Deuteronomy 28:38
Deuteronomy 28:38 in Multiple Translations
You will sow much seed in the field but harvest little, because the locusts will consume it.
Thou shalt carry much seed out into the field, and shalt gather but little in; for the locust shall consume it.
Thou shalt carry much seed out into the field, and shalt gather little in; for the locust shall consume it.
You will take much seed out into the field, and get little in; for the locust will get it.
You will sow a lot of seed in the field, but harvest very little because the locusts will destroy it.
Thou shalt carie out much seede into the fielde, and shalt gather but litle in: for the grashoppers shall destroy it.
'Much seed thou dost take out into the field, and little thou dost gather in, for the locust doth consume it;
You will carry much seed out into the field, and will gather little in, for the locust will consume it.
Thou shalt carry much seed into the field, and shalt gather but little: for the locust shall consume it.
Thou shalt cast much seed into the ground, and gather little: because the locusts shall consume all.
You will plant plenty of seeds in your fields, but you will reap only a small harvest, because locusts will eat the crops.
Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 28:38
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Deuteronomy 28:38 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
זֶ֥רַע
רַ֖ב
תּוֹצִ֣יא
הַ/שָּׂדֶ֑ה
וּ/מְעַ֣ט
תֶּאֱסֹ֔ף
כִּ֥י
יַחְסְלֶ֖/נּוּ
הָ/אַרְבֶּֽה
זֶ֥רַע
zeraʻ
H2233
seed
N-ms
רַ֖ב
rab
H7227
many
Adj
תּוֹצִ֣יא
yâtsâʼ
H3318
to come out
V-Hiphil-Imperf-2ms
הַ/שָּׂדֶ֑ה
sâdeh
H7704
field
Art | N-ms
וּ/מְעַ֣ט
mᵉʻaṭ
H4592
little
Conj | N-ms
תֶּאֱסֹ֔ף
ʼâçaph
H622
to gather
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
כִּ֥י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
יַחְסְלֶ֖/נּוּ
châçal
H2628
to consume
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms | Suff
הָ/אַרְבֶּֽה
ʼarbeh
H697
locust
Art | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Deuteronomy 28:38
זֶ֥רַע
zeraʻ
H2233
"seed"
N-ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means seed or offspring, like in Genesis where God promises Abraham many descendants. It can also mean a plant or sowing time, as in Isaiah 55:10. This concept is central to God's plan for humanity.
Definition: : seed/sowing 1) seed, sowing, offspring 1a) a sowing 1b) seed 1c) semen virile 1d) offspring, descendants, posterity, children 1e) of moral quality 1e1) a practitioner of righteousness (fig.) 1f) sowing time (by meton)
Usage: Occurs in 205 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] carnally, child, fruitful, seed(-time), sowing-time. See also: Genesis 1:11; 1 Samuel 1:11; Psalms 18:51.
רַ֖ב
rab
H7227
"many"
Adj
This Hebrew word means a chief or captain, someone in charge. It is used in 2 Samuel 23:19 to describe a great and powerful man. The idea is one of leadership and authority.
Definition: adj 1) much, many, great 1a) much 1b) many 1c) abounding in 1d) more numerous than 1e) abundant, enough 1f) great 1g) strong 1h) greater than adv 1i) much, exceedingly
Usage: Occurs in 443 OT verses. KJV: (in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly), captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man, one), increase, long (enough, (time)), (do, have) many(-ifold, things, a time), (ship-)master, mighty, more, (too, very) much, multiply(-tude), officer, often(-times), plenteous, populous, prince, process (of time), suffice(-lent). See also: Genesis 6:5; 1 Kings 11:1; Psalms 3:2.
תּוֹצִ֣יא
yâtsâʼ
H3318
"to come out"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-2ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to go out or come out, and it's used in many different ways, like leaving a place or starting a new journey, as seen in Genesis and Exodus.
Definition: : come/go_out/escape 1) to go out, come out, exit, go forth 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come out or forth, depart 1a2) to go forth (to a place) 1a3) to go forward, proceed to (to or toward something) 1a4) to come or go forth (with purpose or for result) 1a5) to come out of 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out 1b2) to bring out of 1b3) to lead out 1b4) to deliver 1c) (Hophal) to be brought out or forth
Usage: Occurs in 991 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter. See also: Genesis 1:12; Exodus 9:33; Leviticus 26:45.
הַ/שָּׂדֶ֑ה
sâdeh
H7704
"field"
Art | N-ms
A field or land is what this word represents, often referring to a flat area of land used for cultivation or as a habitat for wild animals, as described in the book of Genesis. It can also mean a plain or a country, as opposed to a mountain or sea. This term is used in the story of Ruth and Boaz.
Definition: 1) field, land 1a) cultivated field 1b) of home of wild beasts 1c) plain (opposed to mountain) 1d) land (opposed to sea)
Usage: Occurs in 309 OT verses. KJV: country, field, ground, land, soil, [idiom] wild. See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 28:38; Nehemiah 12:29.
וּ/מְעַ֣ט
mᵉʻaṭ
H4592
"little"
Conj | N-ms
This Hebrew word means something is small or little in amount, like a few people or a short time. It appears in various Bible translations as almost, few, or small. In the Bible, it often describes something that is limited or lacking.
Definition: 1) littleness, few, a little, fewness 1a) little, small, littleness, fewness, too little, yet a little 1b) like a little, within a little, almost, just, hardly, shortly, little worth
Usage: Occurs in 92 OT verses. KJV: almost (some, very) few(-er, -est), lightly, little (while), (very) small (matter, thing), some, soon, [idiom] very. See also: Genesis 18:4; Job 15:11; Psalms 2:12.
תֶּאֱסֹ֔ף
ʼâçaph
H622
"to gather"
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
To gather means to bring people or things together, often for a purpose like worship or community. It can also mean to take away or remove something, like gathering a harvest. This word appears in books like Genesis and Psalms.
Definition: 1) to gather, receive, remove, gather in 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to gather, collect 1a2) to gather (an individual into company of others) 1a3) to bring up the rear 1a4) to gather and take away, remove, withdraw 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to assemble, be gathered 1b2) (pass of Qal 1a2) 1b2a) to be gathered to one's fathers 1b2b) to be brought in or into (association with others) 1b3) (pass of Qal 1a4) 1b3a) to be taken away, removed, perish 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to gather (harvest) 1c2) to take in, receive into 1c3) rearguard, rearward (subst) 1d) (Pual) to be gathered 1e) (Hithpael) to gather oneself or themselves
Usage: Occurs in 188 OT verses. KJV: assemble, bring, consume, destroy, felch, gather (in, together, up again), [idiom] generally, get (him), lose, put all together, receive, recover (another from leprosy), (be) rereward, [idiom] surely, take (away, into, up), [idiom] utterly, withdraw. See also: Genesis 6:21; 1 Chronicles 11:13; Psalms 26:9.
כִּ֥י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
יַחְסְלֶ֖/נּוּ
châçal
H2628
"to consume"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms | Suff
This Hebrew verb means to eat something completely, leaving nothing behind, as in Deuteronomy 28:51 where it says a foreign nation will consume all the produce. It is about finishing something off entirely.
Definition: (Qal) to consume, finish off, bring to an end
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: consume. See also: Deuteronomy 28:38.
הָ/אַרְבֶּֽה
ʼarbeh
H697
"locust"
Art | N-ms
The Hebrew word for locust, which rapidly multiplies, is also used figuratively to describe sudden disappearance or insignificance, as seen in the Bible.
Definition: 1) a kind of locust, locust swarm (coll) 2) (CLBL) 2a) sudden disappearance (fig.) 2b) insignificance (fig.) 2c) activity (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 21 OT verses. KJV: grasshopper, locust. See also: Exodus 10:4; 2 Chronicles 6:28; Psalms 78:46.
Study Notes — Deuteronomy 28:38
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Deuteronomy 28:38 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 28:38
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 28:38
- Trapp's Commentary on Deuteronomy 28:38
- Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 28:38
- Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 28:38
- Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 28:38
- Sermons on Deuteronomy 28:38
Context — The Curses of Disobedience
36The LORD will bring you and the king you appoint to a nation neither you nor your fathers have known, and there you will worship other gods—gods of wood and stone.
37You will become an object of horror, scorn, and ridicule among all the nations to which the LORD will drive you.
38You will sow much seed in the field but harvest little, because the locusts will consume it.
39You will plant and cultivate vineyards, but will neither drink the wine nor gather the grapes, because worms will eat them. 40You will have olive trees throughout your territory but will never anoint yourself with oil, because the olives will drop off.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Haggai 1:6 | You have planted much but harvested little. You eat but never have enough. You drink but never have your fill. You put on clothes but never get warm. You earn wages to put into a bag pierced through.” |
| 2 | Micah 6:15 | You will sow but not reap; you will press olives but not anoint yourselves with oil; you will tread grapes but not drink the wine. |
| 3 | Joel 1:4 | What the devouring locust has left, the swarming locust has eaten; what the swarming locust has left, the young locust has eaten; and what the young locust has left, the destroying locust has eaten. |
| 4 | Amos 4:9 | “I struck you with blight and mildew in your growing gardens and vineyards; the locust devoured your fig and olive trees, yet you did not return to Me,” declares the LORD. |
| 5 | Joel 2:25 | I will repay you for the years eaten by locusts— the swarming locust, the young locust, the destroying locust, and the devouring locust — My great army that I sent against you. |
| 6 | Isaiah 5:10 | For ten acres of vineyard will yield but a bath of wine, and a homer of seed only an ephah of grain. ” |
| 7 | Joel 2:3 | Before them a fire devours, and behind them a flame scorches. The land before them is like the Garden of Eden, but behind them, it is like a desert wasteland— surely nothing will escape them. |
| 8 | Amos 7:1–2 | This is what the Lord GOD showed me: He was preparing swarms of locusts just after the king’s harvest, as the late spring crop was coming up. And when the locusts had eaten every green plant in the land, I said, “Lord GOD, please forgive! How will Jacob survive, since he is so small?” |
| 9 | Exodus 10:14–15 | The locusts swarmed across the land and settled over the entire territory of Egypt. Never before had there been so many locusts, and never again will there be. They covered the face of all the land until it was black, and they consumed all the plants on the ground and all the fruit on the trees that the hail had left behind. Nothing green was left on any tree or plant in all the land of Egypt. |
Deuteronomy 28:38 Summary
Deuteronomy 28:38 means that when we disobey God, we can expect to face difficulties and disappointments, like a farmer who plants much seed but harvests little due to locusts consuming the crop. This verse teaches us that our actions have consequences, and that God wants us to trust Him and follow His ways (see Psalm 37:3-7, where we are encouraged to trust in the Lord and do good, and Proverbs 3:5-6, which reminds us to trust in the Lord with all our heart). By obeying God, we can experience His blessing and provision, but when we disobey, we may face hardship and loss. This verse encourages us to reflect on our relationship with God and to seek His help in overcoming the challenges we face.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'sow much seed in the field but harvest little' in Deuteronomy 28:38?
This phrase is a metaphor for the frustration and disappointment that comes from disobedience to God, as seen in Deuteronomy 28:38, where the locusts consume the harvest, illustrating the consequences of sin (see also Proverbs 10:5, where a wise son gathers in summer, but a son who sleeps during harvest brings shame to his father).
Are the 'locusts' in Deuteronomy 28:38 a literal or symbolic threat?
The 'locusts' in Deuteronomy 28:38 are likely a symbolic representation of the destructive power of sin and disobedience, similar to the locusts in Joel 1:4, which devour the land, leaving it barren and desolate, illustrating the devastating consequences of turning away from God (see also Exodus 10:4-5, where locusts are one of the plagues God sends upon Egypt).
How does Deuteronomy 28:38 relate to the broader context of the chapter?
Deuteronomy 28:38 is part of a larger section (Deuteronomy 28:15-68) that outlines the consequences of disobedience to God's covenant, including the loss of blessing, the experience of hardship, and the threat of exile, as seen in Deuteronomy 28:36, where the LORD will bring the people to a nation they do not know, and Deuteronomy 28:37, where they will become an object of horror and ridicule among the nations.
What can we learn from Deuteronomy 28:38 about God's relationship with His people?
Deuteronomy 28:38 teaches us that God is a God of justice and righteousness, who blesses obedience and disciplines disobedience (see Deuteronomy 28:1-14, where God promises to bless the people if they obey His commands, and Hebrews 12:6, which reminds us that the Lord disciplines those He loves).
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I am 'sowing much seed' but 'harvesting little', and what might be the underlying spiritual issues contributing to this?
- How can I apply the principle of Deuteronomy 28:38 to my own life, recognizing the potential consequences of disobedience and the importance of faithfulness to God?
- In what ways can I trust God to provide for my needs, even when I face difficulties or disappointments, and how can I cultivate a spirit of gratitude and contentment in the midst of challenges?
- What are some 'locusts' in my life that might be consuming my spiritual harvest, and how can I seek God's help to overcome them?
Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 28:38
Thou shall carry much seed into the field,.... And sow it plentifully; this and what is said in some following verses plainly refer to them while in their own land, before carried captive, and not to
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 28:38
Thou shalt carry much seed out into the field, and shalt gather but little in; for the locust shall consume it. Thou shalt carry much seed out into the field, and shalt gather but little in.
Trapp's Commentary on Deuteronomy 28:38
Deuteronomy 28:38 Thou shalt carry much seed out into the field, and shalt gather [but] little in; for the locust shall consume it.Ver. 38. For the locust shall consume it.] See this fulfilled in Joe 1:4 Amos 4:9; Amos 7:1-2 Haggai 1:6; Haggai 1:11.
Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 28:38
(38-42) These are the contrary to Deuteronomy 28:11; and Deuteronomy 28:44 is the contrary to Deuteronomy 28:12-13. From the order of the passage it might seem that these particular troubles were to come on Israel after their captivity. And perhaps it is not accidental that something very like a fulfilment of Deu 28:38-40 is found in Haggai 1:6-11. (Comp. also Isaiah 5:10, “Ten acres of vineyard shall yield one bath, and the seed of an homer shall yield an ephah.”)
Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 28:38
15–46. The Curses The opening Deuteronomy 28:15-20, correspond to the blessings in Deuteronomy 28:1-7, except that there are no antitheses to Deuteronomy 28:1 b and Deuteronomy 28:2 b, and that the curse on basket and kneading-bowl precedes that on fruit of thy body, etc. Then the Discourse leaves the limits it had observed in the remainder of the blessings, Deuteronomy 28:8-14, and while here and there it gives the exact contrast of these blessings (cp. Deuteronomy 28:23 f. with Deuteronomy 28:12 a, Deuteronomy 28:25 with Deuteronomy 28:7 b, Deuteronomy 28:37 and Deuteronomy 28:46 with Deuteronomy 28:10, Deuteronomy 28:43 f. with Deuteronomy 28:12 b, Deuteronomy 28:13 a), the rest is a detailed antithesis to the summary blessing in 11; and diseases, calamities to man and beast, failures of seed and harvest, losses of children and property, and even exile, are set forth in detail. The opinion that Deuteronomy 28:26-37 and Deuteronomy 28:41 are later additions is plausible, not because they contain predictions of exile but because they elaborate the rest; and this rest, Deuteronomy 28:21-25 (or 26), Deuteronomy 28:38-40 and Deuteronomy 28:42-46, more nearly corresponds to Deuteronomy 28:8-14. In view of the repeating style of D it is impossible to say whether some even of those vv. are original or expansions; there are no sufficient grounds for the detailed analysis by Steuernagel.
Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 28:38
38-40. Gather… little in — The curse is extended to all labour of the field and the vineyard.
Sermons on Deuteronomy 28:38
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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It's Not Enough to Get Out of Babylon by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher criticizes the trend of showcase charities that are primarily focused on raising money for airtime and advertisement. He warns that ministers will be h |
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God Will Resore All Your Wasted Years by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of two verses from the book of Joel in the Bible. These verses describe the destructive power of worms and insects that devou |
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Why Revival Tarries by H.T. De Villiers | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the challenges and temptations faced when praying for revival in a world filled with iniquity. He shares his personal experience of feeling |
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Commentary Notes - Joel by Walter Beuttler | Walter Beuttler preaches on the Book of Joel, highlighting the devastation caused by locusts as a divine chastisement, leading to the end of daily sacrifices. Joel's prophecy uses |
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A Word for the Down-Hearted by Alan Redpath | In this sermon, the preacher addresses those who are feeling discouraged and downhearted. God speaks to His people, urging them to listen to Him amidst the various voices they have |
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Revival - Part 1 by L.E. Maxwell | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of having a sense of wonder and awe towards God. He explains that when people lose this sense of wonder, they are in need of |
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Failure & Brokenness by K.P. Yohannan | In this sermon, the speaker shares his experience of preparing for a year-end conference in Ajmer, India. He expresses his concern about being in high demand and the pressure to de |