Deuteronomy 8:9 Study Bible: a land in which you shall eat bread without scarcity, and in which you will lack nothing; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills you may dig copper.

Bible > Deuteronomy > Chapter 8 > Verse 9

◄ Deuteronomy 8:9 ►

a land where you will eat food without scarcity, where you will lack nothing; a land whose rocks are iron and whose hills are ready to be mined for copper.

Study Bible

a land where you will eat food without scarcity
This phrase speaks to the abundance and provision that God promises to the Israelites in the Promised Land. The Hebrew word for "scarcity" is "miskēnût," which implies poverty or lack. In the historical context, the Israelites had experienced scarcity during their wilderness journey, relying on manna from heaven. This promise of abundance contrasts with their past and signifies God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His covenant. The land is depicted as a place of plenty, reflecting God's desire to bless His people materially and spiritually.

where you will lack nothing
The phrase emphasizes the completeness of God's provision. The Hebrew root "ḥāsēr" means to lack or be deficient. This assurance of lacking nothing is a powerful reminder of God's sufficiency. In a broader scriptural context, it echoes Psalm 23:1, "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." It reassures believers that God knows their needs and provides for them abundantly, encouraging trust and reliance on His providence.

a land whose stones are iron
Iron, in the ancient Near East, was a valuable resource, essential for making tools and weapons. The mention of iron indicates the land's richness in natural resources, which would enable the Israelites to thrive economically and militarily. Archaeologically, the presence of iron deposits in the region supports this description. Spiritually, it symbolizes strength and resilience, qualities that God imparts to His people.

and from whose hills you can mine copper
Copper mining was a significant industry in the ancient world, used for creating various implements and trade. The Hebrew word for copper, "neḥōšet," also refers to bronze, an alloy of copper and tin. This phrase highlights the land's economic potential and God's provision of resources necessary for the Israelites' prosperity. Historically, the Timna Valley in the southern Levant is known for its ancient copper mines, aligning with the biblical narrative. This abundance of resources serves as a metaphor for the spiritual riches available to those who follow God's commandments.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites who is delivering God's message to the people as they prepare to enter the Promised Land.

2. Israelites
The chosen people of God who are on the brink of entering the land promised to their ancestors.

3. Promised Land
The land of Canaan, described as abundant and resource-rich, which God promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

4. Canaan
The geographical region that the Israelites are about to enter, characterized by its fertility and resources.

5. Wilderness Journey
The 40-year period of wandering that the Israelites experienced as a test of faith and obedience before entering the Promised Land.

Teaching Points

God's Provision
The verse highlights God's promise of provision and abundance. Just as He provided for the Israelites, He promises to meet our needs today.

Trust in God's Promises
The Israelites were called to trust in God's promises despite the challenges. We are encouraged to trust in God's faithfulness and His plans for our lives.

Gratitude for Abundance
Recognize and be thankful for the abundance in our lives, understanding that it is a gift from God.

Stewardship of Resources
The mention of iron and copper suggests the importance of wisely using the resources God provides. We are called to be good stewards of what we have.

Spiritual Abundance
Beyond physical provision, God offers spiritual abundance through a relationship with Him. Seek to cultivate a life rich in spiritual blessings.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the description of the Promised Land in Deuteronomy 8:9 reflect God's character and His intentions for His people?

2. In what ways can we see God's provision in our own lives, and how can we express gratitude for it?

3. How does the promise of abundance in Deuteronomy 8:9 connect with the New Testament teachings on God's provision?

4. What are some practical ways we can be good stewards of the resources God has given us?

5. How can we apply the concept of spiritual abundance in our daily walk with God, and what scriptures support this idea?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Genesis 12:1-3
God's promise to Abraham about making him a great nation and giving his descendants the land of Canaan.

Exodus 3:8
God's assurance to Moses about delivering the Israelites to a land flowing with milk and honey.

Numbers 13:27
The report of the spies about the richness of the land of Canaan.

Psalm 81:16
God's promise to satisfy His people with the finest of wheat and honey from the rock.

Philippians 4:19
The assurance that God will supply all needs according to His riches in glory.

Sermons

The Land of Promise	T. Binney.	Deuteronomy 8:7-9
The Good Land	J. Orr	Deuteronomy 8:7-10
God Forgotten Amid Second Causes	R.M. Edgar	Deuteronomy 8:7-20
Wealth Perilous to Piety	D. Davies	Deuteronomy 8:7-20

People

Moses

Places

Beth-baal-peor, Egypt

Topics

Anything, Brass, Bread, Copper, Dig, Eat, Full, Hills, Iron, Lack, Mayest, Measure, Mountains, Nothing, Rocks, Scarce, Scarceness, Scarcity, Stones, Wherein, Wilt

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Deuteronomy 8:9

4354 rock

Deuteronomy 8:6-9

4492 olive

Deuteronomy 8:7-9

     4245   hills
     4303   metals
     4418   bread
     4456   grain
     4528   trees
     5447   poverty, causes
     6659   freedom, acts in OT

Deuteronomy 8:7-10

4209 land, spiritual aspects

Library

God's Training
DEUTERONOMY viii. 2-5. And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments or no. And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the …
Charles Kingsley—Discipline and Other Sermons

The Lesson of Memory
'Thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these lofty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep His commandments, or no.'--DEUT. viii.2. The strand of our lives usually slips away smoothly enough, but days such as this, the last Sunday in a year, are like the knots on a sailor's log, which, as they pass through his fingers, tell him how fast it is being paid out from the reel, and how far it has …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

National Wealth
(Fifth Sunday after Easter.) Deut. viii. 11-18. Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day: lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; and when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the Lord thy God, which brought thee forth …
Charles Kingsley—The Gospel of the Pentateuch

Subterraneous Places. Mines. Caves.
Thus having taken some notice of the superficies of the land, let us a little search into its bowels. You may divide the subterraneous country into three parts: the metal mines, the caves, and the places of burial. This land was eminently noted for metal mines, so that "its stones," in very many places, "were iron, and out of its hills was digged brass," Deuteronomy 8:9. From these gain accrued to the Jews: but to the Christians, not seldom slavery and misery; being frequently condemned hither by …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Emmanuel's Land
P. G. Deut. viii. 7-10 The land! the glory of all lands, Beyond the Jordan's wave; Beyond the weary desert sands-- The land beyond the grave! Now safe witin that glorious land, We prove His faithful Word; 'Midst Canaan's golden fields we stand, The ransomed of the Lord. Amidst the burning desert drought We learnt His watchful love; Streams from the flinty rocks He brought, Sent bread from Heaven above. Our God in weariness and need, His love was measured there By hunger which His hand would feed, …
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen, Suso, and Others

Palestine Eighteen Centuries Ago
Eighteen and a half centuries ago, and the land which now lies desolate--its bare, grey hills looking into ill-tilled or neglected valleys, its timber cut down, its olive- and vine-clad terraces crumbled into dust, its villages stricken with poverty and squalor, its thoroughfares insecure and deserted, its native population well-nigh gone, and with them its industry, wealth, and strength--presented a scene of beauty, richness, and busy life almost unsurpassed in the then known world. The Rabbis never …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

The Temptation of Christ
Matthew 4:1-11 -- "Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a …
George Whitefield—Selected Sermons of George Whitefield

Why all Things Work for Good
1. The grand reason why all things work for good, is the near and dear interest which God has in His people. The Lord has made a covenant with them. "They shall be my people, and I will be their God" (Jer. xxxii. 38). By virtue of this compact, all things do, and must work, for good to them. "I am God, even thy God" (Psalm l. 7). This word, Thy God,' is the sweetest word in the Bible, it implies the best relations; and it is impossible there should be these relations between God and His people, and …
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners:
A BRIEF AND FAITHFUL RELATION OF THE EXCEEDING MERCY OF GOD IN CHRIST TO HIS POOR SERVANT, JOHN BUNYAN; WHEREIN IS PARTICULARLY SHOWED THE MANNER OF HIS CONVERSION, HIS SIGHT AND TROUBLE FOR SIN, HIS DREADFUL TEMPTATIONS, ALSO HOW HE DESPAIRED OF GOD'S MERCY, AND HOW THE LORD AT LENGTH THROUGH CHRIST DID DELIVER HIM FROM ALL THE GUILT AND TERROR THAT LAY UPON HIM. Whereunto is added a brief relation of his call to the work of the ministry, of his temptations therein, as also what he hath met with …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

In Death and after Death
A sadder picture could scarcely be drawn than that of the dying Rabbi Jochanan ben Saccai, that "light of Israel" immediately before and after the destruction of the Temple, and for two years the president of the Sanhedrim. We read in the Talmud (Ber. 28 b) that, when his disciples came to see him on his death-bed, he burst into tears. To their astonished inquiry why he, "the light of Israel, the right pillar of the Temple, and its mighty hammer," betrayed such signs of fear, he replied: "If I were …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Meditations Before Dinner and Supper.
Meditate that hunger is like the sickness called a wolf; which, if thou dost not feed, will devour thee, and eat thee up; and that meat and drink are but as physic, or means which God hath ordained, to relieve and cure this natural infirmity and necessity of man. Use, therefore, to eat and to drink, rather to sustain and refresh the weakness of nature, than to satisfy the sensuality and delights of the flesh. Eat, therefore, to live, but live not to eat. There is no service so base, as for a man …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Third Sunday Before Lent
Text: First Corinthians 9, 24-27; 10, 1-5. 24 Know ye not that they that run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? Even so run; that ye may attain. 25 And every man that striveth in the games exerciseth self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, as not uncertainly; so fight I, as not beating the air: 27 but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II

Deuteronomy
Owing to the comparatively loose nature of the connection between consecutive passages in the legislative section, it is difficult to present an adequate summary of the book of Deuteronomy. In the first section, i.-iv. 40, Moses, after reviewing the recent history of the people, and showing how it reveals Jehovah's love for Israel, earnestly urges upon them the duty of keeping His laws, reminding them of His spirituality and absoluteness. Then follows the appointment, iv. 41-43--here irrelevant (cf. …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links

Deuteronomy 8:9 NIV
Deuteronomy 8:9 NLT
Deuteronomy 8:9 ESV
Deuteronomy 8:9 NASB
Deuteronomy 8:9 KJV

Deuteronomy 8:9 Commentaries

Bible Hub