Deuteronomy 8:17
Deuteronomy 8:17 in Multiple Translations
You might say in your heart, “The power and strength of my hands have made this wealth for me.”
And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.
and lest thou say in thy heart, My power and the might of my hand hath gotten me this wealth.
Say not then, in your hearts, My power and the strength of my hands have got me this wealth.
You might think to yourselves, “I became rich through all my hard work.”
Beware least thou say in thine heart, My power, and the strength of mine owne hand hath prepared me this abundance.
and thou hast said in thy heart, My power, and the might of my hand, hath made for me this wealth:
and lest you say in your heart, “My power and the might of my hand has gotten me this wealth.”
And thou shalt say in thy heart, My power and the might of my hand hath gotten me this wealth.
Lest thou shouldst say in thy heart: My own might, and the strength of my own hand have achieved all these things for me.
Be sure that you do not think to yourselves, ‘I have acquired all these things by my own power [MTY] and ability.’
Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 8:17
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 8:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/אָמַרְתָּ֖
בִּ/לְבָבֶ֑/ךָ
כֹּחִ/י֙
וְ/עֹ֣צֶם
יָדִ֔/י
עָ֥שָׂה
לִ֖/י
אֶת
הַ/חַ֥יִל
הַ/זֶּֽה
וְ/אָמַרְתָּ֖
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-2ms
בִּ/לְבָבֶ֑/ךָ
lêbâb
H3824
heart
Prep | N-ms | Suff
כֹּחִ/י֙
kôach
H3581
reptile
N-ms | Suff
וְ/עֹ֣צֶם
ʻôtsem
H6108
strength
Conj | N-ms
יָדִ֔/י
yâd
H3027
hand
N-cs | Suff
עָ֥שָׂה
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
לִ֖/י
Prep | Suff
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
הַ/חַ֥יִל
chayil
H2428
Helech
Art | N-ms
הַ/זֶּֽה
zeh
H2088
this
Art | Pron
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Deuteronomy 8:17
וְ/אָמַרְתָּ֖
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-2ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
בִּ/לְבָבֶ֑/ךָ
lêbâb
H3824
"heart"
Prep | N-ms | Suff
The heart is the innermost part of a person, including their mind, will, and emotions. In the book of Psalms, David talks about his heart being heavy with sorrow, while in the book of Proverbs, it discusses the importance of guarding one's heart.
Definition: 1) inner man, mind, will, heart, soul, understanding 1a) inner part, midst 1a1) midst (of things) 1a2) heart (of man) 1a3) soul, heart (of man) 1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory 1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will) 1a6) conscience 1a7) heart (of moral character) 1a8) as seat of appetites 1a9) as seat of emotions and passions 1a10) as seat of courage Aramaic equivalent: le.vav (לְבַב "heart" H3825)
Usage: Occurs in 230 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] bethink themselves, breast, comfortably, courage, ((faint), (tender-) heart(-ed), midst, mind, [idiom] unawares, understanding. See also: Genesis 20:5; 1 Chronicles 17:2; Psalms 4:5.
כֹּחִ/י֙
kôach
H3581
"reptile"
N-ms | Suff
Koach means strength or power, referring to human, angelic, or God's might. It can also describe the strength of animals or the produce of soil.
Definition: 1) a small reptile, probably a kind of lizard, which is unclean 1a) perhaps an extinct animal, exact meaning is unknown
Usage: Occurs in 121 OT verses. KJV: ability, able, chameleon, force, fruits, might, power(-ful), strength, substance, wealth. See also: Genesis 4:12; Job 36:5; Psalms 22:16.
וְ/עֹ֣צֶם
ʻôtsem
H6108
"strength"
Conj | N-ms
This Hebrew word means strength or power, and can also refer to the body or bones, as in the might of a person. It appears in the Bible to describe someone's physical strength. In the KJV, it is translated as might, strong, or substance.
Definition: 1) power, bones, might 1a) might 1b) bones
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: might, strong, substance. See also: Deuteronomy 8:17; Job 30:21; Psalms 139:15.
יָדִ֔/י
yâd
H3027
"hand"
N-cs | Suff
In the Bible, 'yad' refers to an open hand, symbolizing power or direction. It can also mean strength or a part of something, like a side or a share. The word is used in many contexts, including anatomy and everyday life.
Definition: : hand/arm[anatomy] 1) hand 1a) hand (of man) 1b) strength, power (fig.) 1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.) 1d) (various special, technical senses) 1d1) sign, monument 1d2) part, fractional part, share 1d3) time, repetition 1d4) axle-trees, axle 1d5) stays, support (for laver) 1d6) tenons (in tabernacle) 1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure) 1d8) wrists
Usage: Occurs in 1446 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves. See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 7:19; Leviticus 14:22.
עָ֥שָׂה
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
לִ֖/י
""
Prep | Suff
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
הַ/חַ֥יִל
chayil
H2428
"Helech"
Art | N-ms
This word represents strength, might, or power, whether physical, financial, or military. In the Bible, it's used to describe the strength of God or the wealth of a nation, as seen in Deuteronomy 8:17-18.
Definition: § Helech = "your army" a place near Arvad and Gammad
Usage: Occurs in 221 OT verses. KJV: able, activity, ([phrase]) army, band of men (soldiers), company, (great) forces, goods, host, might, power, riches, strength, strong, substance, train, ([phrase]) valiant(-ly), valour, virtuous(-ly), war, worthy(-ily). See also: Genesis 34:29; 2 Chronicles 13:3; Psalms 18:33.
הַ/זֶּֽה
zeh
H2088
"this"
Art | Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning this or that, used to point out a specific person or thing. It appears in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms, to indicate something specific. The KJV translates it as he, here, or it.
Definition: 1) this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, another, such 1a) (alone) 1a1) this one 1a2) this...that, the one...the other, another 1b) (appos to subst) 1b1) this 1c) (as predicate) 1c1) this, such 1d) (enclitically) 1d1) then 1d2) who, whom 1d3) how now, what now 1d4) what now 1d5) wherefore now 1d6) behold here 1d7) just now 1d8) now, now already 1e) (poetry) 1e1) wherein, which, those who 1f) (with prefixes) 1f1) in this (place) here, then 1f2) on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter 1f3) thus and thus 1f4) as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus 1f5) from here, hence, on one side...on the other side 1f6) on this account 1f7) in spite of this, which, whence, how
Usage: Occurs in 1061 OT verses. KJV: he, [idiom] hence, [idiom] here, it(-self), [idiom] now, [idiom] of him, the one...the other, [idiom] than the other, ([idiom] out of) the (self) same, such (a one) that, these, this (hath, man), on this side...on that side, [idiom] thus, very, which. Compare H2063 (זֹאת), H2090 (זֹה), H2097 (זוֹ), H2098 (זוּ). See also: Genesis 5:1; Exodus 10:17; Numbers 14:16.
Study Notes — Deuteronomy 8:17
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Remember the LORD Your God
15He led you through the vast and terrifying wilderness with its venomous snakes and scorpions, a thirsty and waterless land. He brought you water from the rock of flint.
16He fed you in the wilderness with manna that your fathers had not known, in order to humble you and test you, so that in the end He might cause you to prosper.
17You might say in your heart, “The power and strength of my hands have made this wealth for me.”
18But remember that it is the LORD your God who gives you the power to gain wealth, in order to confirm His covenant that He swore to your fathers even to this day. 19If you ever forget the LORD your God and go after other gods to worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely perish.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deuteronomy 9:4 | When the LORD your God has driven them out before you, do not say in your heart, “Because of my righteousness the LORD has brought me in to possess this land.” Rather, the LORD is driving out these nations before you because of their wickedness. |
| 2 | 1 Corinthians 4:7 | For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? |
| 3 | Daniel 4:30 | the king exclaimed, “Is this not Babylon the Great, which I myself have built by the might of my power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?” |
| 4 | Isaiah 10:8–14 | “Are not all my commanders kings?” he says. “Is not Calno like Carchemish? Is not Hamath like Arpad? Is not Samaria like Damascus? As my hand seized the idolatrous kingdoms whose images surpassed those of Jerusalem and Samaria, and as I have done to Samaria and its idols, will I not also do to Jerusalem and her idols?” So when the Lord has completed all His work against Mount Zion and Jerusalem, He will say, “I will punish the king of Assyria for the fruit of his arrogant heart and the proud look in his eyes. For he says: ‘By the strength of my hand I have done this, and by my wisdom, for I am clever. I have removed the boundaries of nations and plundered their treasures; like a mighty one I subdued their rulers. My hand reached as into a nest to seize the wealth of the nations. Like one gathering abandoned eggs, I gathered all the earth. No wing fluttered, no beak opened or chirped.’” |
| 5 | Hosea 12:8 | And Ephraim boasts: “How rich I have become! I have found wealth for myself. In all my labors, they can find in me no iniquity that is sinful.” |
| 6 | Deuteronomy 7:17 | You may say in your heart, “These nations are greater than we are; how can we drive them out?” |
| 7 | Habakkuk 1:16 | Therefore he sacrifices to his dragnet and burns incense to his fishing net, for by these things his portion is sumptuous and his food is rich. |
Deuteronomy 8:17 Summary
Deuteronomy 8:17 warns us against taking credit for our own successes and wealth, and instead encourages us to recognize God's hand in our lives. This is because God is the one who gives us the power to gain wealth, as stated in Deuteronomy 8:18. When we acknowledge God's provision, we are able to maintain a humble and grateful heart, and avoid the dangers of idolatry and self-reliance (as seen in Deuteronomy 8:19 and 1 Corinthians 4:7). By recognizing God's role in our prosperity, we can cultivate a deeper trust in His goodness and provision, as encouraged in Psalm 37:3-7.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main concern of Deuteronomy 8:17?
The main concern of Deuteronomy 8:17 is the tendency to attribute one's success and wealth to one's own abilities, rather than acknowledging God's provision, as seen in Deuteronomy 8:18 and Psalm 75:6-7.
Why is it important to recognize God's role in our prosperity?
Recognizing God's role in our prosperity helps us to maintain a humble and grateful heart, and to avoid the dangers of idolatry and self-reliance, as warned against in Deuteronomy 8:19 and 1 Corinthians 4:7.
How can we apply the lesson of Deuteronomy 8:17 to our own lives?
We can apply the lesson of Deuteronomy 8:17 by regularly reflecting on our blessings and acknowledging God's hand in our lives, as encouraged in Psalm 107:1 and 1 Thessalonians 5:18.
What is the relationship between Deuteronomy 8:17 and the covenant with God's people?
Deuteronomy 8:17 is connected to the covenant with God's people, as God's provision and blessing are seen as a confirmation of His covenant promises, as stated in Deuteronomy 8:18 and Genesis 17:1-8.
Reflection Questions
- In what ways do I tend to take credit for my own successes, and how can I shift my focus to acknowledging God's provision?
- How can I cultivate a heart of humility and gratitude, recognizing that my blessings come from God's hand?
- What are some ways that I can practically express my gratitude to God for His provision in my life?
- In what ways might I be tempted to trust in my own strength and abilities, rather than relying on God's power and guidance?
Gill's Exposition on 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
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 8:17
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 8:17
Deuteronomy 8:17 And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of [mine] hand hath gotten me this wealth.Ver. 17. My power.] As that great dragon of Egypt, lying at ease in the swollen waters of his Nile, saith, "My river is mine own, and I have made it for myself."
Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 8:17
17. thou say in thine heart] That is not only as if convinced; but, whether or not thou sayest this expressly with thy lips, thou feelest and practically behavest as if thine own power and might had gotten thee this wealth.
Sermons on Deuteronomy 8:17
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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The Fear of God - Part 4 by Jerry Bridges | In this sermon, the speaker begins with a far-fetched illustration of a Christian leader who contemplates going to a topless dancer performance to "experience all of life." However |
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Ravi-Pride by Compilations | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the changing nature of ministry and the mindset of today's ministers. He contrasts the dedication and sacrifice of historical figures like H |
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Ten Indictments Against the Modern Church by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the need for revival and awakening in the church. He cautions against expecting the Holy Spirit to clean up the mess without taking responsib |
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Humility by C.H. Spurgeon | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of humility in our daily lives. He uses a picture as an analogy to illustrate how our perception of ourselves can change when |
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(The Foundation and the Building) Five Danger a Christian Worker Faces by Zac Poonen | In this video, Zach Poonen shares his concern about the inaccurate portrayal of Jesus Christ by many Christian workers, pastors, and churches. He emphasizes the importance of accur |
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God Chooses and Uses Nobodies by Zac Poonen | This sermon emphasizes the importance of being poor in spirit, recognizing that all blessings and abilities come from God. It warns against the dangers of spiritual pride and the n |
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Unity of the Spirit - by the Bond of Peace by Alan Martin | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of unity among Christians. He warns against engaging in arguments and disputes over words, as it only leads to division and ha |