Deuteronomy 8:2

Authorized King James Version

And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְזָֽכַרְתָּ֣
H2142
And thou shalt remember
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
#2
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#3
כָּל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#4
הַדֶּ֗רֶךְ
H1870
all the way
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
#5
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#6
הוֹלִֽיכְךָ֜
H1980
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#7
יְהוָ֧ה
H3068
which the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#8
אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָ
H430
thy God
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
#9
זֶ֛ה
H2088
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#10
אַרְבָּעִ֥ים
H705
thee these forty
forty
#11
שָׁנָ֖ה
H8141
years
a year (as a revolution of time)
#12
בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר
H4057
in the wilderness
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
#13
לְמַ֨עַן
H4616
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
#14
עַנֹּֽתְךָ֜
H6031
to humble
to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows)
#15
לְנַסֹּֽתְךָ֗
H5254
thee and to prove
to test; by implication, to attempt
#16
לָדַ֜עַת
H3045
thee to know
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
#17
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#18
אֲשֶׁ֧ר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#19
בִּֽלְבָבְךָ֛
H3824
what was in thine heart
the heart (as the most interior organ)
#20
הֲתִשְׁמֹ֥ר
H8104
whether thou wouldest keep
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
#21
מִצְוֹתָ֖ו
H4687
his commandments
a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)
#22
אִם
H518
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#23
לֹֽא׃
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

Analysis

Within the broader context of Deuteronomy, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Deuteronomy.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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