Deuteronomy 8:17
And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.
Original Language Analysis
כֹּחִי֙
My power
H3581
כֹּחִי֙
My power
Strong's:
H3581
Word #:
3 of 10
vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)
יָדִ֔י
of mine hand
H3027
יָדִ֔י
of mine hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
5 of 10
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
עָ֥שָׂה
hath gotten
H6213
עָ֥שָׂה
hath gotten
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
6 of 10
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 10
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
Deuteronomy 9:4Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the LORD thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying, For my righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD doth drive them out from before thee.1 Corinthians 4:7For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?Daniel 4:30The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?Deuteronomy 7:17If thou shalt say in thine heart, These nations are more than I; how can I dispossess them?Hosea 12:8And Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance: in all my labours they shall find none iniquity in me that were sin.Habakkuk 1:16Therefore they sacrifice unto their net, and burn incense unto their drag; because by them their portion is fat, and their meat plenteous.
Historical Context
This warning anticipated Israel's coming prosperity in Canaan, when military victories and agricultural abundance might tempt pride. Centuries later, Nebuchadnezzar exemplified this pride ('is not this great Babylon, that I have built,' Daniel 4:30), facing immediate judgment. Jesus' parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:16-21) similarly warns against pride in wealth earned without acknowledging God. Modern prosperity gospel theology inverts Scripture—making wealth the goal rather than recognizing its danger.
Questions for Reflection
- How can you maintain grateful stewardship perspective rather than proud ownership mentality toward material blessings?
- What specific successes or abilities tempt you toward pride rather than recognizing God's enabling grace?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The warning against pride—'And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth'—addresses the universal temptation to attribute success to personal ability rather than divine blessing. Taking credit for God's gifts reveals prideful forgetfulness. The antidote is remembering 'it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth' (verse 18)—even ability to produce wealth comes from God. Recognizing God's ownership of all prevents arrogance and promotes stewardship perspective.