Deuteronomy 28:39
Deuteronomy 28:39 in Multiple Translations
You will plant and cultivate vineyards, but will neither drink the wine nor gather the grapes, because worms will eat them.
Thou shalt plant vineyards, and dress them, but shalt neither drink of the wine, nor gather the grapes; for the worms shall eat them.
Thou shalt plant vineyards and dress them, but thou shalt neither drink of the wine, nor gather the grapes; for the worm shall eat them.
You will put in vines and take care of them, but you will get no wine or grapes from them; for they will be food for worms.
You will plant vineyards and care for them, but you won't harvest the grapes or drink the wine, because the grapes will be eaten by maggots.
Thou shalt plant a vineyard, and dresse it, but shalt neither drinke of the wine, nor gather the grapes: for the wormes shall eate it.
vineyards thou dost plant, and hast laboured, and wine thou dost not drink nor gather, for the worm doth consume it;
You will plant vineyards and dress them, but you will neither drink of the wine, nor harvest, because worms will eat them.
Thou shalt plant vineyards and dress them , but shalt neither drink of the wine, nor gather the grapes : for the worm shall eat them.
Thou shalt plant a vineyard, and dig it, and shalt not drink the wine, nor gather any thing thereof: because it shall be wasted with worms.
You will plant grapevines and take care of them, but you will not pick any grapes to make wine, because worms will eat the vines.
Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 28:39
BAB
Word Study
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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 28:39 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כְּרָמִ֥ים
תִּטַּ֖ע
וְ/עָבָ֑דְתָּ
וְ/יַ֤יִן
לֹֽא
תִשְׁתֶּה֙
וְ/לֹ֣א
תֶאֱגֹ֔ר
כִּ֥י
תֹאכְלֶ֖/נּוּ
הַ/תֹּלָֽעַת
כְּרָמִ֥ים
kerem
H3754
vineyard
N-cp
תִּטַּ֖ע
nâṭaʻ
H5193
to plant
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
וְ/עָבָ֑דְתָּ
ʻâbad
H5647
to serve
Conj | V-Qal-2ms
וְ/יַ֤יִן
yayin
H3196
wine
Conj | N-ms
לֹֽא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
תִשְׁתֶּה֙
shâthâh
H8354
to drink
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
וְ/לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
תֶאֱגֹ֔ר
ʼâgar
H103
to gather
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
כִּ֥י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
תֹאכְלֶ֖/נּוּ
ʼâkal
H398
to eat
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs | Suff
הַ/תֹּלָֽעַת
tôwlâʻ
H8438
worm
Art | N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Deuteronomy 28:39
כְּרָמִ֥ים
kerem
H3754
"vineyard"
N-cp
A vineyard, or kerem, was a garden or plot of land used for growing vines and other crops. In the Bible, vineyards were often used as a symbol of prosperity and abundance, as seen in the book of Isaiah and the parables of Jesus.
Definition: vineyard
Usage: Occurs in 81 OT verses. KJV: vines, (increase of the) vineyard(-s), vintage. See also H1021 (בֵּית הַכֶּרֶם). See also: Genesis 9:20; Nehemiah 5:11; Psalms 107:37.
תִּטַּ֖ע
nâṭaʻ
H5193
"to plant"
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
To plant or establish something, like in Genesis 2:8 where God planted a garden in Eden. It can also mean to fix or fasten something in place.
Definition: 1) to plant, fasten, fix, establish 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to plant 1a2) to plant, establish (fig.) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be planted 1b2) to be established (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 55 OT verses. KJV: fastened, plant(-er). See also: Genesis 2:8; Isaiah 17:10; Psalms 44:3.
וְ/עָבָ֑דְתָּ
ʻâbad
H5647
"to serve"
Conj | V-Qal-2ms
To serve or work is the meaning of this verb, which can also imply slavery or bondage, as seen in the story of the Israelites in Egypt. It is used to describe various types of work or service, including serving God or other people. The word has different forms and meanings in different contexts.
Definition: : serve[someone] 1) to work, serve 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to labour, work, do work 1a2) to work for another, serve another by labour 1a3) to serve as subjects 1a4) to serve (God) 1a5) to serve (with Levitical service) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be worked, be tilled (of land) 1b2) to make oneself a servant 1c) (Pual) to be worked 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to compel to labour or work, cause to labour, cause to serve 1d2) to cause to serve as subjects 1e) (Hophal) to be led or enticed to serve
Usage: Occurs in 262 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] be, keep in bondage, be bondmen, bond-service, compel, do, dress, ear, execute, [phrase] husbandman, keep, labour(-ing man, bring to pass, (cause to, make to) serve(-ing, self), (be, become) servant(-s), do (use) service, till(-er), transgress (from margin), (set a) work, be wrought, worshipper, See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 28:14; Psalms 2:11.
וְ/יַ֤יִן
yayin
H3196
"wine"
Conj | N-ms
The Hebrew word for wine, 'yayin', refers to fermented wine and its effects, including intoxication. It is often mentioned in the Bible in the context of banquets and feasts, such as in the book of Esther.
Definition: wine
Usage: Occurs in 134 OT verses. KJV: banqueting, wine, wine(-bibber). See also: Genesis 9:21; Proverbs 20:1; Psalms 60:5.
לֹֽא
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
תִשְׁתֶּה֙
shâthâh
H8354
"to drink"
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to drink, and it's used in many ways, like drinking from a cup or feasting. It's also used to describe being drunk or taking part in a big celebration. We see it in stories like the Last Supper in Matthew 26:27.
Definition: 1) to drink 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to drink 1a1a) of drinking cup of God's wrath, of slaughter, of wicked deeds (fig) 1a2) to feast 1b) (Niphal) to be drunk Aramaic equivalent: she.tah (שְׁתָה "to drink" H8355)
Usage: Occurs in 193 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] assuredly, banquet, [idiom] certainly, drink(-er, -ing), drunk ([idiom] -ard), surely. (Prop. intensive of H8248 (שָׁקָה).) See also: Genesis 9:21; 2 Kings 19:24; Psalms 50:13.
וְ/לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
תֶאֱגֹ֔ר
ʼâgar
H103
"to gather"
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
The Hebrew word agar means to gather or harvest, used in various biblical contexts.
Definition: 1) to gather 1a) (Qal) to gather
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: gather. See also: Deuteronomy 28:39; Proverbs 6:8; Proverbs 10:5.
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.
תֹאכְלֶ֖/נּוּ
ʼâkal
H398
"to eat"
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs | Suff
This word means to eat or devour, and it's used in many stories, including when Jesus fed the 5000 with fish and bread in the book of Matthew. It's about taking in nourishment and being satisfied.
Definition: 1) to eat, devour, burn up, feed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to eat (human subject) 1a2) to eat, devour (of beasts and birds) 1a3) to devour, consume (of fire) 1a4) to devour, slay (of sword) 1a5) to devour, consume, destroy (inanimate subjects - ie, pestilence, drought) 1a6) to devour (of oppression) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be eaten (by men) 1b2) to be devoured, consumed (of fire) 1b3) to be wasted, destroyed (of flesh) 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to cause to eat, feed with 1c2) to cause to devour 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to feed 1d2) to cause to eat 1e) (Piel) 1e1) consume Aramaic equivalent: a.khal (אֲכַל "to devour" H0399)
Usage: Occurs in 703 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. See also: Genesis 2:16; Leviticus 6:9; Numbers 24:8.
הַ/תֹּלָֽעַת
tôwlâʻ
H8438
"worm"
Art | N-fs
The Hebrew word for worm or maggot, this term is also used to describe a deep red or crimson color. It's associated with a specific type of worm that produces a vibrant dye. In the Bible, it's used to describe the color of cloth or other materials.
Definition: 1) worm, scarlet stuff, crimson 1a) worm-the female 'coccus ilicis' 1b) scarlet stuff, crimson, scarlet 1b1) the dye made from the dried body of the female of the worm "coccus ilicis" Also means: to.le.ah (תּוֹלֵעָה "worm" H8438B)
Usage: Occurs in 43 OT verses. KJV: crimson, scarlet, worm. See also: Exodus 16:20; Exodus 39:2; Psalms 22:7.
Study Notes — Deuteronomy 28:39
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Deuteronomy 28:39 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 28:39
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 28:39
- Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 28:39
- Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 28:39
- Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 28:39
- Sermons on Deuteronomy 28:39
Context — The Curses of Disobedience
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. 41You will father sons and daughters, but they will not remain yours, because they will go into captivity.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 17:10–11 | For you have forgotten the God of your salvation and failed to remember the Rock of your refuge. Therefore, though you cultivate delightful plots and set out cuttings from exotic vines— though on the day you plant you make them grow, and on that morning you help your seed sprout— yet the harvest will vanish on the day of disease and incurable pain. |
| 2 | Joel 2:2–4 | a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness. Like the dawn overspreading the mountains a great and strong army appears, such as never was of old, nor will ever be in ages to come. 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. Their appearance is like that of horses, and they gallop like swift steeds. |
| 3 | Jonah 4:7 | When dawn came the next day, God appointed a worm that attacked the plant so that it withered. |
| 4 | 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. ” |
| 5 | Joel 1:4–7 | 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. Wake up, you drunkards, and weep; wail, all you drinkers of wine, because of the sweet wine, for it has been cut off from your mouth. For a nation has invaded My land, powerful and without number; its teeth are the teeth of a lion, and its fangs are the fangs of a lioness. It has laid waste My grapevine and splintered My fig tree. It has stripped off the bark and thrown it away; the branches have turned white. |
Deuteronomy 28:39 Summary
This verse, Deuteronomy 28:39, is saying that if we disobey God, we might work hard to achieve something, but we won't get to enjoy the results, because something will come and ruin it, like worms eating the grapes. This is a warning to the Israelites, but it's also a reminder to us today that our actions have consequences, as seen in Galatians 6:7-8. We should strive to obey God and trust in His provision, just like the Israelites were supposed to trust in God's promise to give them a land of abundance, as seen in Deuteronomy 8:7-10. By doing so, we can avoid the frustration and loss that comes from disobedience, and instead experience the blessings and peace that come from following God, as seen in Psalm 37:3-7.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the worms eating the grapes in Deuteronomy 28:39?
The worms eating the grapes symbolize the loss and frustration that will come as a result of disobedience to God, as warned in Deuteronomy 28:39, and is reminiscent of the devastating locusts in Deuteronomy 28:38 and the curses found in Leviticus 26:16-20.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the chapter?
Deuteronomy 28:39 is part of a series of curses that will befall the Israelites if they disobey God, as stated in Deuteronomy 28:1-68, and is a consequence of their actions, as seen in verses like Deuteronomy 28:37-38 and Deuteronomy 28:40-41.
Is this verse only applicable to the Israelites in the Old Testament?
While Deuteronomy 28:39 is specifically addressed to the Israelites, the principle of reaping what we sow is a universal truth that applies to all people, as seen in Galatians 6:7-8 and Proverbs 22:8.
How can we apply this verse to our modern lives?
This verse serves as a reminder that our actions have consequences, and that disobedience to God can lead to loss and frustration, as seen in Deuteronomy 28:39, and encourages us to seek obedience and faithfulness to God, as encouraged in Psalm 119:1-3 and Matthew 5:3-12.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I am experiencing 'worms eating the grapes', and how can I seek God's restoration and redemption?
- How can I ensure that my actions and decisions are aligned with God's will, to avoid the consequences warned about in Deuteronomy 28:39?
- What are some ways that I can cultivate a heart of obedience and faithfulness to God, in order to avoid the curses mentioned in Deuteronomy 28?
- How can I trust God's sovereignty and provision, even when faced with loss and frustration, as described in Deuteronomy 28:39?
Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 28:39
Thou shalt plant vineyards, and dress [them],.... Plant them and prune them, in expectation of much fruit from them: but shall neither drink [of] the wine nor gather [the grapes]; so far from
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 28:39
Thou shalt plant vineyards, and dress them, but shalt neither drink of the wine, nor gather the grapes; for the worms shall eat them.
Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 28:39
(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 28:39
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 28:39
38-40. Gather… little in — The curse is extended to all labour of the field and the vineyard.
Sermons on Deuteronomy 28:39
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(The Word for Today) Isaiah 17:1 - Part 3 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith discusses the importance of standing up for righteousness in a fallen world. He emphasizes the need for young adults to abstain from the immorali |
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The Rock of My Salvation by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the significance of a song given by God to Moses in the 32nd chapter of Deuteronomy. The song was meant to be memorized and passed down throug |
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Pleasant Plants and Desperate Sorrow by J.C. Philpot | J.C. Philpot preaches about the consequences of forgetting the God of salvation and being unmindful of the Rock of strength, leading to planting pleasant plants and setting strange |
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Corporate Confession and Repentance - Part 1 by Richard Owen Roberts | In this sermon, the preacher begins by describing a scenario of a young girl getting married to an older man, emphasizing the importance of finding the right partner in God's eyes. |
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Destroying Pop-Christian Views of Marital Bliss - Part 2 by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the preacher uses the analogy of a man walking in the woods, unaware that he is being stalked by a 1200-pound grizzly bear, to illustrate the spiritual blindness th |
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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 |