Deuteronomy 8:16

16 who fed thee with manna in the wilderness, which thou knewest not, and thy fathers knew not; that he might afflict thee, and thoroughly try thee, and do thee good in thy latter days.

Deuteronomy 8:16 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 8:16

Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna
Even all the forty years they were in it, ( Exodus 16:35 ) which thy fathers knew not; when they first saw it, ( Exodus 16:15 )

that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee;
they were kept humble, being dependent on God for their daily bread, having nothing in the wilderness to support themselves with; and this tried them, whether they would trust in God for their daily supply, and be thankful for it, or not:

to do thee good at thy latter end;
that by living on such light bread, and this only and continually, his goodness might appear the greater, and be the sweeter to them, when they came into a land abounding with all good things; which is not to be understood of the latter end and last days of their commonwealth, as our version, with the Septuagint, Samaritan, Arabic versions, and others, and the Targum of Onkelos; but of time following nearer, and the phrase should be rendered "hereafter" {y}; which better agrees with the promise of a divine blessing; though, come when it would, it was the more acceptable for the trial; as heaven will be the sweeter to the saints, through the afflictions, hardships, straits, and difficulties, which attend them here.

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FOOTNOTES:

F25 (Ktyrxab) "tandem", Tigurine version, Vatablus, Piscator; "posthac", Noldius, p. 180. No. 807.

Deuteronomy 8:16 In-Context

14 thou shouldest be exalted in heart, and forget the Lord thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage:

15 who brought thee through that great and terrible wilderness, where the biting serpent, and scorpion, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee a fountain of water out of the flinty rock:

16 who fed thee with manna in the wilderness, which thou knewest not, and thy fathers knew not; that he might afflict thee, and thoroughly try thee, and do thee good in thy latter days.

17 Lest thou shouldest say in thine heart, My strength, and the power of mine hand have wrought for me this great wealth.

18 But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God, that he gives thee strength to get wealth; even that he may establish his covenant, which the Lord sware to thy fathers, as at this day.