Deuteronomy 8:7

KJV

For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills;

KJV (with Strong's)

For the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} bringeth {H935} thee into a good {H2896} land {H776}, a land {H776} of brooks {H5158} of water {H4325}, of fountains {H5869} and depths {H8415} that spring out {H3318} of valleys {H1237} and hills {H2022};

Complete Jewish Bible

For ADONAI your God is bringing you into a good land, a land with streams, springs and water welling up from the depths in valleys and on hillsides.

Berean Standard Bible

For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks and fountains and springs that flow through the valleys and hills;

American Standard Version

For Jehovah thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing forth in valleys and hills;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 8:7 vividly describes the Promised Land as a place of abundant divine provision, a stark contrast to the wilderness journey. Moses, in his final address, assures Israel that the LORD their God is bringing them into a "good land" distinguished by its rich, natural water sources—brooks, fountains, and subterranean depths springing from both valleys and hills. This detailed imagery underscores God's faithfulness to His covenant promises and His intention to bless His people with a fertile, self-sustaining inheritance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 8:7 is situated within Moses' extended farewell discourse to the new generation of Israelites, delivered on the plains of Moab just before they enter Canaan. The preceding verses in [Deuteronomy 8:2-5](/deuteronomy/8-2 "Deuteronomy 8:2-5 - Remembering the Wilderness Journey") recount the forty years of wilderness wandering, emphasizing that this period was designed by God to humble Israel, test their obedience, and teach them reliance on His word, not merely on physical sustenance, as articulated in [Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Deuteronomy 8:3 - Man Does Not Live by Bread Alone"). Verse 7 then serves as a glorious counterpoint to the barrenness of the wilderness, presenting the Promised Land as God's generous provision and the tangible fulfillment of His covenant. The chapter's overarching theme is a solemn warning against forgetting the LORD once prosperity is achieved, urging continuous remembrance of His past deliverance and future blessings.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites had spent four decades in the arid wilderness, where water was a constant concern and often supplied miraculously by God ([Exodus 17:6](/exodus/17-6 "Exodus 17:6 - Water from the Rock")). Entering Canaan, they would encounter a land with a different hydrological system than the one they knew in Egypt, which relied heavily on the annual flooding of the Nile. Canaan, by contrast, was dependent on rainfall and, crucially, on natural springs and underground water sources. The detailed description of "brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills" highlights the land's natural fertility and self-sufficiency, making it an exceptionally desirable and reliable inheritance in the ancient Near East. This emphasis on abundant water underscored its value and God's extraordinary blessing, especially for a people accustomed to scarcity.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Provision and Faithfulness**. The phrase "the LORD thy God bringeth thee" unequivocally attributes Israel's entry and future prosperity to God's sovereign action, not their own merit or strength. This is a direct fulfillment of the [Abrahamic covenant](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise of Land to Abraham"). Secondly, the verse emphasizes the **Abundance and Goodness of the Promised Land**. The detailed description of water sources goes beyond the familiar "land flowing with milk and honey" ([Exodus 3:8](/exodus/3-8 "Exodus 3:8 - A Land Flowing with Milk and Honey")), painting a specific picture of its life-sustaining resources and inherent fertility, making it a truly "good land" (טוֹב, _tov_). Lastly, it reinforces the theme of **God's Covenant Promises Fulfilled**. The tangible richness of the land serves as undeniable proof that God keeps His word, solidifying the message of God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant people, as seen throughout [Deuteronomy 7](/deuteronomy/7 "Deuteronomy 7 - God's Covenant Faithfulness").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Good (Hebrew, טוֹב _tov_):** This word carries significant theological weight beyond mere fertility or pleasantness. While it certainly implies suitability for habitation and agricultural productivity, _tov_ also denotes that which is morally excellent, beneficial, and divinely approved. In the context of creation ([Genesis 1:31](/genesis/1-31 "Genesis 1:31 - God Saw That It Was Good")), God declared His creation "very good." Here, the land is not just productive; it is inherently "good" because it is a divine gift, perfectly suited to fulfill God's purposes for His people. It reflects God's character as a generous and benevolent provider.
* **Depths (Hebrew, תְּהֹמֹת _tehomot_):** While literally referring to subterranean waters or springs, this word can also evoke the primordial "deep" or "abyss" from [Genesis 1:2](/genesis/1-2 "Genesis 1:2 - The Spirit Hovered Over the Deep"). Its use here suggests not just surface water or seasonal rainfall, but a profound, inexhaustible, and perhaps even miraculous source of water that originates from deep within the earth. This emphasizes the extraordinary and reliable nature of the land's water supply, a stark contrast to the precarious existence in the wilderness and the dependence on external sources like the Nile in Egypt. It speaks to a land richly blessed by God from its very foundations.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land,"**: This opening clause establishes divine agency as paramount. Israel's entry into and possession of the land is not a result of their military might or strategic prowess, but solely by the sovereign act of Yahweh, their covenant God. The land is characterized as "good," implying not just agricultural fertility but also its suitability, pleasantness, and inherent blessing as a divine gift.
* **"a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths"**: This phrase provides specific, vivid details about the land's abundant water resources. "Brooks of water" (נַחֲלֵי מָיִם, _nachalei mayim_) refers to wadis or riverbeds that are either perennial or reliably filled, indicating a well-watered region. "Fountains" (עֲיָנֹת, _ayanot_) are natural springs, crucial for continuous, fresh water supply, especially in an arid climate. "Depths" (וּתְהֹמֹת, _u'tehomot_) points to underground water sources, suggesting deep, reliable wells or subterranean aquifers, emphasizing the land's self-sufficiency and independence from mere surface runoff or seasonal rains.
* **"that spring out of valleys and hills;"**: This final clause highlights the pervasive nature of these water sources. Water is not confined to one geographical feature but is found throughout the diverse topography of the land. Whether in the low-lying valleys or emerging from the elevated hills, reliable water sources are ubiquitous, further underscoring the land's extraordinary fertility and God's comprehensive provision.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 8:7 is rich in **Imagery**, painting a vivid and appealing picture of the Promised Land. The detailed description of "brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills" appeals directly to the senses, creating a mental landscape of lushness and abundance that would have been profoundly attractive to a people who had endured forty years in the desert. This imagery functions as a powerful **Contrast** with the arid wilderness described in the preceding verses, highlighting the magnitude of God's blessing. There is also an element of **Hyperbole** or heightened description, typical of ancient Near Eastern blessings, to emphasize the extraordinary nature of this provision. The enumeration of diverse water sources (brooks, fountains, depths) serves as a form of **Merism** or **Comprehensive Listing**, suggesting that water is available everywhere and in every form, from surface flow to deep underground reserves. Ultimately, the land itself, with its abundant water, functions as a powerful **Symbolism** of God's faithfulness, His covenant love, and the comprehensive nature of His blessings.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 8:7 is a profound testament to God's character as a faithful and generous provider, whose blessings far exceed human expectation or merit. It teaches that true prosperity is not self-generated but is a divine gift, rooted in God's covenant promises and His unwavering commitment to His people. The detailed description of the land's abundance serves as a tangible demonstration of God's love and power, challenging Israel to remember their dependence on Him even in times of plenty. This principle extends beyond physical provision, reminding us that all true blessings—spiritual, emotional, and material—flow from the benevolent hand of God. The verse underscores that God desires to lead His people into places of flourishing, not just survival, and that His faithfulness is the bedrock upon which all their future hope and prosperity rests.

* [Isaiah 41:17-18](/isaiah/41-17 "God Provides Water in the Wilderness")
* [Psalm 65:9-13](/psalms/65-9 "God's Provision for the Earth")
* [Jeremiah 2:7](/jeremiah/2-7 "Israel Brought into a Plentiful Land")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 8:7 offers a timeless invitation for believers today to reflect on the nature of God's provision in their own lives. Just as God led Israel from the barren wilderness into a land of overflowing abundance, He continues to guide and sustain His people, often in ways that surpass our imagination or perceived needs. This verse calls us to cultivate a posture of profound gratitude for the "good land" we inhabit, recognizing that every blessing—be it physical resources, spiritual nourishment, supportive relationships, or opportunities—is a direct gift from God's hand. It encourages us to remember His past faithfulness in our personal wildernesses, building trust that He will continue to meet our needs in His perfect timing and according to His good purposes. Furthermore, it challenges us to consider how we steward the abundance He has given us, ensuring that our prosperity does not lead to forgetfulness of our divine Provider, but rather to deeper worship and generous service.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what "wilderness" seasons has God faithfully provided for you, and how does remembering those times strengthen your trust in His current and future provision?**
* **What are the "brooks, fountains, and depths" of God's provision in your life right now, and how can you cultivate a deeper sense of gratitude for them?**
* **How might the abundance God has given you tempt you to forget Him, and what practical steps can you take to remain humble and dependent on Him?**
* **How does the promise of a "good land" in Deuteronomy 8:7 inform your understanding of God's desire for your flourishing, both physically and spiritually?**

### FAQ
**Why is water emphasized so much in the description of the Promised Land?**

Answer: The emphasis on water in Deuteronomy 8:7 is crucial for several reasons, deeply rooted in the historical and cultural context of the Israelites. First, it highlights a stark contrast with the forty years of wilderness wandering, where water was scarce and often miraculously provided ([Exodus 17:6](/exodus/17-6 "Exodus 17:6 - Water from the Rock")). The Promised Land's natural abundance of water signified a new era of stable, self-sustaining provision. Second, it distinguished Canaan from Egypt, which relied on the annual flooding of the Nile. Canaan, with its "brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills," was blessed with natural springs and rainfall, making it inherently fertile and less dependent on large-scale irrigation. This natural irrigation system made the land exceptionally valuable in an arid region, underscoring God's extraordinary blessing and the land's capacity to support a thriving population.

**How does this description of the "good land" relate to the more common phrase "a land flowing with milk and honey"?**

Answer: While both phrases describe the Promised Land's abundance, Deuteronomy 8:7 offers a more specific and detailed picture than "a land flowing with milk and honey" ([Exodus 3:8](/exodus/3-8 "Exodus 3:8 - A Land Flowing with Milk and Honey")). "Milk and honey" is a poetic idiom for general fertility, richness, and sweetness, implying a land capable of sustaining livestock (milk) and producing sweet fruits (honey, often from dates or grapes). Deuteronomy 8:7, however, provides concrete hydrological details: "brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills." This specificity emphasizes the *source* of the land's fertility – its abundant and reliable water supply. It moves beyond a general poetic description to a practical, geographical one, assuring Israel that the land's goodness is deeply rooted in its natural resources, supernaturally provided by God.

**Is the "good land" only a physical place, or does it have deeper spiritual significance?**

Answer: While the "good land" in Deuteronomy 8:7 primarily refers to the physical territory of Canaan that Israel was about to inherit, its description carries profound spiritual and theological significance. For Israel, it was the tangible fulfillment of God's covenant promises, symbolizing His faithfulness, blessing, and the establishment of His people in a place of rest and prosperity. Theologically, this earthly "good land" serves as a type or foreshadowing of greater spiritual realities. It points to the ultimate spiritual inheritance and rest found in Christ ([Hebrews 4:9-11](/hebrews/4-9 "Hebrews 4:9-11 - The Sabbath Rest for God's People")), the abundant life He offers ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Abundant Life")), and the new heaven and new earth where God's people will dwell in perfect communion with Him, a place of ultimate provision and no more thirst ([Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1 "Revelation 21:1-4 - New Heaven and New Earth")). Thus, it's both a historical reality and a rich spiritual metaphor.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 8:7, with its vivid portrayal of a "good land" overflowing with life-giving water, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the earthly Promised Land was a testament to God's physical provision and covenant faithfulness to Israel, Christ is the true "good land" into whom God brings His people, offering an inheritance of immeasurable spiritual blessings ([Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Every Spiritual Blessing in Christ")). He is the source of "living water" that truly satisfies the soul, as He told the Samaritan woman, promising that whoever drinks of the water He gives "will never be thirsty again" ([John 4:10-14](/john/4-10 "John 4:10-14 - Jesus, the Living Water")). The brooks, fountains, and depths of Canaan, though abundant, were but shadows of the inexhaustible spiritual resources found in Christ, who provides eternal life, spiritual nourishment, and true rest from the weary wanderings of sin. Through His sacrifice, Jesus has opened the way to a heavenly Canaan, a new creation where all of God's promises are yes and amen in Him, and where the "river of the water of life" flows freely from the throne of God ([Revelation 22:1-2](/rev/22-1 "Revelation 22:1-2 - The River of Life")). He is the embodiment of God's ultimate provision, leading His people not merely to a physical land, but to an eternal dwelling in His presence, where all thirst is quenched and every need eternally met.

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 11:9

And that ye may prolong [your] days in the land, which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give unto them and to their seed, a land that floweth with milk and honey.

Deuteronomy 11:12

A land which the LORD thy God careth for: the eyes of the LORD thy God [are] always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year.

Exodus 3:8

And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.

Deuteronomy 6:10

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,

Deuteronomy 6:11

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;

Ezekiel 20:6

In the day [that] I lifted up mine hand unto them, to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied for them, flowing with milk and honey, which [is] the glory of all lands:

Psalms 65:9

Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, [which] is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it.