Deuteronomy 8 18

Deuteronomy 8:18 kjv

But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.

Deuteronomy 8:18 nkjv

"And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

Deuteronomy 8:18 niv

But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.

Deuteronomy 8:18 esv

You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

Deuteronomy 8:18 nlt

Remember the LORD your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.

Deuteronomy 8 verses

Deuteronomy 8 18 Meaning

Deuteronomy 8:18 serves as a pivotal reminder to the people of Israel that their prosperity and ability to gain wealth are not solely the result of their own strength, wisdom, or efforts. Instead, it explicitly states that the ability to acquire substance and success is divinely granted by the Lord their God. This divine provision is not random but purposeful: it is God's means of confirming and establishing the covenant He made with their forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Therefore, the verse fundamentally attributes all material success and the inherent power to achieve it, to God's sovereign will and covenant faithfulness, contrasting this with human self-reliance or attributing success to pagan deities.

Deuteronomy 8 18 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 8 is a crucial part of Moses' farewell addresses to the Israelites as they stand on the threshold of the Promised Land. The chapter warns them of the dangers associated with their impending prosperity. Moses reminds them of their forty-year wilderness journey, a period during which God humbled, tested, and sustained them with manna, teaching them dependence on Him rather than bread alone (Deut 8:2-3). The purpose of this past wilderness experience, and the subsequent warning, is to prevent them from becoming self-sufficient and prideful upon entering a land of abundance. The verse 8:18 directly confronts the temptation, explicitly stated in the preceding verse 8:17, to say, "My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth." It serves as a strong polemic against the prevailing Canaanite fertility cults, which attributed agricultural prosperity to false gods like Baal. Moses reiterates that their wealth and success in the new land will be a direct fulfillment of God's covenant with their ancestors, reinforcing the theological truth that all blessings flow from the Creator, not human effort or pagan deities.

Deuteronomy 8 18 Word analysis

• thou shalt remember the Lord thy God:
  • remember (zakar, זָכַר): More than mere mental recollection; it signifies actively recalling, giving heed to, acting upon, and faithfully worshipping. It implies an ongoing, covenantal relationship, not just an intellectual acknowledgment. It’s the opposite of forgetting God through pride or idolatry.
  • Lord thy God (YHWH Elohim, יהוה אֱלֹהִים): Emphasizes God's covenant name (YHWH) revealing His personal, relational faithfulness to Israel, combined with His majestic, sovereign power as Creator and Judge (Elohim). This combined name underscores both His relationship with Israel and His supreme authority over all creation, including sources of wealth.
• for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth:
  • giveth (nathan, נָתַן): Highlights divine initiative and generosity. God is the active bestower, not a passive observer.
  • power (koach, כֹּחַ): This is crucial. It refers not just to physical strength but also to inherent ability, skill, capacity, opportunity, wisdom, and the means or resources needed to produce or acquire. It encompasses natural talents, learned skills, intelligence, physical health, access to markets, and opportune circumstances – all of which God provides.
  • to get wealth (la'asot chayil, לַעֲשׂוֹת חַיִל):
    • get (asah, עָשָׂה): To make, to do, to acquire.
    • wealth (chayil, חַיִל): This term is multifaceted. While often translated "wealth" or "riches," chayil encompasses more broadly "strength," "might," "virtue," "valor," "substance," "competence," or "success." It refers to material prosperity but also to the strength of character, health, and ability to thrive. It can describe a "man of valor" (Josh 1:14), "virtuous woman" (Prov 31:10), or "great wealth" (Gen 34:29). Here, it implies holistic well-being and success in all undertakings, all originating from God.
• that he may establish his covenant:
  • establish (qum, קוּם): To make stand, confirm, uphold, raise up. It implies a firm, secure, and enduring confirmation. God uses Israel's prosperity as tangible proof and fulfillment of His promises, validating His word through concrete blessings.
  • his covenant (berith, בְּרִית): The solemn, binding pact God made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Gen 12, 15, 17), promising land, descendants, and blessing through them to all nations. The acquisition of wealth and prosperity in the land is directly linked as a visible sign of this covenant faithfulness. It's not wealth for its own sake, but wealth for God's covenant purposes.
• which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day:
  • sware (shava`, שָׁבַע): Emphasizes the solemnity and unbreakable nature of God's oath, demonstrating His unwavering commitment.
  • thy fathers (avoth, אָבוֹת): Specifically referring to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the patriarchs through whom the foundational promises of the covenant were made.
  • as it is this day: Confirms that God's faithfulness is presently active and demonstrable. What was promised long ago is now coming to pass, tangible proof of His living and working power among them.

Deuteronomy 8 18 Bonus section

The teaching of Deuteronomy 8:18 subtly challenges modern secular views of success, which often attribute achievement solely to individual merit, talent, or luck, overlooking any divine hand. This verse asserts a theological economy where all forms of capital – physical, intellectual, social, and financial – originate from the sovereign God. For believers, this understanding calls for profound humility in prosperity, active gratitude, and faithful stewardship. It implies that true "wealth" (chayil) is holistic and interconnected with a right relationship with God and obedience to His covenant. Conversely, it cautions against the dangers of "prosperity gospel" deviations which might interpret divine provision as solely a right or guarantee of material riches, disconnecting it from God's overarching covenant purpose and His testing process (as seen in the preceding verses of Deut 8). Instead, prosperity is a means by which God demonstrates His faithfulness and enables His people to carry out their divine commission, whether that's supporting ministry, caring for the needy, or living as a testimony in the world.

Deuteronomy 8 18 Commentary

Deuteronomy 8:18 acts as a profound theological safeguard against human pride and self-sufficiency, particularly in times of abundance. Moses insists that any success Israel experiences in the Promised Land – whether in agriculture, livestock, or resources – is neither accidental nor solely the fruit of their labor. The "power to get wealth" (abilities, opportunities, skills, health) is explicitly attributed to God. This truth profoundly reshapes their understanding of prosperity: it's not a badge of their cleverness or strength, but a testament to God's enduring covenant faithfulness. The purpose of this divinely given capacity for wealth is not merely self-enrichment, but the "establishing of His covenant." God grants resources so His people can fulfill their role in His greater plan, a plan rooted in His ancient promises to Abraham. This teaches stewardship: recognizing that everything is from God implies responsibility to use His blessings in ways that honor Him and advance His purposes, rather than yielding to materialism or forgetting the true Source. It is a direct antidote to the pagan idea that other gods (like Baal) or human ingenuity bring prosperity.Examples for practical usage:

• A farmer's good harvest is due to God's provision of rain and soil, not solely the farmer's toil.
• A successful entrepreneur's acumen and opportune market are gifts from God, to be used for His glory and service, not solely for personal gain.
• A person with a high-paying job recognizes the strength, education, and opportunities as God-given capacities, prompting generosity and thanksgiving.