Deuteronomy 8:4
Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years.
Original Language Analysis
לֹ֤א
H3808
לֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
2 of 10
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
בָֽלְתָה֙
waxed not old
H1086
בָֽלְתָה֙
waxed not old
Strong's:
H1086
Word #:
3 of 10
to fail; by implication to wear out, decay (causatively, consume, spend)
מֵֽעָלֶ֔יךָ
H5921
מֵֽעָלֶ֔יךָ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
4 of 10
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְרַגְלְךָ֖
upon thee neither did thy foot
H7272
וְרַגְלְךָ֖
upon thee neither did thy foot
Strong's:
H7272
Word #:
5 of 10
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 10
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Nehemiah 9:21Yea, forty years didst thou sustain them in the wilderness, so that they lacked nothing; their clothes waxed not old, and their feet swelled not.Deuteronomy 29:5And I have led you forty years in the wilderness: your clothes are not waxen old upon you, and thy shoe is not waxen old upon thy foot.
Historical Context
The forty-year wilderness period (1446-1406 BC traditional dating) required constant travel over harsh terrain. Normal wear would have destroyed clothing and caused severe foot problems (blisters, calluses, swelling) from continuous walking over rocks and sand. The lack of resources to replace clothing or make new sandals would have created genuine hardship. God's preservation of these basics demonstrated His faithfulness in small, daily matters, not just dramatic crises. This prepared Israel to trust God's provision in Canaan's settled life.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'small' provisions from God do you overlook while focusing on spectacular blessings?
- How does recognizing God's care in ordinary needs build trust for extraordinary challenges?
- In what ways can you cultivate gratitude for mundane blessings as much as dramatic answers to prayer?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The miraculous preservation of clothing and protection of feet demonstrates God's comprehensive care extending to ordinary physical needs. The Hebrew balah (waxed old/wore out) normally describes inevitable decay, but God suspended natural deterioration. Forty years without new clothing or swollen feet from constant travel is supernatural provision. This detail emphasizes that God's care encompasses both spectacular (manna from heaven) and mundane (preserved sandals) needs. The principle is Matthew 6:25-33—the same God who feeds birds and clothes flowers will provide for His children. This ordinary miracle teaches that all provision, whether spectacular or subtle, flows from God's hand.