Deuteronomy Chapter 22 · Verse 9

Authorized King James Version

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Thou shalt not sow thy vineyard with divers seeds: lest the fruit of thy seed which thou hast sown, and the fruit of thy vineyard, be defiled.

Original Language Analysis

לֹֽא H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 1 of 12
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִּזְרָ֔ע Thou shalt not sow H2232
תִּזְרָ֔ע Thou shalt not sow
Strong's: H2232
Word #: 2 of 12
to sow; figuratively, to disseminate, plant, fructify
הַכָּֽרֶם׃ of thy vineyard H3754
הַכָּֽרֶם׃ of thy vineyard
Strong's: H3754
Word #: 3 of 12
a garden or vineyard
כִּלְאָ֑יִם with divers seeds H3610
כִּלְאָ֑יִם with divers seeds
Strong's: H3610
Word #: 4 of 12
two heterogeneities
פֶּן H6435
פֶּן
Strong's: H6435
Word #: 5 of 12
properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest
תִּקְדַּ֗שׁ be defiled H6942
תִּקְדַּ֗שׁ be defiled
Strong's: H6942
Word #: 6 of 12
to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)
הַֽמְלֵאָ֤ה lest the fruit H4395
הַֽמְלֵאָ֤ה lest the fruit
Strong's: H4395
Word #: 7 of 12
something fulfilled, i.e., abundance (of produce)
הַזֶּ֙רַע֙ of thy seed H2233
הַזֶּ֙רַע֙ of thy seed
Strong's: H2233
Word #: 8 of 12
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
אֲשֶׁ֣ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 9 of 12
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
תִּזְרָ֔ע Thou shalt not sow H2232
תִּזְרָ֔ע Thou shalt not sow
Strong's: H2232
Word #: 10 of 12
to sow; figuratively, to disseminate, plant, fructify
וּתְבוּאַ֖ת and the fruit H8393
וּתְבוּאַ֖ת and the fruit
Strong's: H8393
Word #: 11 of 12
income, i.e., produce (literally or figuratively)
הַכָּֽרֶם׃ of thy vineyard H3754
הַכָּֽרֶם׃ of thy vineyard
Strong's: H3754
Word #: 12 of 12
a garden or vineyard

Analysis & Commentary

Thou shalt not sow thy vineyard with divers seeds—The Hebrew kil'ayim (divers kinds/mixed seeds) refers to forbidden mixture, violating created order. Lest the fruit of thy seed which thou hast sown, and the fruit of thy vineyard, be defiled—Qadash (defiled/consecrated) here means 'become holy' in the technical sense of being set apart to the sanctuary, forfeited to God's exclusive use, unavailable for personal consumption.

This law symbolizes covenant separation—Israel must not mix with pagan nations or practices (Exodus 34:12-16). The principle extends beyond agriculture to every area of life: maintain distinctive holiness, avoid syncretism, preserve boundaries God established. Paul applies this in 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 ('unequally yoked') regarding spiritual compromise. The law taught Israel to see all of life through the lens of God's created order and covenant distinctiveness—even farming bore theological meaning.

Historical Context

This law was given to agricultural Israel entering Canaan (circa 1406 BC). Mixed planting was common in pagan agriculture, often connected to fertility cult rituals attempting to manipulate nature through magical mixture. Israel's distinctiveness extended even to farming practices, constantly reminding them of covenantal separation. Violation resulted in economic loss (forfeiture to sanctuary) and taught that compromising God's order brings consequences. These laws cultivated a mindset of holiness in every sphere—nothing was 'secular,' all of life was lived before God.

Questions for Reflection