Deuteronomy Chapter 8 · Verse 10

Authorized King James Version

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When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee.

Original Language Analysis

וְאָֽכַלְתָּ֖ When thou hast eaten H398
וְאָֽכַלְתָּ֖ When thou hast eaten
Strong's: H398
Word #: 1 of 12
to eat (literally or figuratively)
וְשָׂבָ֑עְתָּ and art full H7646
וְשָׂבָ֑עְתָּ and art full
Strong's: H7646
Word #: 2 of 12
to sate, i.e., fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively)
וּבֵֽרַכְתָּ֙ then thou shalt bless H1288
וּבֵֽרַכְתָּ֙ then thou shalt bless
Strong's: H1288
Word #: 3 of 12
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
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 4 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוָ֣ה the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֣ה the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 5 of 12
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ thy God H430
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ thy God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 6 of 12
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
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 7 of 12
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הָאָ֥רֶץ land H776
הָאָ֥רֶץ land
Strong's: H776
Word #: 8 of 12
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
הַטֹּבָ֖ה for the good H2896
הַטֹּבָ֖ה for the good
Strong's: H2896
Word #: 9 of 12
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
אֲשֶׁ֥ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 10 of 12
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נָֽתַן which he hath given H5414
נָֽתַן which he hath given
Strong's: H5414
Word #: 11 of 12
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
לָֽךְ׃ H0
לָֽךְ׃
Strong's: H0
Word #: 12 of 12

Analysis & Commentary

The command to 'bless the LORD' after eating acknowledges God as provider. The Hebrew berakhta (bless) means to praise, thank, and acknowledge. This instituted the practice of saying grace—thanking God for food. The timing 'when thou hast eaten and art full' is crucial: gratitude must follow satisfaction, not just accompany want. It's easy to pray in hunger; blessing God in fullness requires discipline and remembrance. The phrase 'the good land which he hath given thee' attributes the land and its produce to God's gift, not human effort. This combats the pride addressed in verses 11-18: thinking 'my power... hath gotten me this wealth.' Thanksgiving is the antidote to pride.

Historical Context

This command established the Jewish practice of Birkat Hamazon (Grace After Meals), still observed today. Jesus followed this practice (blessing bread at the Last Supper, giving thanks before feeding multitudes). The Pharisees' elaborate thanksgiving rituals sometimes obscured the heart attitude commanded here. The New Testament calls believers to thankfulness in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18; Colossians 3:17). Paul models this by giving thanks before meals (Acts 27:35). The practice trains the heart to recognize God's hand in daily provision.

Questions for Reflection