Deuteronomy 6:10
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Deuteronomy 6:10
10 And it shall be, when the LORD thy God shall have brought thee into the land which he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not,
Chapter Context
Deuteronomy 6 is a sermonic and legal chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of faith, covenant, judgment. Written during the end of the wilderness wandering (c. 1406 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Moses delivered these speeches as Israel prepared to enter a land filled with different Canaanite city-states.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-25: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it provides guidance for worship and spiritual devotion. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Deuteronomy and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Deuteronomy 6:10
10 And it shall be, when the LORD thy God shall have brought thee into the land which he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not,
Analysis
Moses warns against forgetting God 'when the LORD thy God shall have brought thee into the land which he sware unto thy fathers.' The danger isn't in times of hardship but in prosperity—'great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not.' Israel would inherit established cities, filled houses, hewn cisterns, vineyards, and olive trees they didn't plant. The ease of receiving unearned blessings creates spiritual amnesia. The repetition of 'thou buildedst not,' 'thou filledst not,' 'thou diggedst not,' 'thou plantedst not' emphasizes grace—all is gift, nothing is earned.
Historical Context
Archaeological evidence confirms that Israel's conquest involved occupying existing Canaanite cities rather than building from scratch. Cities like Jericho, Ai, and Hazor had established infrastructure. This unearned inheritance fulfilled God's promise and demonstrated grace, but also created the spiritual danger Moses warns against—attributing blessing to one's own efforts rather than God's provision. Israel's later history tragically fulfilled this warning.
Reflection
- How does receiving unearned blessings tempt you toward spiritual forgetfulness?
- What practices help you remember God's grace in times of prosperity?
Word Studies
- God: אֱלֹהִים (Elohim) H430 - God (plural of majesty)
Cross-References
- References Lord: Genesis 15:18
- References God: Genesis 28:13
- Good: Nehemiah 9:25
- References Abraham: Genesis 26:3
- Parallel theme: Joshua 24:13, Psalms 78:55, 105:44