Deuteronomy 6:12
Then beware lest thou forget the LORD, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.
Original Language Analysis
הִשָּׁ֣מֶר
Then beware
H8104
הִשָּׁ֣מֶר
Then beware
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
1 of 12
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
פֶּן
H6435
פֶּן
Strong's:
H6435
Word #:
3 of 12
properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest
תִּשְׁכַּ֖ח
lest thou forget
H7911
תִּשְׁכַּ֖ח
lest thou forget
Strong's:
H7911
Word #:
4 of 12
to mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוָ֑ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 12
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֲשֶׁ֧ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֧ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 12
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הוֹצִֽיאֲךָ֛
which brought thee forth
H3318
הוֹצִֽיאֲךָ֛
which brought thee forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
8 of 12
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
Historical Context
Israel's history tragically validated this warning. During prosperous periods under Solomon, Israel adopted pagan practices (1 Kings 11:1-8). The northern kingdom's wealth under Jeroboam II coincided with injustice and idolatry (Amos 6:1-7). Judah similarly forgot God during affluent times, provoking prophetic condemnation (Hosea 13:6, Jeremiah 2:31-32). Conversely, wilderness and exile hardships often produced repentance and renewed dependence on God. Prosperity proves more spiritually dangerous than adversity.
Questions for Reflection
- How does prosperity tempt believers to forget God and credit themselves for blessings He provided?
- What spiritual disciplines help maintain awareness of redemption and dependence on God during seasons of material blessing?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The urgent warning 'Beware lest thou forget the LORD' addresses prosperity's spiritual danger. The Hebrew 'shamar pen' (beware/watch lest) indicates vigilant caution. The reminder 'which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage' grounds covenant obedience in redemptive history. Forgetting God manifests practically through ingratitude, self-reliance, and idolatry. Affluence breeds forgetfulness more readily than affliction. This verse illustrates the Reformed understanding that even believers require constant exhortation to remember grace. Memory of redemption sustains faithfulness; amnesia produces apostasy.