Proverbs 22:8
He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.
Original Language Analysis
זוֹרֵ֣עַ
He that soweth
H2232
זוֹרֵ֣עַ
He that soweth
Strong's:
H2232
Word #:
1 of 7
to sow; figuratively, to disseminate, plant, fructify
יִקְצָור
shall reap
H7114
יִקְצָור
shall reap
Strong's:
H7114
Word #:
3 of 7
to dock off, i.e., curtail (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative); especially to harvest (grass or grain)
אָ֑וֶן
vanity
H205
אָ֑וֶן
vanity
Strong's:
H205
Word #:
4 of 7
strictly nothingness; also trouble, vanity, wickedness; specifically an idol
וְשֵׁ֖בֶט
and the rod
H7626
וְשֵׁ֖בֶט
and the rod
Strong's:
H7626
Word #:
5 of 7
a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
Cross References
Job 4:8Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.Isaiah 30:31For through the voice of the LORD shall the Assyrian be beaten down, which smote with a rod.Hosea 10:13Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.Psalms 125:3For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.Proverbs 14:3In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.Isaiah 14:29Rejoice not thou, whole Palestina, because the rod of him that smote thee is broken: for out of the serpent's root shall come forth a cockatrice, and his fruit shall be a fiery flying serpent.Isaiah 10:5O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation.Isaiah 9:4For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.Hosea 8:7For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up.
Historical Context
Ancient agricultural metaphors were immediately understood. Just as bad seed yielded poor harvests, so wicked actions produced disastrous consequences, both in this life and eternally.
Questions for Reflection
- What seeds are you sowing in your life—righteousness or iniquity?
- How have you seen the principle of sowing and reaping at work in your experience?
- What hope does this proverb offer to those suffering under oppression?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
He who sows 'iniquity' reaps 'vanity' (Hebrew 'awen'—trouble, sorrow), and 'the rod of his anger shall fail.' The sowing-reaping metaphor appears throughout Scripture (Galatians 6:7-8). Injustice produces its own punishment—trouble and emptiness, not the prosperity the wicked expect. The 'rod of his anger' (instrument of oppression) will be broken. Reformed theology affirms God's justice: the wicked's schemes ultimately fail. This is both encouragement for the oppressed and warning for oppressors. God will not be mocked; what we sow, we reap.