Jeremiah 12:13

God’s Answer to Jeremiah · Jeremiah 12:5–13
Read Jeremiah 12

Translations

Modern
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.”
Traditional
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.
Literal
They have sown wheat and have reaped thorns; they have wearied themselves; they did not profit. And they have been ashamed of your produce, because of the burning nose of YHWH.”
Latin
Seminaverunt triticum, et spinas messuerunt: hæreditatem acceperunt, et non eis proderit. Confundemini a fructibus vestris propter iram furoris Domini.

Original

Hebrew
English
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.”

Notes

The Lord felt no joy when invaders ate his people's crops, leaving only thorns. However, the people of Judah turned away from their faith, which deserved the Lord's fierce anger (see Ezekiel 16:36–39), leading to their shame.

The corrupt rulers of Judah had already ruined the land by leading the people into sin (for example, 2 Kings 16:8–19; 21:16; 23:33–35). The invading army would just finish the job.

God referred to the people of Judah as his special possession, his dearest ones, his chosen people, and his vineyard. However, they became hostile to him, so they had to be given over to their enemies. The most severe justice they could face was for the Lord to withdraw and let them suffer the consequences of their evil actions.

The Lord corrected his messenger and answered his question by asking his own questions.

Theme notes and profiles

Social Chaos in Judges

Events

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (Old Testament) Book of Jeremiah Jeremiah (Person)

Topics

Agriculture or Farming: Produce of, often Blasted Because of Sin Agriculture: Fruits Blasted Because of Sin Agriculture: Sowing Wheat, but Reaping Thorns Deserts: Desolation by Armies Herbs: Wheat Jeremiah: The Prophet: Over the Desolation of God's Heritage Reaping: Often Unprofitable on Account of Sin Seed: The Jews Punished by Its Being Choked by Thorns Vanity: Evil People: Reap Vanity: The Wicked: Reap Wheat of Self-Rigteousness