And he hath brought us into this place, and hath given us this land, even a land that floweth with milk and honey.

DEUTERONOMY 26:9KJV
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Deuteronomy 26:9 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 26:9 mean?

Deuteronomy 26:9 presents the land as God’s gift to Israel. The speaker describes the people’s arrival there as the completion of a journey from oppression to a place where they could live and produce food.

The speaker is an Israelite bringing the first part of the harvest to God. After recalling the rescue from Egypt, the speaker describes the land as “flowing with milk and honey,” an image of abundance.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 26:9

  • “floweth” — זוּב (zuv): This word can mean “flow” or “run.” Its use here gives the picture of milk and honey coming in abundance, rather than merely being present.
  • “honey” — דְּבַשׁ (devash): This word means “honey” or a sweet syrup. It may refer to the sweetness of fruit as well as the honey produced by bees.

Why Deuteronomy 26:9 matters

  • The speaker tells a shared story, not just a personal one. The words “us” and “our” in the surrounding declaration join the individual bringing the harvest to the experience of the people as a whole.
  • The gift of land gives the harvest offering its setting. In verse 10, the speaker brings produce from “the land, which thou, O LORD, hast given me.”
  • The description of the land helps explain why the speaker calls it a gift. “Milk and honey” picture a place able to support animals and provide sweet food.

Where else these words appear

“floweth” Hebrew H2100 · used in 41 verses

  • Exodus 3:8 And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
  • Leviticus 15:19 And if a woman have an issue, and her issue in her flesh be blood, she shall be put apart seven days: and whosoever toucheth her shall be unclean until the even.
  • Deuteronomy 26:15 Look down from thy holy habitation, from heaven, and bless thy people Israel, and the land which thou hast given us, as thou swarest unto our fathers, a land that floweth with milk and honey.

“milk” Hebrew H2461 · used in 44 verses

  • Genesis 18:8 And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.
  • Deuteronomy 11:9 And that ye may prolong your days in the land, which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give unto them and to their seed, a land that floweth with milk and honey.
  • Proverbs 30:33 Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.

“honey” Hebrew H1706 · used in 54 verses

  • Genesis 43:11 And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds:
  • Deuteronomy 31:20 For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and provoke me, and break my covenant.
  • Psalms 119:103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!