Deuteronomy 28:39
Thou shalt plant vineyards, and dress them, but shalt neither drink of the wine, nor gather the grapes; for the worms shall eat them.
Original Language Analysis
תִּטַּ֖ע
Thou shalt plant
H5193
תִּטַּ֖ע
Thou shalt plant
Strong's:
H5193
Word #:
2 of 11
properly, to strike in, i.e., fix; specifically, to plant (literally or figuratively)
וְעָבָ֑דְתָּ
and dress
H5647
וְעָבָ֑דְתָּ
and dress
Strong's:
H5647
Word #:
3 of 11
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
וְיַ֤יִן
of the wine
H3196
וְיַ֤יִן
of the wine
Strong's:
H3196
Word #:
4 of 11
wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 11
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִשְׁתֶּה֙
them but shalt neither drink
H8354
תִשְׁתֶּה֙
them but shalt neither drink
Strong's:
H8354
Word #:
6 of 11
to imbibe (literally or figuratively)
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
7 of 11
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
9 of 11
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Historical Context
Vineyards represented long-term economic stability in ancient Israel. Losing vineyard harvests year after year would create grinding poverty and hopelessness. Micah 6:15 echoes this curse: "Thou shalt tread the olives, but thou shalt not anoint thee with oil; and sweet wine, but shalt not drink wine."
Questions for Reflection
- What does planting but never harvesting teach about the frustration of life outside God's blessing?
- How does the vineyard imagery connect Deuteronomy's curses to later prophetic warnings and Jesus's parables?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Thou shalt plant vineyards, and dress them, but shalt neither drink of the wine, nor gather the grapes; for the worms shall eat them. Vineyards required years of cultivation before bearing fruit—this curse meant long-term investment without any return. The Hebrew tola'at (worm/grub) would destroy vines before harvest, compounding frustration. Isaiah 5:1-7 later used failed vineyard as metaphor for Israel's spiritual fruitlessness despite God's careful cultivation.
Wine symbolized covenant blessing and joy (Psalm 104:15). To plant vineyards but never taste wine meant existing without joy, experiencing perpetual disappointment. This anticipates Jesus's vineyard parables where unfaithful tenants lose everything (Matthew 21:33-41).