Jeremiah 12:13

KJV

They have sown wheat, but shall reap thorns: they have put themselves to pain, [but] shall not profit: and they shall be ashamed of your revenues because of the fierce anger of the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

They have sown {H2232} wheat {H2406}, but shall reap {H7114} thorns {H6975}: they have put themselves to pain {H2470}, but shall not profit {H3276}: and they shall be ashamed {H954} of your revenues {H8393} because of the fierce {H2740} anger {H639} of the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They sowed wheat and reaped thorns, they wore themselves out and gained nothing. So be ashamed of your [tiny] harvest, the result of ADONAI's fierce anger.

Berean Standard Bible

They have sown wheat but harvested thorns. They have exhausted themselves to no avail. Bear the shame of your harvest because of the fierce anger of the LORD.”

American Standard Version

They have sown wheat, and have reaped thorns; they have put themselves to pain, and profit nothing: and ye shall be ashamed of your fruits, because of the fierce anger of Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 12:13 stands as a potent prophetic indictment against Judah, vividly portraying the futility and bitter consequences of their unrighteous endeavors. Through striking agricultural metaphors, the verse declares that despite their strenuous labor and investment, the people will harvest only barrenness and pain instead of expected prosperity, ultimately facing profound shame and loss. This devastating outcome is presented as a direct, inescapable consequence of the Lord's intense and righteous wrath against their persistent disobedience and covenant infidelity, underscoring the immutable principle that actions divorced from God's will inevitably lead to unprofitable and humiliating results.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 12:13 is strategically positioned within a significant dialogue between the prophet Jeremiah and the Lord, following Jeremiah's passionate lament concerning the prosperity of the wicked. In [Jeremiah 12:1-4](/jeremiah/12-1-4 "Jeremiah's Complaint and God's Response"), Jeremiah questions God's justice in allowing the wicked to flourish, prompting a divine response that affirms God's intimate knowledge of the heart and His impending judgment upon the land and its treacherous inhabitants. The Lord then describes His painful act of abandoning His cherished heritage to its enemies, lamenting the desolation of His beloved land in [Jeremiah 12:7-11](/jeremiah/12-7-11 "God's Lament Over His Heritage"). Verse 13 serves as a specific, concrete illustration of the economic and social ramifications of this divine judgment, directly detailing the futility of human labor when it operates under God's curse, building upon the preceding descriptions of the land's ravaged state due to the invaders. It underscores the direct link between spiritual rebellion and tangible, devastating consequences.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This prophetic declaration resonates deeply within the tumultuous historical landscape of Judah during the late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE, a period marked by the encroaching threat of Babylonian power. The people of Judah had largely abandoned the Mosaic covenant, engaging in pervasive idolatry, systemic social injustice, and widespread moral corruption. Despite the persistent warnings from prophets like Jeremiah, they stubbornly clung to their sinful ways, often placing their trust in precarious political alliances with foreign powers or their own perceived strength, rather than in Yahweh. Economically, ancient Judah was an agrarian society, making the agricultural metaphor of sowing and reaping particularly poignant and easily understood by the audience. The "revenues" (Hebrew: _tᵉbûwʼâh_) explicitly refer to the expected agricultural produce, highlighting that even their most fundamental means of sustenance would fail. The "fierce anger of the LORD" reflects God's righteous indignation against a people who repeatedly violated their covenant obligations, leading to the prophesied discipline of exile and desolation, a central theme woven throughout the entire book of [Jeremiah](/jeremiah/1 "The Book of Jeremiah").
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 12:13 powerfully contributes to several foundational themes prevalent not only in the book of Jeremiah but also across the broader landscape of Old Testament prophetic literature. Foremost among these is the theme of **Divine Judgment and Retribution**, where God's unwavering justice is meted out against sin and rebellion, manifesting here as severe economic hardship and national humiliation. It profoundly illustrates the **Futility of Human Effort Apart from God**, demonstrating that human labor, no matter how strenuous or well-intentioned, is ultimately unproductive and self-defeating when undertaken in defiance of God's will or outside His blessing. This concept is intrinsically linked to the broader biblical principle of **Sowing and Reaping**, which asserts that actions inevitably yield corresponding consequences, whether positive or negative, a truth echoed in passages like [Galatians 6:7](/galatians/6-7 "Galatians 6:7 - The Principle of Sowing and Reaping"). Furthermore, the verse underscores the dire **Consequences of Covenant Disobedience**, showing how breaking faith with Yahweh leads directly to the withdrawal of His blessing and the imposition of His curse, thereby fulfilling the solemn warnings outlined within the Mosaic covenant, particularly in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses for Obedience and Disobedience").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **sown (Hebrew, _zâraʻ'_):** This primitive root signifies "to sow," "to disseminate," or "to plant." In the context of Jeremiah 12:13, it refers to the laborious and hopeful act of planting seeds, specifically wheat, which was a staple crop. It symbolizes human effort, investment of time and resources, and the expectation of a positive, nourishing yield from one's labor.
* **thorns (Hebrew, _qôwts'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to prick," this word denotes a thorn. Thorns are inherently unproductive, painful, and are often biblically symbolic of the curse, barrenness, or the painful consequences of sin (cf. [Genesis 3:18](/genesis/3-18 "Genesis 3:18 - Cursed is the Ground")). Their appearance as the harvest, instead of the expected wheat, signifies a complete and devastating reversal of natural expectation, yielding only bitterness, pain, and worthlessness.
* **profit (Hebrew, _yaʻal'_):** This primitive root properly means "to ascend," but figuratively, it conveys the idea "to be valuable," "useful," or "benefited." The negation "shall not profit" powerfully emphasizes the utter lack of gain, advantage, or positive return from their strenuous efforts. Their pain and labor will yield no beneficial outcome, highlighting the economic, spiritual, and existential bankruptcy of their actions.
* **fierce (Hebrew, _chârôwn'_):** Often appearing in conjunction with _ʼaph_ (anger/nose), this word signifies "a burning of anger" or "sore displeasure." It conveys an intense, hot, and righteous indignation. When attributed to the LORD, as it is here, it denotes His severe, unyielding, and just wrath against deep rebellion and persistent covenant breaking, indicating that the negative consequences are not accidental misfortunes but a direct, intentional, and consuming act of divine judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They have sown wheat, but shall reap thorns:"** This opening clause immediately establishes a profound agricultural paradox, serving as the central metaphor of the verse. The people have diligently invested their labor in planting wheat, a valuable and life-sustaining crop, yet the prophesied outcome is the reaping of thorns—something useless, painful, and symbolic of a curse. This signifies a complete and devastating reversal of natural expectations, illustrating that their efforts, though seemingly productive, will yield only bitterness, barrenness, and futility due to their spiritual condition and God's judgment.
* **"they have put themselves to pain, [but] shall not profit:"** This clause powerfully reinforces the preceding metaphor by explicitly stating the complete lack of return on their arduous labor. The phrase "put themselves to pain" (from Hebrew _châlâh_) implies strenuous, even sickening, effort and suffering. Despite this significant investment of energy and hardship, they will gain absolutely nothing of value. This highlights the profound spiritual and material bankruptcy of their endeavors when undertaken outside of God's blessing or in direct defiance of His righteous will.
* **"and they shall be ashamed of your revenues because of the fierce anger of the LORD."** The concluding clause reveals the ultimate emotional and theological consequence of their futile efforts. "Revenues" (Hebrew: _tᵉbûwʼâh_) refers to their expected produce, income, or gain. Instead of experiencing pride or satisfaction from their harvest, they will be overwhelmed with deep shame and disappointment. Crucially, this shame is not merely due to crop failure, but "because of the fierce anger of the LORD," explicitly attributing their misfortune, futility, and humiliation to God's intense, burning, and righteous wrath, underscoring that their suffering is a direct and intentional divine judgment for their unfaithfulness.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 12:13 is masterfully crafted with several potent literary devices that amplify its prophetic message and underscore its theological weight. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, specifically an **Agricultural Metaphor**, where the act of "sowing wheat" and "reaping thorns" vividly illustrates the spiritual and moral principle of sowing and reaping. Wheat symbolizes valuable, expected produce, while thorns represent worthlessness, pain, and a cursed outcome, creating a stark **Juxtaposition** that emphasizes the complete reversal of natural expectations due to divine intervention. The phrase "put themselves to pain, but shall not profit" employs **Antithesis**, setting up opposing ideas (strenuous labor versus utter lack of gain) to powerfully highlight the futility of their efforts. The declaration that they "shall be ashamed of your revenues" utilizes **Irony**, as revenues are typically a source of pride and security, but here they become a source of profound humiliation and disappointment. Finally, the concluding phrase "fierce anger of the LORD" is a powerful **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human emotion (anger) to God, thereby conveying the intense, consuming nature of His righteous indignation and unequivocally identifying the divine hand as the direct cause of their suffering and desolation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 12:13 profoundly articulates the immutable biblical principle that actions have inevitable consequences, particularly within the framework of a covenant relationship with God. It serves as a stark reminder that human effort, no matter how diligent or arduous, is ultimately futile and unproductive when it is rooted in disobedience or undertaken in defiance of divine will. The "fierce anger of the LORD" is not an arbitrary outburst but a just and holy response to Judah's persistent idolatry, social injustice, and covenant infidelity, reflecting God's unwavering holiness and His commitment to the terms of His covenant. This verse stands as a solemn warning that a life lived apart from God's guidance, or in active rebellion against His commands, will inevitably lead to a harvest of bitterness, shame, and loss, rather than the anticipated blessings and prosperity. It underscores the absolute sovereignty of God over all outcomes, even agricultural and economic ones, and His ultimate control over the flourishing or desolation of a nation.

* [Hosea 8:7](/hosea/8-7 "Hosea 8:7 - For They Sow the Wind, And Reap the Whirlwind")
* [Job 4:8](/job/4-8 "Job 4:8 - Those Who Plow Iniquity and Sow Trouble Reap the Same")
* [Proverbs 22:8](/proverbs/22-8 "Proverbs 22:8 - He Who Sows Injustice Will Reap Calamity")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 12:13 offers a timeless and profoundly sobering challenge for both personal and communal introspection. It compels us to critically examine the underlying foundations and motivations of our endeavors, prompting us to ask whether our efforts are truly aligned with God's revealed will and rooted in genuine faith, or if they are self-serving, unrighteous, or even defiant. The verse issues a stark warning: investing our precious time, energy, and resources into pursuits that contradict God's Word or disregard His presence will ultimately yield a harvest of "thorns"—bitter disappointment, spiritual barrenness, and profound shame, rather than the expected "wheat" of blessing, fruitfulness, and true profit. It calls us to consider the ultimate source of our security, success, and flourishing, reminding us that true prosperity and lasting gain come not from our own strength, cunning, or self-reliance, but from living in humble obedience and complete dependence on the Lord. This passage urgently calls us to repent of any areas where we might be "sowing wind" and instead to sow righteousness, trusting that God alone possesses the power and grace to bring forth a bountiful and truly profitable harvest that honors Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life might I be "sowing wheat" (expending significant effort and resources) but risking "reaping thorns" due to misaligned priorities, unconfessed sin, or disobedience to God's Word?**
* **How does the concept of the "fierce anger of the LORD" in this verse deepen my understanding of God's holiness, justice, and His covenant faithfulness, and what practical implications does this have for my daily walk with Him?**
* **What concrete steps can I take this week to ensure that my daily efforts, long-term goals, and deepest desires are truly rooted in God's will, so that I might "profit" in ways that bring Him glory and produce lasting spiritual fruit?**

### FAQ
**What does "sowing wheat, but shall reap thorns" mean metaphorically?**

Answer: This powerful metaphor signifies a complete and devastating reversal of expected outcomes, directly attributed to divine judgment. "Sowing wheat" represents the diligent investment of effort, time, and resources into something valuable and productive, with the natural expectation of a good, nourishing, and profitable return. "Reaping thorns," however, means that despite all the strenuous effort, the actual outcome is worthless, painful, and utterly unproductive. It vividly illustrates the principle that when individuals or nations live in persistent disobedience to God, their labor, no matter how intense or well-intentioned, will ultimately yield bitter disappointment, profound shame, and spiritual barrenness instead of the anticipated prosperity or gain. It serves as a striking image of futility and a divine curse upon unrighteous endeavors, emphasizing that true and lasting profit comes only through God's blessing, which is contingent upon faithfulness and obedience, a truth consistently taught throughout the prophetic books, as exemplified in [Isaiah 5:2](/isaiah/5-2 "Isaiah 5:2 - The Vineyard of the Lord Yields Wild Grapes").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 12:13, with its stark imagery of futile human labor yielding a cursed harvest, finds its ultimate and profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the redemptive work of Jesus. Humanity, through its inherent sin and persistent rebellion, has consistently "sown thorns" of self-reliance, idolatry, and disobedience, leading inevitably to a harvest of spiritual death and eternal separation from God [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin"). We "put ourselves to pain" in our striving for self-righteousness or earthly profit apart from God, only to discover that we "shall not profit" spiritually, for "all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment" in His sight [Isaiah 64:6](/isaiah/64-6 "Isaiah 64:6 - Our Righteousness as Filthy Rags"). However, Jesus Christ, the perfect "wheat" of God, willingly entered this cursed reality. He was "sown" into the earth, enduring the "thorns" of our sin—the very curse of the law—and the full weight of the "fierce anger of the LORD" on the cross, becoming a curse for us that we might be redeemed [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse"). Through His perfect obedience and sacrificial death, He transformed the cursed harvest of humanity into a harvest of righteousness, forgiveness, and eternal life for all who believe. We no longer reap the thorns of our own futile efforts, but by faith in Him, we "profit" eternally, receiving the abundant fruit of His perfect obedience and the blessing of reconciliation with God [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us"). He is the true revenue, the ultimate profit, who takes away our shame and offers us an everlasting harvest of grace, peace, and glory.

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

Deuteronomy 28:38

Thou shalt carry much seed out into the field, and shalt gather [but] little in; for the locust shall consume it.

Micah 6:15

Thou shalt sow, but thou shalt not reap; thou shalt tread the olives, but thou shalt not anoint thee with oil; and sweet wine, but shalt not drink wine.

Haggai 1:6

Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages [to put it] into a bag with holes.

Isaiah 55:2

Wherefore do ye spend money for [that which is] not bread? and your labour for [that which] satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye [that which is] good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

Leviticus 26:16

I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it.

Jeremiah 25:37

And the peaceable habitations are cut down because of the fierce anger of the LORD.

Jeremiah 25:38

He hath forsaken his covert, as the lion: for their land is desolate because of the fierceness of the oppressor, and because of his fierce anger.