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.

Thou shalt plant {H5193} vineyards {H3754}, and dress {H5647} them, but shalt neither drink {H8354} of the wine {H3196}, nor gather {H103} the grapes; for the worms {H8438} shall eat {H398} them.

You will plant vineyards and dress them but neither drink the wine nor gather the grapes, because worms will eat them.

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 thou shalt neither drink of the wine, nor gather the grapes; for the worm shall eat them.

Commentary

Deuteronomy 28:39 (KJV) is a powerful verse found within the larger section detailing the curses that would befall the Israelites if they disobeyed God's covenant. This specific verse highlights a severe consequence: despite diligent labor in cultivating vineyards, they would be denied the enjoyment of their harvest, as pests would destroy it.

Context

Deuteronomy 28 is a pivotal chapter, laying out the blessings for obedience (Deuteronomy 28:1-14) and the curses for disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:15-68). This verse is part of a lengthy and vivid description of the consequences of turning away from God. It paints a picture of a nation experiencing profound futility and hardship, where even their most basic agricultural efforts would yield no fruit due to divine judgment. This specific curse emphasizes the economic and sustenance-related impact of their unfaithfulness, directly affecting their food and livelihood.

Key Themes

  • Consequences of Disobedience: The primary theme is the severe ramifications of breaking the covenant with God. The inability to enjoy the fruits of one's labor serves as a tangible sign of divine displeasure and judgment.
  • Futility of Human Effort: This verse underscores that human effort, no matter how diligent ("Thou shalt plant vineyards, and dress them"), is ultimately dependent on God's blessing. Without it, labor becomes futile, and results are withheld or destroyed.
  • Divine Judgment through Natural Means: God's judgment is often manifested through natural calamities. Here, "worms" (referring to various destructive insects like caterpillars or grubs) are the agents of destruction, highlighting how even the natural world can become an instrument of divine consequence.
  • Deprivation and Hardship: The curse promises a state of longing and deprivation, where the very sustenance and joy derived from their land would be taken away, leading to widespread hardship and hunger.

Linguistic Insights

The term "worms" in the Hebrew is often tola' (ΧͺΦΌΧ•ΦΉΧœΦΈΧ’) or similar words, which can refer broadly to various destructive insects, including caterpillars or grubs that consume plants. This imagery vividly conveys the complete destruction of the vineyard's yield before it can be harvested or processed. The phrase "dress them" implies meticulous cultivation, underscoring that the failure isn't due to negligence but to an external, divinely ordained force.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 28:39 serves as a timeless warning about the importance of seeking God's favor and living in obedience. While the specific context is the Old Covenant with Israel, the principle resonates today:

  • Spiritual Fruitfulness: It reminds us that true prosperity and satisfaction, whether material or spiritual, ultimately depend on our relationship with God. Without His blessing, our efforts can feel like "sowing much, and bringing in little," as described in Haggai 1:6.
  • Avoiding Spiritual Futility: For believers, this verse encourages us to examine our lives and ensure our labor (in ministry, work, or personal endeavors) is aligned with God's will, lest our efforts be unfruitful or destroyed by spiritual "worms" of distraction, pride, or disobedience.
  • Reliance on God: It calls us to acknowledge God's sovereignty over all things, including our provision and success. Our hard work is important, but it must be coupled with a humble reliance on His grace and blessing.

This verse powerfully illustrates that genuine abundance and the enjoyment of our labor flow from a right relationship with the Giver of all good things.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Joel 1:4

    That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten; and that which the cankerworm hath left hath the caterpiller eaten.

  • Joel 1:7

    He hath laid my vine waste, and barked my fig tree: he hath made it clean bare, and cast [it] away; the branches thereof are made white.

  • Jonah 4:7

    But God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, and it smote the gourd that it withered.

  • Isaiah 5:10

    Yea, ten acres of vineyard shall yield one bath, and the seed of an homer shall yield an ephah.

  • Joel 2:2

    A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, [even] to the years of many generations.

  • Joel 2:4

    The appearance of them [is] as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run.

  • Isaiah 17:10

    Because thou hast forgotten the God of thy salvation, and hast not been mindful of the rock of thy strength, therefore shalt thou plant pleasant plants, and shalt set it with strange slips:
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