Deuteronomy 28:8
The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָ֥ה
The LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֥ה
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אִתְּךָ֙
H854
אִתְּךָ֙
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
3 of 16
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בַּֽאֲסָמֶ֕יךָ
upon thee in thy storehouses
H618
בַּֽאֲסָמֶ֕יךָ
upon thee in thy storehouses
Strong's:
H618
Word #:
6 of 16
a storehouse (only in the plural)
וּבְכֹ֖ל
H3605
וּבְכֹ֖ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
7 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מִשְׁלַ֣ח
and in all that thou settest
H4916
מִשְׁלַ֣ח
and in all that thou settest
Strong's:
H4916
Word #:
8 of 16
a sending out, i.e., (abstractly) presentation (favorable), or seizure (unfavorable); also (concretely) a place of dismissal, or a business to be disc
יָדֶ֑ךָ
thine hand
H3027
יָדֶ֑ךָ
thine hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
9 of 16
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
וּבֵ֣רַכְךָ֔
unto and he shall bless
H1288
וּבֵ֣רַכְךָ֔
unto and he shall bless
Strong's:
H1288
Word #:
10 of 16
to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as
בָּאָ֕רֶץ
thee in the land
H776
בָּאָ֕רֶץ
thee in the land
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
11 of 16
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָ֥ה
The LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֥ה
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
13 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
14 of 16
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
Cross References
Deuteronomy 15:10Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto.Leviticus 26:10And ye shall eat old store, and bring forth the old because of the new.Psalms 133:3As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.Matthew 6:26Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?Luke 12:18And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.Psalms 42:8Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.Leviticus 25:21Then I will command my blessing upon you in the sixth year, and it shall bring forth fruit for three years.Psalms 144:13That our garners may be full, affording all manner of store: that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets:2 Kings 6:27And he said, If the LORD do not help thee, whence shall I help thee? out of the barnfloor, or out of the winepress?Haggai 2:19Is the seed yet in the barn? yea, as yet the vine, and the fig tree, and the pomegranate, and the olive tree, hath not brought forth: from this day will I bless you.
Historical Context
Storehouses held grain, oil, wine, and dried fruit - the accumulated wealth of agricultural society. Blessing on storage meant abundance remained intact rather than being lost to decay, vermin, or theft.
The comprehensiveness (all you set your hand to) demonstrated that covenant relationship affected every aspect of life and work.
Questions for Reflection
- What does God commanding blessing teach about His sovereignty in bestowing favor?
- How does blessing on both production and preservation demonstrate comprehensive provision?
- Why is blessing not limited to religious activities but extends to all lawful work?
- What is the difference between common grace and covenant blessing?
- How should covenant blessing on all endeavors shape our view of vocation?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. God actively commands blessing - not passive permission but divine decree that prosperity shall attend the obedient. This emphasizes God's sovereignty in bestowing favor.
Blessing on storehouses ensures preservation of harvested abundance. It's not enough merely to produce; the produce must be preserved from spoilage, theft, and pests. God's comprehensive blessing covers both production and preservation.
The phrase all that thou settest thine hand unto extends blessing to every endeavor. Whatever lawful work the covenant-faithful undertake receives divine favor. This isn't limited to religious activities but encompasses all vocational pursuits.
Reformed theology affirms common grace whereby God blesses human endeavor generally, but covenant blessing involves special favor on those in relationship with Him through faith.