Jeremiah 12:13

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.

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}.

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.

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.โ€

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

Context of Jeremiah 12:13

Jeremiah 12:13 is part of a prophetic dialogue where Jeremiah laments the prosperity of the wicked (Jeremiah 12:1) and God responds by assuring judgment upon Judah and its unfaithful inhabitants. This verse specifically addresses the futility of their efforts and the severe consequences of their rebellion against the Lord. It speaks to the period leading up to the Babylonian exile, where Judahโ€™s persistent idolatry and injustice would lead to divine discipline, despite any outward appearances of prosperity or religious activity.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Futility of Disobedience: The core message is that efforts expended in defiance of God's will, or without genuine faith, will ultimately yield no positive return. "Sowing wheat, but shall reap thorns" is a powerful agricultural metaphor for wasted labor and bitter outcomes. What they hoped would bring sustenance and gain would instead bring pain and worthlessness.
  • Divine Judgment and Consequences: The verse highlights the certainty and severity of God's judgment against sin. The phrase "fierce anger of the LORD" underscores that the negative outcomes are not accidental but a direct result of divine displeasure provoked by their actions. This judgment leads to shame and loss, rather than the expected "revenues" or profits.
  • The Principle of Sowing and Reaping: This verse powerfully illustrates the universal spiritual law that one reaps what one sows. While they put in effort ("put themselves to pain"), their spiritual and moral sowing was corrupt, leading inevitably to a corrupt harvest. This principle is echoed throughout Scripture, notably in Galatians 6:7, and specifically in negative terms like Hosea 8:7, "they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind."

Linguistic Insights

The imagery of "sowing wheat, but shall reap thorns" is vivid and speaks to the complete reversal of expectation. Wheat represents valuable, nourishing grain, while thorns are useless, painful, and symbolize the curse and barrenness (cf. Genesis 3:18). The Hebrew word for "fierce anger" (ื—ึฒืจื•ึนืŸ ืึทืฃ - charon aph) literally means "burning of anger" or "nose-burning," conveying intense, hot displeasure, often associated with God's righteous wrath against covenant breaking and deep rebellion.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 12:13 serves as a timeless warning for individuals and nations. It challenges us to examine the foundation of our efforts and ambitions. Are we building on obedience to God's word and genuine faith, or are we investing our lives and resources in ways that ultimately defy Him? Any perceived success or gain achieved through unrighteousness or self-reliance will prove to be "thorns" โ€“ ultimately unprofitable and a source of shame in the face of God's justice. The verse calls for introspection, urging us to align our actions with God's will to avoid the bitter harvest of disobedience and instead seek the blessings that come from faithful living and genuine repentance (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 28:38 (6 votes)

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

  • Micah 6:15 (6 votes)

    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 (6 votes)

    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 (5 votes)

    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 (5 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

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

  • Jeremiah 25:38 (3 votes)

    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.