Deuteronomy 8:12
Deuteronomy 8:12 in Multiple Translations
Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses in which to dwell,
Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein;
lest, when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein;
And when you have taken food and are full, and have made fair houses for yourselves and are living in them;
For when you eat and are full, when you build beautiful houses to live in,
Lest when thou hast eaten and filled thy selfe, and hast built goodly houses and dwelt therein,
lest thou eat, and hast been satisfied, and good houses dost build, and hast inhabited;
lest, when you have eaten and are full, and have built fine houses and lived in them;
Lest when thou hast eaten, and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt in them ;
Lest after thou hast eaten and art filled, hast built goodly houses, and dwelt in them,
When your stomachs are full every day, and when you have built good houses and are living in them,
Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 8:12
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Deuteronomy 8:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
פֶּן
תֹּאכַ֖ל
וְ/שָׂבָ֑עְתָּ
וּ/בָתִּ֥ים
טוֹבִ֛ים
תִּבְנֶ֖ה
וְ/יָשָֽׁבְתָּ
פֶּן
pên
H6435
lest
Conj
תֹּאכַ֖ל
ʼâkal
H398
to eat
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
וְ/שָׂבָ֑עְתָּ
sâbaʻ
H7646
to satisfy
Conj | V-Qal-2ms
וּ/בָתִּ֥ים
bayith
H1004
place
Conj | N-mp
טוֹבִ֛ים
ṭôwb
H2896
pleasant
Adj
תִּבְנֶ֖ה
bânâh
H1129
to build
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
וְ/יָשָֽׁבְתָּ
yâshab
H3427
to dwell
Conj | V-Qal-2ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Deuteronomy 8:12
פֶּן
pên
H6435
"lest"
Conj
This word is used to express caution or warning, similar to saying 'lest' or 'beware that'. It is often used in the Bible to advise against certain actions or to warn of potential consequences.
Definition: conj 1) lest, not, beware lest adv 2) lest
Usage: Occurs in 125 OT verses. KJV: (lest) (peradventure), that...not. See also: Genesis 3:3; Judges 14:15; Psalms 2:12.
תֹּאכַ֖ל
ʼâkal
H398
"to eat"
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
This word means to eat or devour, and it's used in many stories, including when Jesus fed the 5000 with fish and bread in the book of Matthew. It's about taking in nourishment and being satisfied.
Definition: 1) to eat, devour, burn up, feed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to eat (human subject) 1a2) to eat, devour (of beasts and birds) 1a3) to devour, consume (of fire) 1a4) to devour, slay (of sword) 1a5) to devour, consume, destroy (inanimate subjects - ie, pestilence, drought) 1a6) to devour (of oppression) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be eaten (by men) 1b2) to be devoured, consumed (of fire) 1b3) to be wasted, destroyed (of flesh) 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to cause to eat, feed with 1c2) to cause to devour 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to feed 1d2) to cause to eat 1e) (Piel) 1e1) consume Aramaic equivalent: a.khal (אֲכַל "to devour" H0399)
Usage: Occurs in 703 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. See also: Genesis 2:16; Leviticus 6:9; Numbers 24:8.
וְ/שָׂבָ֑עְתָּ
sâbaʻ
H7646
"to satisfy"
Conj | V-Qal-2ms
To satisfy means to fill someone with enough of something, like food or desire, and can also mean to have too much of something.
Definition: 1) to be satisfied, be sated, be fulfilled, be surfeited 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be sated (with food) 1a2) to be sated, be satisfied with, be fulfilled, be filled, have one's fill of (have desire satisfied) 1a3) to have in excess, be surfeited, be surfeited with 1a3a) to be weary of (fig) 1b) (Piel) to satisfy 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to satisfy 1c2) to enrich 1c3) to sate, glut (with the undesired)
Usage: Occurs in 93 OT verses. KJV: have enough, fill (full, self, with), be (to the) full (of), have plenty of, be satiate, satisfy (with), suffice, be weary of. See also: Exodus 16:8; Proverbs 12:11; Psalms 17:14.
וּ/בָתִּ֥ים
bayith
H1004
"place"
Conj | N-mp
The Hebrew word for house refers to a dwelling place, including a family home, temple, or even the human body. It appears in various contexts, such as the temple in Jerusalem or the household of a family. In the Bible, it is often used to describe a place of worship or a family's living space.
Definition: nm place, origin, between
Usage: Occurs in 1712 OT verses. KJV: court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). See also: Genesis 6:14; Exodus 8:5; Numbers 1:45.
טוֹבִ֛ים
ṭôwb
H2896
"pleasant"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means good or welfare, describing something that is beneficial or pleasing, like a good deed or a happy time. It is used in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms. This word is often translated as 'good' or 'beautiful'.
Definition: adj 1) good, pleasant, agreeable 1a) pleasant, agreeable (to the senses) 1b) pleasant (to the higher nature) 1c) good, excellent (of its kind) 1d) good, rich, valuable in estimation 1e) good, appropriate, becoming 1f) better (comparative) 1g) glad, happy, prosperous (of man's sensuous nature) 1h) good understanding (of man's intellectual nature) 1i) good, kind, benign 1j) good, right (ethical) Aramaic equivalent: tav (טָב "fine" H2869)
Usage: Occurs in 521 OT verses. KJV: beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, [idiom] fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, [idiom] most, pleasant, [phrase] pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well(-favoured). See also: Genesis 1:4; Ruth 2:22; 2 Chronicles 3:8.
תִּבְנֶ֖ה
bânâh
H1129
"to build"
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
The Hebrew word bânâh means to build something, like a house or a family. It can also mean to establish or repair something, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: 1) to build, rebuild, establish, cause to continue 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to build, rebuild 1a2) to build a house (ie, establish a family) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be built 1b2) to be rebuilt 1b3) established (of restored exiles) (fig.) 1b4) established (made permanent) 1b5) to be built up (of childless wife becoming the mother of a family through the children of a concubine) Aramaic equivalent: be.nah (בְּנָה "to build" H1124)
Usage: Occurs in 345 OT verses. KJV: (begin to) build(-er), obtain children, make, repair, set (up), [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 2:22; 1 Kings 8:48; 2 Chronicles 20:8.
וְ/יָשָֽׁבְתָּ
yâshab
H3427
"to dwell"
Conj | V-Qal-2ms
This verb means to sit or dwell, and can also mean to remain or abide. It's used in the Bible to describe people living in a place or staying with someone, like in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) to dwell, remain, sit, abide 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sit, sit down 1a2) to be set 1a3) to remain, stay 1a4) to dwell, have one's abode 1b) (Niphal) to be inhabited 1c) (Piel) to set, place 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to sit 1d2) to cause to abide, set 1d3) to cause to dwell 1d4) to cause (cities) to be inhabited 1d5) to marry (give an dwelling to) 1e) (Hophal) 1e1) to be inhabited 1e2) to make to dwell Aramaic equivalent: ye.tiv (יְתִב "to dwell" H3488)
Usage: Occurs in 977 OT verses. KJV: (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry. See also: Genesis 4:16; Leviticus 25:18; Joshua 13:6.
Study Notes — Deuteronomy 8:12
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Remember the LORD Your God
10When you eat and are satisfied, you are to bless the LORD your God for the good land that He has given you.
11Be careful not to forget the LORD your God by failing to keep His commandments and ordinances and statutes, which I am giving you this day.
12Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses in which to dwell,
13and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all that you have is multiplied, 14then your heart will become proud, and you will forget the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 30:9 | Otherwise, I may have too much and deny You, saying, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, profaning the name of my God. |
| 2 | Deuteronomy 28:47 | Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joy and gladness of heart in all your abundance, |
| 3 | Deuteronomy 32:15 | But Jeshurun grew fat and kicked— becoming fat, bloated, and gorged. He abandoned the God who made him and scorned the Rock of his salvation. |
| 4 | Hosea 13:5–6 | I knew you in the wilderness, in the land of drought. When they had pasture, they became satisfied; when they were satisfied, their hearts became proud, and as a result they forgot Me. |
| 5 | Jeremiah 22:14–15 | who says, ‘I will build myself a great palace, with spacious upper rooms.’ So he cuts windows in it, panels it with cedar, and paints it with vermilion. Does it make you a king to excel in cedar? Did not your father have food and drink? He administered justice and righteousness, and so it went well with him. |
| 6 | Haggai 1:4 | “Is it a time for you yourselves to live in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?” |
| 7 | Luke 17:28 | It was the same in the days of Lot: People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. |
| 8 | Deuteronomy 31:20 | When I have brought them into the land that I swore to give their fathers, a land flowing with milk and honey, they will eat their fill and prosper. Then they will turn to other gods and worship them, and they will reject Me and break My covenant. |
| 9 | Ecclesiastes 2:4 | I expanded my pursuits. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. |
| 10 | Amos 5:11 | Therefore, because you trample on the poor and exact from him a tax of grain, you will never live in the stone houses you have built; you will never drink the wine from the lush vineyards you have planted. |
Deuteronomy 8:12 Summary
This verse is warning us that when we have all we need and are comfortable, we might start to forget about God and the blessings He has given us. It's like when we have a big meal and are full, we might not think about the person who cooked it for us. God wants us to remember Him and thank Him for all He has done for us, as seen in Deuteronomy 8:10 and Psalm 107:1. We need to be careful not to get too focused on our own comfort and forget about God's love and provision in our lives, and instead cultivate a heart of gratitude and remembrance, as encouraged in 1 Thessalonians 5:18.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main concern of this verse?
The main concern is that when we have all our physical needs met, we might forget God's provision and blessings, as seen in Deuteronomy 8:10-11, where God commands the people to bless Him for the good land He has given them.
How does this verse relate to the concept of gratitude?
This verse highlights the importance of gratitude, as expressed in Deuteronomy 8:10, where the people are commanded to bless God for His provision, and in Psalm 100:4-5, which encourages us to enter God's gates with thanksgiving and praise.
What is the significance of 'fine houses' in this verse?
The 'fine houses' represent the physical comforts and blessings that God provides, as mentioned in Deuteronomy 8:12, and serve as a reminder to acknowledge and thank God for these blessings, as seen in Proverbs 24:3-4, which notes that a house is built by wisdom.
How can we apply this verse to our daily lives?
We can apply this verse by regularly reflecting on God's blessings and provision in our lives, as encouraged in Deuteronomy 8:2 and 1 Thessalonians 5:18, and making a conscious effort to thank and praise Him for these blessings.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I have experienced God's provision and blessings in my life, and how can I express gratitude for these blessings?
- How can I balance the enjoyment of God's physical blessings with a deepening of my spiritual life and relationship with Him?
- In what ways might I be in danger of forgetting God's role in my life, and how can I guard against this?
- What are some practical ways that I can cultivate a heart of gratitude and remembrance of God's blessings, as encouraged in Deuteronomy 8:12 and Psalm 103:2?
Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 8:12
Lest when thou hast eaten and art full,.... Not only once and again, but continually, day after day, being indulged with great plenty: and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt [therein]; who for forty
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 8:12
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: Beware that thou forget not the Lord.
Trapp's Commentary on Deuteronomy 8:12
Deuteronomy 8:12 Lest [when] thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt [therein];Ver. 12. And hast built goodly houses.] Haec sunt quae nos invitos faciunt mori. These are the things that make us loath to die, said the Emperor Charles V, to the Duke of Venice, who had showed him the stateliness of his palace and princely furniture.
Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 8:12
(12) Hast built goodly houses.—One of the conditions prescribed by Jonadab the son of Rechab to his family was, “All your days ye shall dwell in tents; that ye may live many days in the land where ye be strangers” (Jeremiah 35:7).
Sermons on Deuteronomy 8:12
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Jeremiah 22 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith addresses God's complaints against the leaders and prophets in Jeremiah 22, emphasizing how the kings have exploited their positions for personal gain, leading to spiri |
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Relying and Depending on God Alone by K.P. Yohannan | K.P. Yohannan emphasizes the necessity of relying solely on God for our needs and the dangers of self-dependence, which can lead to disaster. He illustrates that true accomplishmen |
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(Basics) 17. Dead Works by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the importance of being a cheerful giver in the eyes of God. He references 2 Corinthians 9:7, which states that God loves a cheerful giver. T |
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Desiring God - Lesson 3 by John Piper | In this sermon, Pastor John Piper discusses the concept of Christian hedonism, which is the belief that our highest duty is to pursue delight in God. He argues that there are bibli |
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An Ambition to Please God by Zac Poonen | This sermon emphasizes the importance of having an ambition as Christians, focusing on pleasing God whether in heaven or on earth. It highlights the need to prioritize pleasing God |
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A Time for Everything by Keith Daniel | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the destructive power of one sentence spoken by a carnal Christian. He warns against being a tail bearer or gossip, as revealing secrets can |
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Feel by John Piper | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of prioritizing emotions and affections in the pursuit of maximum joy in God. He acknowledges that he may not have suffered as |