Deuteronomy 28:39

KJV

Thou shalt plant vineyards, and dress [them], but shalt neither drink [of] the wine, nor gather [the grapes]; for the worms shall eat them.

KJV (with Strong's)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 28:39 presents a vivid and severe curse for Israel's potential disobedience to the Mosaic Covenant: despite their diligent efforts in planting and cultivating vineyards, they would be denied the enjoyment of their harvest, as destructive pests would consume the fruit. This divine judgment underscores the profound futility and economic devastation that would result from their unfaithfulness, directly impacting their sustenance, livelihood, and national prosperity as a tangible consequence of their broken covenant.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 28 stands as the climactic and most extensive chapter of Moses' second discourse, serving as a solemn covenant renewal ceremony delivered to the new generation of Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they enter the Promised Land. It meticulously outlines the blessings for obedience (verses 1-14) and, far more extensively, the severe and comprehensive curses for disobedience (verses 15-68). Verse 39 is strategically placed within a litany of agricultural and economic judgments (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28:18](/deuteronomy/28-18 "Deuteronomy 28:18 - Curse on Offspring and Produce"), [Deuteronomy 28:38](/deuteronomy/28-38 "Deuteronomy 28:38 - Little Harvest"), [Deuteronomy 28:40](/deuteronomy/28-40 "Deuteronomy 28:40 - Olive Trees Fail")), which collectively describe the land's unproductiveness and the people's inability to enjoy the fruits of their labor. This particular curse, focusing on vineyards, highlights the comprehensive and inescapable nature of God's judgment, where even meticulous human effort would be rendered utterly useless by divine intervention.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israel was fundamentally an agrarian society, with its economy, sustenance, and cultural identity deeply intertwined with the productivity of its land. Vineyards were not merely a source of food but also of wine, which was central to daily life, social gatherings, religious feasts, and sacrificial offerings. The promise of a "land flowing with milk and honey" ([Exodus 3:8](/exodus/3-8 "Exodus 3:8 - A Land Flowing with Milk and Honey")) was a foundational aspect of their covenant relationship with Yahweh, symbolizing divine provision and blessing. Consequently, curses that directly targeted agricultural output, such as the destruction of vineyards, struck at the very heart of their economic stability, social well-being, and even their capacity for worship. The mention of "worms" reflects a common and devastating agricultural challenge of the ancient Near East, but in this context, these natural phenomena are explicitly presented as divinely orchestrated agents of judgment, emphasizing God's sovereign control over creation to execute His will.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several core themes found throughout [the book of Deuteronomy](/deuteronomy/1 "The Book of Deuteronomy - Moses' Farewell Addresses"):
* **Covenant Fidelity and Consequences:** The overarching theme is the direct and inescapable link between Israel's obedience to God's covenant and their experience of either prosperity or suffering. Disobedience, as depicted in this verse, leads inevitably and demonstrably to curses, showcasing God's justice and His unwavering faithfulness to His declared word.
* **Divine Sovereignty over Creation:** The "worms" are not random pests but instruments of God's judgment, underscoring His absolute control over the natural world and its capacity to either bless or curse. This theme is powerfully echoed in other prophetic warnings, such as in [Amos 4:9](/amos/4-9 "Amos 4:9 - Devastation by Locusts"), where God explicitly states His hand in sending blight and locusts to discipline His people.
* **Futility of Labor Without God's Blessing:** Despite diligent and painstaking effort ("Thou shalt plant vineyards, and dress them"), the absence of divine favor renders all human toil meaningless and unproductive. This profound theological principle is also explored in wisdom literature and prophetic books, such as [Psalm 127:1](/psalms/127-1 "Psalm 127:1 - Unless the Lord Builds the House"), which states, "Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain," and [Haggai 1:6](/haggai/1-6 "Haggai 1:6 - Sowing Much, Bringing in Little"), which laments, "You sow much, but bring in little."
* **Deprivation and Shame:** The curse implies a deep sense of loss, extending beyond mere sustenance to the loss of joy, celebration, and communal feasting associated with the harvest. This public deprivation would lead to national shame and a diminished standing among surrounding nations, fulfilling other aspects of the covenant curses.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Vineyards (Hebrew, _kerem'_):** This term refers to a garden or vineyard, encompassing the vines and their produce. In ancient Israel, vineyards were a vital agricultural asset, representing not only economic sustenance through grapes and wine but also cultural prosperity and celebration. The curse on the "vineyards" specifically targets a primary source of wealth and joy, making the judgment particularly poignant and impactful.
* **Dress (Hebrew, _ʻâbad'_):** This primitive root means "to work," "to serve," or "to cultivate." In the context of Deuteronomy 28:39, it denotes the meticulous, laborious, and diligent effort involved in tending a vineyard—including pruning, weeding, fertilizing, and protecting the vines from various threats. The inclusion of "dress them" emphasizes that the failure of the harvest is not due to negligence or idleness on Israel's part but rather to a divinely ordained external force, highlighting the severity and intentionality of God's judgment.
* **Worms (Hebrew, _tôwlâʻ'_):** This term refers to a maggot or grub, specifically indicating a voracious, destructive insect or larva. In an agricultural setting, it signifies pests like caterpillars, vine weevils, or other grubs that would consume the fruit directly on the vine. The imagery is vivid and visceral, conveying a complete and pervasive destruction of the harvest before it can be gathered or processed, rendering all the preceding labor utterly futile. This specific agent of destruction highlights God's sovereign control over even the smallest elements of creation to execute His will.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou shalt plant vineyards, and dress [them]":** This opening clause establishes the human effort and diligence involved. The Israelites are depicted as actively engaging in the customary, laborious, and skilled process of establishing and meticulously maintaining their vineyards. This highlights that the subsequent failure to produce fruit is not a result of their idleness, incompetence, or lack of investment, but rather an external, divinely imposed intervention.
* **"but shalt neither drink [of] the wine, nor gather [the grapes]":** This is the core of the curse, detailing the profound deprivation. Despite their strenuous and careful labor, the people will be denied the ultimate enjoyment and benefit of their efforts. They will not taste the wine produced from the grapes, nor will they even be able to gather the grapes themselves for immediate consumption, storage, or trade. This signifies a complete and utter loss of the harvest, impacting both their sustenance and their cultural celebrations.
* **"for the worms shall eat them":** This final clause provides the specific, divinely appointed agent of destruction. The "worms" (destructive pests) are the direct means by which God's judgment is executed, ensuring the absolute futility of their agricultural endeavors and the precise fulfillment of the curse. This underscores God's sovereign control over the natural world, using even the smallest creatures to accomplish His purposes of discipline and judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 28:39 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its stark message of divine judgment. **Irony** is powerfully evident, as the diligent and painstaking effort of "planting and dressing" the vineyards stands in stark contrast to the utter lack of reward, creating a deep sense of tragic futility. The verse also utilizes **Hyperbole** in the absolute nature of the curse; it is not merely a poor harvest but a complete denial of any fruit, emphasizing the severity and totality of divine judgment. The "worms" function as a potent **Symbolism** or **Metonymy** for divine judgment executed through natural means, representing the destructive and inescapable consequences of disobedience. Furthermore, the entire verse is a clear example of **Cause and Effect**, where the implied cause (Israel's covenant disobedience) leads directly to the stated and vivid effect (the destruction of their harvest by pests).

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 28:39 serves as a stark and enduring reminder of God's absolute sovereignty over creation and the direct correlation between covenant faithfulness and the experience of either blessing or curse. It profoundly underscores that human effort, no matter how diligent or well-intentioned, is ultimately dependent on divine favor for its fruitfulness and ultimate success. This foundational principle extends far beyond the agricultural realm, teaching that true prosperity, lasting joy, and the genuine enjoyment of one's labor are ultimately gifts from God, not merely the products of human toil or ingenuity. The futility described here is a tangible and painful manifestation of God's displeasure, designed not for arbitrary punishment but to humble His people, bring them to repentance, and foster a renewed and absolute reliance on Him as the ultimate source of all good.

* [Leviticus 26:16](/leviticus/26-16 "Leviticus 26:16 - Sowing in Vain")
* [Haggai 1:6](/haggai/1-6 "Haggai 1:6 - Sowing Much, Bringing in Little")
* [Amos 4:9](/amos/4-9 "Amos 4:9 - Devastation by Locusts")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 28:39, while rooted in the specific context of the Old Covenant and ancient Israel's agrarian society, offers profound and timeless spiritual lessons for believers today. It compels us to deeply consider where our efforts are truly directed and on whom our ultimate fruitfulness and satisfaction depend. Are we diligently "planting and dressing" our lives, our ministries, our careers, or our relationships, yet experiencing a persistent sense of futility, as if unseen "worms" are consuming our efforts and denying us the "wine" and "grapes" we seek? This verse serves as a powerful call to self-examination, prompting us to identify any areas of disobedience, self-reliance, spiritual misalignment, or unconfessed sin that might be hindering God's blessing. It powerfully reminds us that genuine abundance, profound peace, and lasting satisfaction flow not merely from our hard work or strategic planning, but from a vibrant, obedient, and dependent relationship with the Lord, who alone gives the increase. Our labor is truly sanctified and made fruitful when it is undertaken in His strength, according to His will, and for His glory; otherwise, it risks becoming a source of frustration, weariness, and unfulfilled expectation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life do I feel like I am "planting vineyards and dressing them" but not experiencing the desired "wine" or "grapes"?**
* **What "worms" — whether they be sin, distraction, self-reliance, anxiety, or a lack of faith — might be hindering the fruitfulness of my efforts, both spiritually and practically?**
* **How does this verse challenge my ingrained understanding of success and productivity, prompting a shift from purely human effort to a greater reliance on divine blessing?**
* **What concrete steps can I take to ensure that my labor, in all its forms, is more fully aligned with God's will and deeply dependent on His favor, rather than leading to futility?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse mean God will send literal worms to destroy my garden if I sin?**

Answer: While Deuteronomy 28:39 describes a literal agricultural curse for ancient Israel under the specific terms of the Mosaic Covenant, its primary spiritual lesson for believers today is about the principle of futility that can result from disobedience or a lack of reliance on God. In the Old Testament, God's judgment often manifested through tangible, natural means, directly impacting the physical well-being and prosperity of the nation. However, under the New Covenant, the "curses" for believers are primarily spiritual consequences, such as a lack of peace, joy, spiritual fruitfulness, or a sense of emptiness, rather than direct physical destruction of crops or property. The "worms" in this verse can be understood metaphorically as any force—spiritual, emotional, relational, or circumstantial—that undermines our efforts and prevents us from enjoying the fruit of our labor when we are out of alignment with God's will. The emphasis for us is on the profound principle that true blessing, lasting fruitfulness, and genuine enjoyment of our work ultimately come from God's favor and our obedience to Him, as highlighted in passages like [Psalm 1:3](/psalms/1-3 "Psalm 1:3 - A Tree Planted by Streams of Water").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 28:39, with its grim depiction of futile labor and harvests consumed by destructive pests, finds its profound and glorious Christ-centered fulfillment in the redemptive work of Jesus. The exhaustive list of curses under the Old Covenant, which Israel experienced due to their inability to perfectly uphold the law, culminates in the ultimate curse of spiritual barrenness and separation from God. However, Christ Himself became a curse for us, bearing the full weight of the law's condemnation on the cross, so that we might be redeemed from its power and receive the blessing of Abraham ([Galatians 3:13-14](/galatians/3-13-14 "Galatians 3:13-14 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")). In Jesus, the futility, barrenness, and consumed harvests described in this verse are utterly overcome. He declares Himself the [true vine](/john/15-1 "John 15:1 - Jesus the True Vine"), and those who abide in Him are promised to bear much fruit, a stark and life-giving contrast to the grapes devoured by worms. Our labor in the Lord is never in vain ([1 Corinthians 15:58](/1_corinthians/15-58 "1 Corinthians 15:58 - Our Labor in the Lord is Not in Vain")), for He empowers us by His Spirit to produce spiritual fruit that endures for eternity ([John 15:16](/john/15-16 "John 15:16 - Bearing Fruit that Endures")). Through His perfect obedience and sacrificial death, Christ has decisively vanquished the "worms" of sin, futility, spiritual barrenness, and the curse of the law, ensuring that our efforts, when rooted in Him, will yield a harvest of righteousness, joy, and eternal life, allowing us to truly "drink of the wine" of His abundant grace and gather the "grapes" of His kingdom.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI 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: