King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 12:13 Mean?

Jeremiah 12:13 in the King James Version says “They have sown wheat, but shall reap thorns: they have put themselves to pain, but shall not profit: and they shall be a...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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 shall: or, ye shall”

Jeremiah 12:13 · KJV

Context

11

They have made it desolate, and being desolate it mourneth unto me; the whole land is made desolate, because no man layeth it to heart.

12

The spoilers are come upon all high places through the wilderness: for the sword of the LORD shall devour from the one end of the land even to the other end of the land: no flesh shall have peace.

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. they shall: or, ye shall

14

Thus saith the LORD against all mine evil neighbours, that touch the inheritance which I have caused my people Israel to inherit; Behold, I will pluck them out of their land, and pluck out the house of Judah from among them.

15

And it shall come to pass, after that I have plucked them out I will return, and have compassion on them, and will bring them again, every man to his heritage, and every man to his land.

Read Jeremiah 12 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse announces futile labor: 'They have sown wheat, but shall reap thorns.' The Hebrew chitta (חִטָּה, wheat) versus qotsim (קֹצִים, thorns) reverses expected harvest. 'They have put themselves to pain, but shall not profit.' The Hebrew nichlah (נֶחֱלוּ, be sick, pain oneself) indicates exhausting effort without benefit (ya'il, profit). 'And they shall be ashamed of your revenues because of the fierce anger of the LORD.' 'Revenues' (tevu'oth, produce, income) bring shame (bush) rather than pride. The 'fierce anger of the LORD' (charon aph YHWH) explains the reversal—divine wrath nullifies human labor. The verse echoes covenant curses (Deuteronomy 28:38-40) promising futile agricultural labor.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Covenant curses promised that disobedience would result in planting but not harvesting, laboring but not benefiting (Leviticus 26:16, 20; Deuteronomy 28:38-40). During Babylon's invasions, agricultural cycles were disrupted—fields planted could not be harvested due to warfare. The frustration of fruitless labor was both physical (actual crop failure) and theological (covenant curse activation).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does 'sowing wheat but reaping thorns' express the futility of effort under divine judgment?
  2. What contemporary applications exist for laboring in ways that cannot profit because they contradict God's purposes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
זָרְע֤וּ1 of 12

“They have sown”

H2232

to sow; figuratively, to disseminate, plant, fructify

חִטִּים֙2 of 12

“wheat”

H2406

wheat, whether the grain or the plant

וְקֹצִ֣ים3 of 12

“thorns”

H6975

a thorn

קָצָ֔רוּ4 of 12

“but shall reap”

H7114

to dock off, i.e., curtail (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative); especially to harvest (grass or grain)

נֶחְל֖וּ5 of 12

“they have put themselves to pain”

H2470

properly, to be rubbed or worn; hence (figuratively) to stroke (in flattering), entreat

לֹ֣א6 of 12
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יוֹעִ֑לוּ7 of 12

“but shall not profit”

H3276

properly, to ascend; figuratively, to be valuable (objectively; useful, subjectively; benefited)

וּבֹ֙שׁוּ֙8 of 12

“and they shall be ashamed”

H954

properly, to pale, i.e., by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be disappointed or delayed

מִתְּבוּאֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם9 of 12

“of your revenues”

H8393

income, i.e., produce (literally or figuratively)

מֵחֲר֖וֹן10 of 12

“because of the fierce”

H2740

a burning of anger

אַף11 of 12

“anger”

H639

properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire

יְהוָֽה׃12 of 12

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 12:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 12:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Micah 6:15Deuteronomy 28:38Haggai 1:6Leviticus 26:16Isaiah 55:2Jeremiah 25:37-38

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