spanning an entire generation's wilderness journey. This long period served as a profound object lesson in God's unwavering faithfulness, His power to sustain, and Israel's utter dependence on Him, preparing them for life in the Promised Land.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 8:4 employs **Hyperbole** to underscore the extraordinary nature of God's provision, though it is presented as a literal truth within the narrative. The idea of clothes never wearing out and feet never swelling for forty years is beyond natural explanation, thus emphasizing the miraculous and divine power at work. This vivid description also functions as **Concrete Imagery**, painting a clear and memorable picture of God's intimate and practical care for His people's most basic needs. The verse further serves as a powerful **Testimony** or **Witness**, providing irrefutable evidence of God's constant presence and power during the wilderness wanderings, intended to instill trust and obedience in the new generation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 8:4 stands as a profound testament to God's detailed and supernatural provision for His people, echoing the broader biblical theme of divine sustenance. It demonstrates that God is not merely a distant creator but an intimately involved provider who cares for the most mundane aspects of His children's lives. This miraculous care in the wilderness foreshadows God's ongoing commitment to meet the needs of His people, whether physical, spiritual, or emotional, reminding them that true life and flourishing come from dependence on Him, not self-sufficiency. It also serves as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, even in the midst of human rebellion and hardship, proving His steadfast love and unwavering commitment to His chosen people.

* [Nehemiah 9:21](/nehemiah/9-21 "Nehemiah 9:21 - God's Sustained Provision in the Wilderness")
* [Matthew 6:31-33](/matthew/6-31-33 "Matthew 6:31-33 - Do Not Worry About Your Life")
* [Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "Philippians 4:19 - God Will Supply All Your Needs")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 8:4 invites us to reflect on the often-unseen ways God provides for and preserves us in our own "wilderness seasons." Just as the Israelites were sustained by a miracle that defied natural laws, we too are beneficiaries of God's consistent, often quiet, faithfulness. This verse challenges us to cultivate a deeper awareness of His daily mercies, to recognize that our well-being, health, and resources are ultimately gifts from His hand. It encourages us to trust Him implicitly, even when circumstances seem bleak, remembering that His power is not limited by our perceived lack or the harshness of our journey. Our dependence on Him should lead to profound gratitude and a renewed commitment to walk in obedience, knowing that He is utterly trustworthy and intimately involved in every detail of our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what "wilderness seasons" of your life have you experienced God's unexpected or unseen provision, similar to the Israelites?**
* **How does remembering God's miraculous care for Israel encourage your trust in Him for your daily needs and future challenges today?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a greater awareness of God's ongoing sustenance and preservation in your life, even in the seemingly mundane?**

### FAQ
**Was this a literal miracle, or is it symbolic language?**

Answer: Biblical scholars generally interpret Deuteronomy 8:4 as a literal, supernatural miracle. The text describes a tangible, physical reality: clothes that did not wear out and feet that did not swell over four decades. While the wilderness journey itself is rich with symbolic meaning, the specific details of God's provision for clothing and physical health are presented as concrete evidence of His direct intervention and miraculous care for His people, defying natural processes. This aligns with other literal miracles of provision during the exodus, such as the daily manna ([Exodus 16](/exodus/16 "Exodus 16 - The Provision of Manna and Quail")) and water from the rock ([Exodus 17:6](/exodus/17-6 "Exodus 17:6 - Water from the Rock at Horeb")).

**How could so many people's clothes last for 40 years? Did God create new clothes?**

Answer: The text does not specify *how* the clothes did not wear out. The phrase "waxed not old" (Hebrew: `bâlâh`) simply means they did not decay or wear out. While some interpret this as God miraculously creating new garments or supernaturally preserving the existing ones from decay and wear, the primary emphasis is on the *result*: the absence of deterioration. It implies a continuous, supernatural suspension of the natural aging process for their garments, ensuring they remained functional and suitable for wear for a massive population. This was a profound demonstration of God's omnipotence and His ability to provide for His people in ways that defy natural limitations.

**What is the significance of the "forty years" in this verse?**

Answer: The "forty years" signifies a complete generation and a divinely appointed period of testing, discipline, and learning for Israel. It was the time for the rebellious generation to die off and for the new generation to be prepared for the Promised Land. During this time, God taught Israel absolute dependence on Him, demonstrating His power and faithfulness daily. The duration emphasizes the consistency and long-suffering nature of God's provision, making the miracle of the clothes and feet even more profound as a sustained act of divine care. This period is a recurring motif in Scripture, often representing a time of trial or preparation, as seen in [Exodus 16:35](/exodus/16-35 "Exodus 16:35 - Israel Ate Manna Forty Years") and [Acts 7:42](/acts/7-42 "Acts 7:42 - God Gave Them Up to Worship the Host of Heaven").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 8:4, while describing God's miraculous provision for Old Testament Israel, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deeper meaning in Jesus Christ. Just as God sustained Israel in the wilderness, Christ is the ultimate sustainer of His people, providing not merely physical raiment and unswollen feet, but eternal life and spiritual nourishment. He is the true [Bread of Life](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life") who satisfies our deepest hunger, ensuring that those who come to Him will never spiritually hunger or thirst ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")). Furthermore, the divine care that prevented Israel's garments from wearing out foreshadows the "garments of salvation" and "robe of righteousness" that Christ provides to those who believe in Him ([Isaiah 61:10](/isaiah/61-10 "Isaiah 61:10 - Garments of Salvation and Robe of Righteousness")). Through His atoning sacrifice, believers are clothed in His perfect righteousness, a spiritual covering that never "waxes old" but endures for eternity ([Romans 3:22](/romans/3-22 "Romans 3:22 - Righteousness of God Through Faith in Jesus Christ")). He is the one who enables us to "walk" through the wilderness of this fallen world without our spiritual feet "swelling" from the journey, empowering us by His Spirit to persevere and reach the promised eternal inheritance ([Hebrews 12:1-2](/hebrews/12-1-2 "Hebrews 12:1-2 - Running the Race with Perseverance")). In Christ, we find the ultimate, everlasting provision and preservation, far surpassing the temporary physical miracles of the wilderness.

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 29:5

And I have led you forty years in the wilderness: your clothes are not waxen old upon you, and thy shoe is not waxen old upon thy foot.

Nehemiah 9:21

Yea, forty years didst thou sustain them in the wilderness, [so that] they lacked nothing; their clothes waxed not old, and their feet swelled not.

Matthew 26:25

Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.

Matthew 26:30

And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.