Jeremiah 12:13
Jeremiah 12:13 in Multiple Translations
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.”
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 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.
Though good grain was planted, they have got in thorns: they have given themselves pain without profit: they will be shamed on account of their produce, because of the burning wrath of the Lord.
My people sowed wheat but harvested thorns. They wore themselves out but gained no benefit. You should be ashamed of such a poor harvest, caused by the Lord's furious anger.
They haue sowen wheate, and reaped thornes: they were sicke, and had no profite: and they were ashamed of your fruites, because of the fierce wrath of the Lord.
They sowed wheat, and have thorns reaped, They have become sick — they profit not, And they have been ashamed of your increases, Because of the fierceness of the anger of Jehovah.
They have sown wheat, and have reaped thorns. They have exhausted themselves, and profit nothing. You will be ashamed of your fruits, because of the LORD’s fierce anger.”
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 wheat, and reaped thorns: they have received an inheritance, and it shall not profit them: you shall be ashamed of your fruits, because of the fierce wrath of the Lord.
It is as though my people planted wheat, but now they are harvesting thorns. They have become very tired because of much hard work, but they have gained nothing from all that work. They will be very disappointed because their harvests will be very small, and that will happen because I, Yahweh, am extremely angry with them.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 12:13
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
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.
Jeremiah 12:13 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
זָרְע֤וּ
חִטִּים֙
וְ/קֹצִ֣ים
קָצָ֔רוּ
נֶחְל֖וּ
לֹ֣א
יוֹעִ֑לוּ
וּ/בֹ֨שׁוּ֙
מִ/תְּבוּאֹ֣תֵי/כֶ֔ם
מֵ/חֲר֖וֹן
אַף
יְהוָֽה
זָרְע֤וּ
zâraʻ
H2232
to sow
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
חִטִּים֙
chiṭṭâh
H2406
wheat
N-fp
וְ/קֹצִ֣ים
qôwts
H6975
thorn
Conj | N-mp
קָצָ֔רוּ
qâtsar
H7114
be short
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
נֶחְל֖וּ
châlâh
H2470
be weak
V-Niphal-Perf-3cp
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
יוֹעִ֑לוּ
yaʻal
H3276
to gain
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3mp
וּ/בֹ֨שׁוּ֙
bûwsh
H954
be ashamed
Conj | V-Qal-Impv-2mp
מִ/תְּבוּאֹ֣תֵי/כֶ֔ם
tᵉbûwʼâh
H8393
produce
Prep | N-fp | Suff
מֵ/חֲר֖וֹן
chârôwn
H2740
burning anger
Prep | N-ms
אַף
ʼaph
H639
face
DirObjM
יְהוָֽה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 12:13
זָרְע֤וּ
zâraʻ
H2232
"to sow"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
To sow or plant seed is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which also has figurative uses like spreading ideas or producing spiritual fruit. It appears in various forms, such as conceiving or yielding seed, and is used in biblical passages like Genesis and Psalm 107.
Definition: 1) to sow, scatter seed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sow 1a2) producing, yielding seed 1b)(Niphal) 1b1) to be sown 1b2) to become pregnant, be made pregnant 1c) (Pual) to be sown 1d) (Hiphil) to produce seed, yield seed
Usage: Occurs in 54 OT verses. KJV: bear, conceive seed, set with sow(-er), yield. See also: Genesis 1:11; Psalms 107:37; Psalms 97:11.
חִטִּים֙
chiṭṭâh
H2406
"wheat"
N-fp
This word means wheat, whether the plant or the grain. It is used in the Bible to describe fields of wheat, like those in the story of Ruth and Boaz.
Definition: 1) wheat 1a) wheat (plant) 1b) wheat flour Aramaic equivalent: chin.tah (חִנְטָה "wheat" H2591)
Usage: Occurs in 30 OT verses. KJV: wheat(-en). See also: Genesis 30:14; 1 Chronicles 21:23; Psalms 81:17.
וְ/קֹצִ֣ים
qôwts
H6975
"thorn"
Conj | N-mp
This Hebrew word simply means a thorn, like the thorns that grew in the ground after Adam and Eve sinned in Genesis 3:18. It can also refer to a thornbush, as in Judges 9:14.
Definition: 1) thorn, thornbush 1a) thornbush 1b) thorn
Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: thorn. See also: Genesis 3:18; Isaiah 32:13; Psalms 118:12.
קָצָ֔רוּ
qâtsar
H7114
"be short"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
This Hebrew word means to reap or harvest, like cutting down grain or grass. It is used in the Bible to describe the act of harvesting, and also to describe being discouraged or grieved.
Definition: 1) to be short, be impatient, be vexed, be grieved 1a) (Qal) to be short 1b) (Piel) to shorten 1c) (Hiphil) to shorten
Usage: Occurs in 46 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, cut down, much discouraged, grieve, harvestman, lothe, mourn, reap(-er), (be, wax) short(-en, -er), straiten, trouble, vex. See also: Leviticus 19:9; Job 24:6; Psalms 89:46.
נֶחְל֖וּ
châlâh
H2470
"be weak"
V-Niphal-Perf-3cp
To beg or entreat means to ask or pray for something, often with a sense of weakness or sickness, like when someone is grieving or in pain.
Definition: : weak/disabled 1) to be or become weak, be or become sick, be or become diseased, be or become grieved, be or become sorry 1a) (Qal) to be weak, be sick 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to be or become weak, feel weak 1b2) to become sick, become ill 1c) (Niphal) 1c1) to make oneself sick 1c2) to be made sick 1c3) to be tired 1d) (Pual) to be made weak, become weak 1e) (Hithpael) to make oneself sick 1f) (Hiphil) 1f1) to make sore 1f2) to make sick 1f3) to show signs of sickness, become sick 1f4) to grieve 1g) (Hophal) 1g1) to be made sick 1g2) to be wounded
Usage: Occurs in 73 OT verses. KJV: beseech, (be) diseased, (put to) grief, be grieved, (be) grievous, infirmity, intreat, lay to, put to pain, [idiom] pray, make prayer, be (fall, make) sick, sore, be sorry, make suit ([idiom] supplication), woman in travail, be (become) weak, be wounded. See also: Genesis 48:1; Psalms 119:58; Psalms 35:13.
לֹ֣א
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.
יוֹעִ֑לוּ
yaʻal
H3276
"to gain"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3mp
This Hebrew word means to gain or ascend, and can also mean to be valuable or beneficial. It is used in various forms in the Bible to convey the idea of profit or advantage.
Definition: (Hiphil) to gain, profit, benefit, avail
Usage: Occurs in 21 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, set forward, can do good, (be, have) profit, (able). See also: 1 Samuel 12:21; Isaiah 44:10; Proverbs 10:2.
וּ/בֹ֨שׁוּ֙
bûwsh
H954
"be ashamed"
Conj | V-Qal-Impv-2mp
To be ashamed is what this Hebrew word means, implying a feeling of guilt or disappointment. It is used to describe someone who is disconcerted or delayed, like in the story of Adam and Eve. Shame is a strong emotion.
Definition: 1) to put to shame, be ashamed, be disconcerted, be disappointed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to feel shame 1a2) to be ashamed, disconcerted, disappointed (by reason of) 1b) (Piel) to delay (in shame) 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to put to shame 1c2) to act shamefully 1c3) to be ashamed 1d) (Hithpolel) to be ashamed before one another
Usage: Occurs in 105 OT verses. KJV: (be, make, bring to, cause, put to, with, a-) shamed(-d), be (put to) confounded(-fusion), become dry, delay, be long. See also: Genesis 2:25; Isaiah 24:23; Psalms 6:11.
מִ/תְּבוּאֹ֣תֵי/כֶ֔ם
tᵉbûwʼâh
H8393
"produce"
Prep | N-fp | Suff
This word means produce or income, referring to crops, revenue, or even the product of our lips. It is translated as fruit, gain, or revenue in the KJV Bible.
Definition: 1) produce, product, revenue 1a) product, yield, crops (of the earth usually) 1b) income, revenue 1c) gain (of wisdom) (fig) 1d) product of lips (fig)
Usage: Occurs in 40 OT verses. KJV: fruit, gain, increase, revenue. See also: Genesis 47:24; 2 Kings 8:6; Psalms 107:37.
מֵ/חֲר֖וֹן
chârôwn
H2740
"burning anger"
Prep | N-ms
This Hebrew word describes God's burning anger or fierce wrath, often used in the Bible to convey His intense emotions. It is used to describe God's anger towards sin and disobedience, and appears in various translations as sore displeasure or fury. This word emphasizes the seriousness of God's emotions.
Definition: 1) anger, heat, burning (of anger) 1a) always used of God's anger
Usage: Occurs in 40 OT verses. KJV: sore displeasure, fierce(-ness), fury, (fierce) wrath(-ful). See also: Exodus 15:7; Psalms 88:17; Psalms 2:5.
אַף
ʼaph
H639
"face"
DirObjM
This Hebrew word can mean face, but also anger or nose. It is used to describe someone's countenance or emotions, like anger or patience. In the Bible, it appears in various contexts, including descriptions of God's emotions.
Definition: : face 1) nostril, nose, face 2) anger
Usage: Occurs in 269 OT verses. KJV: anger(-gry), [phrase] before, countenance, face, [phrase] forebearing, forehead, [phrase] (long-) suffering, nose, nostril, snout, [idiom] worthy, wrath. See also: Genesis 2:7; Nehemiah 8:6; Psalms 2:5.
יְהוָֽה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
Study Notes — Jeremiah 12:13
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Jeremiah 12:13 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 12:13
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 12:13
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 12:13
- Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 12:13
- Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 12:13
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 12:13
- Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 12:13
- Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 12:13
- Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 12:13
- Sermons on Jeremiah 12:13
Context — God’s Answer to Jeremiah
11They have made it a desolation; desolate before Me, it mourns. All the land is laid waste, but no man takes it to heart.
12Over all the barren heights in the wilderness the destroyers have come, for the sword of the LORD devours from one end of the earth to the other. No flesh has peace.
13They 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.”
14This is what the LORD says: “As for all My evil neighbors who attack the inheritance that I bequeathed to My people Israel, I am about to uproot them from their land, and I will uproot the house of Judah from among them. 15But after I have uprooted them, I will once again have compassion on them and return each one to his inheritance and to his land.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Micah 6:15 | You will sow but not reap; you will press olives but not anoint yourselves with oil; you will tread grapes but not drink the wine. |
| 2 | Deuteronomy 28:38 | You will sow much seed in the field but harvest little, because the locusts will consume it. |
| 3 | Haggai 1:6 | You have planted much but harvested little. You eat but never have enough. You drink but never have your fill. You put on clothes but never get warm. You earn wages to put into a bag pierced through.” |
| 4 | Isaiah 55:2 | Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods. |
| 5 | Leviticus 26:16 | then this is what I will do to you: I will bring upon you sudden terror, wasting disease, and fever that will destroy your sight and drain your life. You will sow your seed in vain, because your enemies will eat it. |
| 6 | Habakkuk 2:13 | Is it not indeed from the LORD of Hosts that the labor of the people only feeds the fire, and the nations weary themselves in vain? |
| 7 | Jeremiah 25:37–38 | The peaceful meadows have been silenced because of the LORD’s burning anger. He has left His den like a lion, for their land has been made a desolation by the sword of the oppressor, and because of the fierce anger of the LORD. |
| 8 | Jeremiah 4:26 | I looked, and the fruitful land was a desert. All its cities were torn down before the LORD, before His fierce anger. |
| 9 | Jeremiah 3:23–25 | Surely deception comes from the hills, and commotion from the mountains. Surely the salvation of Israel is in the LORD our God. From our youth, that shameful god has consumed what our fathers have worked for— their flocks and herds, their sons and daughters. Let us lie down in our shame; let our disgrace cover us. We have sinned against the LORD our God, both we and our fathers; from our youth even to this day we have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God.” |
| 10 | Haggai 2:16–17 | from that time, when one came expecting a heap of twenty ephahs of grain, there were but ten. When one came to the winepress to draw out fifty baths, there were but twenty. I struck you—all the work of your hands—with blight, mildew, and hail, but you did not turn to Me, declares the LORD. |
Jeremiah 12:13 Summary
[This verse means that when we disobey God and make wrong choices, we can expect bad consequences, like the Israelites did when they 'sowed wheat but harvested thorns', as seen in Jeremiah 12:13. It's like planting a good seed, but because of our sin, it grows into something bad. This is similar to what Jesus taught in Matthew 13:24-30, where He explains that good and bad can grow together. The 'fierce anger of the Lord' is God's way of disciplining us and calling us back to Himself, as seen in Deuteronomy 29:27-28.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'sow wheat but harvest thorns' in Jeremiah 12:13?
This phrase is a metaphor for the Israelites' failed expectations and the consequences of their sinful actions, as seen in Jeremiah 12:13, and is reminiscent of the parable in Matthew 13:24-30 where Jesus explains the mixture of good and bad in the world.
Why did the Israelites 'exhaust themselves to no avail'?
The Israelites worked hard, but their efforts were in vain because they had turned away from God and were no longer under His blessing, as seen in Jeremiah 12:13, and is similar to the principle in Haggai 1:6 where the people's labor is not fruitful due to their disobedience.
What is the 'fierce anger of the LORD' mentioned in this verse?
The 'fierce anger of the LORD' refers to God's righteous judgment and discipline, as seen in Jeremiah 12:13, and is consistent with other passages like Deuteronomy 29:27-28, where God's anger is a response to the people's disobedience and idolatry.
How does this verse relate to the concept of reaping what we sow?
Jeremiah 12:13 illustrates the principle of Galatians 6:7-8, where it is written that we will reap what we sow, and the Israelites are reaping the consequences of their sinful actions, which is a reminder that our choices have consequences, as seen in Jeremiah 12:13 and other passages like Proverbs 22:8.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I may be 'sowing wheat' but 'harvesting thorns', and how can I realign my actions with God's will?
- In what ways have I experienced the 'fierce anger of the Lord' in my life, and how have I responded to His discipline?
- How can I apply the principle of reaping what we sow in my daily life, and what choices can I make to ensure a good harvest?
- What are some idols or sinful patterns in my life that may be causing me to 'exhaust myself to no avail', and how can I turn away from them and towards God?
Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 12:13
They have sown wheat, but shall reap thorns,.... Which may be understood literally, the land of Judea being cursed for their sins, and become barren and unfruitful, as the earth originally was for
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 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.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 12:13
They have sown wheat, but shall reap thorns: if these words be understood literally, they only signify that God would blast the labours of the husbandman, and curse them in the field. The earth’ s bringing forth thorns and thistles was part of the curse for the first transgression of man, . God’ s blasting the labours of husbandmen is often threatened as a punishment of sin. See . If it be taken metaphorically, it is expounded by the next words. They have put themselves to pain, but shall not profit; that they should labour in vain, all the works of their hands, all their counsels and deliberations, should be of no profit or avail unto them. They shall be ashamed of your revenues because of the fierce anger of the Lord; the fierce anger of God against them shall be so showed, that the returns of their labours or estates, the profits of their trades, &c., shall be so small that they shall be ashamed of them.
Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 12:13
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.Ver. 13. They have sown wheat.] The prophets have, say some, but to no profit. They shall put themselves to pain.] Or, They are sick, sc., for the affliction of Joseph. Others interpret it of the Jews, who sought to help themselves by this means and that, but lost their labours and their hopes together. Because of the fierce anger of the Lord.] Quo laeso nihil est illaesum, tutum, et fidum hominibus. Vatab.
Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 12:13
(13) But shall reap thorns.—Better, have reaped thorns; and so in the next clause they have profited nothing. This which is truer to the Hebrew is also truer to the Prophet’s meaning. The sentence of failure is already written on everything. The best plans are marred, the “wheat” turned to “thorns.” The words are obviously of the nature of a proverbial saying, of the same type as that of Hag 1:6. They shall be ashamed.—The word is imperative, be ashamed.Revenues.—The word had not acquired, at the time of the translation of 1611, the exclusively financial sense which now attaches to it, and was used as equivalent to increase or “produce” generally. By some commentators the words are referred to the conquerors, who are to be ashamed of their scanty spoil; by others to the conquered, who are to find all their hopes of increase disappointed. The latter seems preferable.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 12:13
Verse 13. They have sown wheat, but shall reap thorns] All their projects shall fail: none of their enterprises shall succeed. They are enemies to God, and therefore cannot have his blessing.
Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 12:13
13. The v., at least in its present context, is obscure. The subject is either (a) the spoilers, whose disasters, however, belong not to this but to the following paragraph, or (b) Judah, in which case the expressions are unsuited to the previous description of their attitude. Co. suggests that it should follow immediately on Jeremiah 12:4, but even so its connexion with that v. is not obvious. ye … your] Read they … their. ashamed] See on Jeremiah 2:26.
Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 12:13
Shall reap ... shall not profit - Rather, have reaped ... have profited nothing. The force of the proverb is that all their labors had ended only in disappointment.
Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 12:13
13. Sown wheat… reap thorns — Apparently an aphorism for coming to the opposite of what is aimed at. Revenues — Produce, the old meaning of this word.
Sermons on Jeremiah 12:13
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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It's Not Enough to Get Out of Babylon by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher criticizes the trend of showcase charities that are primarily focused on raising money for airtime and advertisement. He warns that ministers will be h |
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Come, Buy, and Eat (Compilation) by Compilations | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the need for believers to forsake their wicked ways and unrighteous thoughts. He urges them not to conform to the ways of the world but to b |
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It's Time to Seek the Lord by Denny Kenaston | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the importance of seeking the Lord in good times. He refers to the story of King Asa in 2 Chronicles 14 as an example of seeking God's bless |
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Caleb - a Different Spirit by Gareth Evans | In this sermon, the speaker recounts a conversation with a young Chinese businessman who had a profound understanding of the concept of a perfect Lamb in Christianity. The speaker |
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Listening, Unburdening & Worshipping - Part 1 by Zac Poonen | This sermon focuses on the story of Mary of Bethany and how Jesus elevated women in society, emphasizing the importance of learning from godly women and embracing equality between |
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Dwelling in Ceiled Houses by David Dalton | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the need for individuals and the church as a whole to prioritize glorifying God rather than themselves. He highlights the importance of allo |
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Are You Walking the Walk or Talking the Walk - Part 4 by Will Graham | This sermon emphasizes the importance of true biblical faith that goes beyond mere intellectual understanding, highlighting the significance of speaking God's truth boldly even if |