Deuteronomy 8:2-4

2 Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.
3 He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.
4 Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years.

Deuteronomy 8:2-4 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 8

In this chapter Moses repeats the exhortation to observe the commands of God, and urges the Israelites to it, from the consideration of the great and good things God had done for them in the wilderness, and even in those instances which were chastisements, and were of an humbling nature, De 8:1-6, and on the consideration of the blessings of the good land they were going to possess, De 8:7-9 for which blessings they are exhorted to be thankful, and are cautioned against pride of heart through them, and forgetfulness of God, and of his goodness to them while in the wilderness, and when brought into the land of Canaan, which they were to ascribe to his power and goodness, and not their own, De 8:10-18, and the chapter is concluded with a warning against idolatry, lest they perish through it as the nations before them, De 8:19,20.

Cross References 9

  • 1. Deuteronomy 29:5; Psalms 136:16; Amos 2:10
  • 2. S Genesis 22:1
  • 3. 2 Chronicles 36:12; Psalms 44:9; Proverbs 18:12; Isaiah 2:11; Jeremiah 44:10
  • 4. S Exodus 16:4; Ex 16:12,14,35
  • 5. 1 Kings 8:36; Psalms 25:5; Psalms 94:12; Psalms 119:171
  • 6. ver 9; S Genesis 3:19; Job 23:12; Psalms 104:15; Proverbs 28:21; Isaiah 51:14; Jeremiah 42:14
  • 7. Job 22:22; Psalms 119:13; Psalms 138:4
  • 8. S Exodus 16:2-3; Matthew 4:4*; Luke 4:4*
  • 9. Deuteronomy 29:5; Nehemiah 9:21
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.