Deuteronomy 8:17

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

Deuteronomy 8:17 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 8:17

And thou say in thine heart
These words are in connection with the former part of the ( Deuteronomy 8:14 ) :

and thou forget the Lord thy God;
the author and giver of all the good things enjoyed, and think within themselves, though they might not express it in words at length:

my power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth;
so ascribing that to themselves, their labour, and diligence, which ought to be ascribed to the bounty and blessing of God; see ( Hosea 12:8 ) .

Deuteronomy 8:17 In-Context

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.

19 And it shall come to pass if thou do at all forget the Lord thy God, and shouldest go after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that ye shall surely perish.