Deuteronomy 8:3

Authorized King James Version

And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַֽיְעַנְּךָ֮

H6031

And he humbled

to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows)

וַיַּרְעִבֶךָ֒

H7456

thee and suffered thee to hunger

to hunger

וַיַּאֲכִֽלְךָ֤

H398

and fed

to eat (literally or figuratively)

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַמָּן֙

H4478

thee with manna

literally a whatness (so to speak), i.e., manna (so called from the question about it)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לֹֽא

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

הוֹדִֽיעֲךָ֗

H3045

know

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

וְלֹ֥א

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#10

הוֹדִֽיעֲךָ֗

H3045

know

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

#11

אֲבֹתֶ֑יךָ

not neither did thy fathers

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

#12

לְמַ֣עַן

H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

#13

הוֹדִֽיעֲךָ֗

H3045

know

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

#14

כִּ֠י

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#15

לֹ֣א

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#16

עַל

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

#17

הַלֶּ֤חֶם

H3899

by bread

food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

#18

לְבַדּוֹ֙

H905

only

properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit

#19

יִֽחְיֶ֥ה

H2421

doth not live

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

#20

הָֽאָדָֽם׃

H120

doth man

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

#21

כִּ֛י

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#22

עַל

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

#23

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#24

מוֹצָ֥א

H4161

but by every word that proceedeth

a going forth, i.e., (the act) an egress, or (the place) an exit; hence, a source or product; specifically, dawn, the rising of the sun (the east), ex

#25

פִֽי

H6310

out of the mouth

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

#26

יְהוָ֖ה

H3068

of the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#27

יִֽחְיֶ֥ה

H2421

doth not live

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

#28

הָֽאָדָֽם׃

H120

doth man

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

Cross References

Related verses that illuminate this passage (hover to preview):

¹ Matthew 4:4 Matthew 4:4
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
— Man shall not live by bread alone
² Luke 4:4 Luke 4:4
And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
— By every word of God

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

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

What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine sovereignty address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
How does this verse's literary context within Deuteronomy chapter 8 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?

Related Resources

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Deuteronomy 8:3

Cross References

Analysis

Historical Context

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Study Resources