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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Jeremiah 12:13 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."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/jeremiah/12-13.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/24_Jer_12_13.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Jeremiah 12:13 - God's Answer to Jeremiah" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="They have sown wheat but harvested thorns. They have exhausted themselves to no avail. 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They will bear the shame of their harvest because of the LORD&#8217s fierce anger.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/jeremiah/12.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />My people have planted wheat but are harvesting thorns. They have worn themselves out, but it has done them no good. They will harvest a crop of shame because of the fierce anger of the LORD.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/jeremiah/12.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />They have sown wheat and have reaped thorns; they have tired themselves out but profit nothing. They shall be ashamed of their harvests because of the fierce anger of the LORD.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/jeremiah/12.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />They have sown wheat, but shall reap thorns: they have put themselves to pain, <i>but</i> shall not profit: and they shall be ashamed of your revenues because of the fierce anger of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/jeremiah/12.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />They have sown wheat but reaped thorns; They have put themselves to pain <i>but</i> do not profit. But be ashamed of your harvest Because of the fierce anger of the LORD.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/jeremiah/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“They have sown wheat but have harvested thorns, They have strained themselves to no profit. So be ashamed of your produce Because of the fierce anger of the LORD.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/12.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220They have sown wheat and have reaped thorns, They have strained themselves to no profit. But be ashamed of your harvest Because of the fierce anger of the LORD.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/jeremiah/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“They have sown wheat and have reaped thorns, They have strained themselves to no profit. But be ashamed of your harvest Because of the fierce anger of the LORD.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/jeremiah/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />They have sown wheat and have reaped thorns; They have strained themselves to no profit. But be ashamed of your produce Because of the burning anger of Yahweh.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/jeremiah/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“They have planted wheat but have reaped thorns; They have exhausted themselves but without profit. So be ashamed of your harvest Because of the fierce <i>and</i> raging anger of the LORD.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/jeremiah/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They have sown wheat but harvested thorns. They have exhausted themselves but have no profit. Be put to shame by your harvests because of the LORD’s burning anger.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/jeremiah/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They have sown wheat but harvested thorns. They have exhausted themselves but have no profit. Be put to shame by your harvests because of the LORD&#8217s burning anger. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/jeremiah/12.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />They have sown wheat, and have reaped thorns; they have put themselves to pain, and profit nothing: and ye shall be ashamed of your fruits, because of the fierce anger of Jehovah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/jeremiah/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />My people, you planted wheat, but because I was furious, I let only weeds grow. You wore yourselves out and gained only shame! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/jeremiah/12.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />They have sown wheat, and have reaped thorns; they have put themselves to pain, and profit nothing: and ye shall be ashamed of your fruits, because of the fierce anger of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/jeremiah/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />My people planted wheat, but they harvested thorns. They worked until they became sick, but they gained nothing by it. They were disappointed by their harvests because of the burning anger of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/jeremiah/12.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />My people planted wheat, but gathered weeds; they have worked hard, but got nothing for it. Because of my fierce anger their crops have failed." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/jeremiah/12.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />They have sown wheat, but they have harvested thorns. They have tired themselves out, but they don't show a profit. Now be disappointed about your harvest because of the fierce anger of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/jeremiah/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />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.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/jeremiah/12.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />My people will sow wheat, but will harvest weeds. They will work until they are exhausted, but will get nothing from it. They will be disappointed in their harvests because the LORD will take them away in his fierce anger. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/jeremiah/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />They have sown wheat, and have reaped thorns; they have put themselves to pain, and profit nothing: and you shall be ashamed of your fruits, because of the fierce anger of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/jeremiah/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/jeremiah/12.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They have sown wheat, and have reaped thorns. They have exhausted themselves, and profit nothing. You will be ashamed of your fruits, because of Yahweh’s fierce anger.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/jeremiah/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />They sowed wheat, and have reaped thorns, "" They have become sick—they do not profit, "" And they have been ashamed of your increases, "" Because of the fierceness of the anger of YHWH.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/jeremiah/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> They sowed wheat, and have thorns reaped, They have become sick -- they profit not, And they have been ashamed of your increases, Because of the fierceness of the anger of Jehovah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/jeremiah/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />They sowed wheat and they reaped thorns: they were wearied, they shall not profit; and they were ashamed of your gains from the burning of the anger of Jehovah.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/jeremiah/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />They have sown wheat, and reaped thorns: they have received an inheritance, and it shall not profit them: you shall be ashamed of your fruits, because of the fierce wrath of the Lord. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/jeremiah/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />They sowed wheat, but they reaped thorns. They received an inheritance, but it will not benefit them. You will be confounded by your own fruits, because of the wrath of the fury of the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/jeremiah/12.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />They have sown wheat and reaped thorns, they have tired themselves out for no purpose; They are shamed by their harvest, the burning anger of the LORD. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/jeremiah/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />They have sown wheat and have reaped thorns, they have tired themselves out but profit nothing. They shall be ashamed of their harvests because of the fierce anger of the LORD.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/jeremiah/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />They have sown wheat, but they shall reap thorns; they have labored hard, but they shall not profit; and they shall be ashamed of their crops because of the fierce anger of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/jeremiah/12.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Sow wheat and reap thorns, and labor and gain nothing, and be ashamed of your produce, because of the heat of the wrath of LORD JEHOVAH<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/jeremiah/12.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />They have sown wheat, and have reaped thorns; They have put themselves to pain, they profit not; Be ye then ashamed of your increase, Because of the fierce anger of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/jeremiah/12.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Sow wheat, and reap thorns; their portions shall not profit them: be ashamed of your boasting, because of reproach before the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/jeremiah/12-13.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5k55c51ZGhs?start=3788" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/12.htm">God's Answer to Jeremiah</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">12</span>Over all the barren heights in the wilderness the destroyers have come, for the sword of the LORD devours from one end of the earth to the other. No flesh has peace. <span class="reftext">13</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2232.htm" title="2232: zā·rə·‘ū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To sow, scatter seed. A primitive root; to sow; figuratively, to disseminate, plant, fructify.">They have sown</a> <a href="/hebrew/2406.htm" title="2406: ḥiṭ·ṭîm (N-fp) -- Wheat. Of uncertain derivation; wheat, whether the grain or the plant.">wheat</a> <a href="/hebrew/7114.htm" title="7114: qā·ṣā·rū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To dock off, curtail, to harvest. A primitive root; to dock off, i.e. Curtail; especially to harvest.">but harvested</a> <a href="/hebrew/6975.htm" title="6975: wə·qō·ṣîm (Conj-w:: N-mp) -- A thorn, thornbush. Or qots; from quwts; a thorn.">thorns.</a> <a href="/hebrew/2470.htm" title="2470: neḥ·lū (V-Nifal-Perf-3cp) -- A primitive root; properly, to be rubbed or worn; hence to be weak, sick, afflicted; or to grieve, make sick; also to stroke, entreat.">They have exhausted themselves</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">to no</a> <a href="/hebrew/3276.htm" title="3276: yō·w·‘i·lū (V-Hifil-Imperf-3mp) -- To confer or gain profit or benefit. A primitive root; properly, to ascend; figuratively, to be valuable.">avail.</a> <a href="/hebrew/954.htm" title="954: ū·ḇō·šū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- To be ashamed. A primitive root; properly, to pale, i.e. By implication to be ashamed; also to be disappointed or delayed.">Bear the shame</a> <a href="/hebrew/8393.htm" title="8393: mit·tə·ḇū·’ō·ṯê·ḵem (Prep-m:: N-fpc:: 2mp) -- Product, revenue. From bow'; income, i.e. Produce.">of your harvest</a> <a href="/hebrew/2740.htm" title="2740: mê·ḥă·rō·wn (Prep-m:: N-msc) -- (burning of) anger. Or charon; from charah; a burning of anger.">because of the fierce</a> <a href="/hebrew/639.htm" title="639: ’ap̄- (N-msc) -- A nostril, nose, face, anger. From 'anaph; properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also ire.">anger</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">of the LORD.”</a> </span><div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/6-15.htm">Micah 6:15</a></span><br />You will sow but not reap; you will press olives but not anoint yourselves with oil; you will tread grapes but not drink the wine.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/28-38.htm">Deuteronomy 28:38-40</a></span><br />You will sow much seed in the field but harvest little, because the locusts will consume it. / You will plant and cultivate vineyards, but will neither drink the wine nor gather the grapes, because worms will eat them. / You will have olive trees throughout your territory but will never anoint yourself with oil, because the olives will drop off.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/haggai/1-6.htm">Haggai 1:6</a></span><br />You have planted much but harvested little. You eat but never have enough. You drink but never have your fill. You put on clothes but never get warm. You earn wages to put into a bag pierced through.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/26-16.htm">Leviticus 26:16</a></span><br />then this is what I will do to you: I will bring upon you sudden terror, wasting disease, and fever that will destroy your sight and drain your life. You will sow your seed in vain, because your enemies will eat it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/17-10.htm">Isaiah 17:10-11</a></span><br />For you have forgotten the God of your salvation and failed to remember the Rock of your refuge. Therefore, though you cultivate delightful plots and set out cuttings from exotic vines— / though on the day you plant you make them grow, and on that morning you help your seed sprout—yet the harvest will vanish on the day of disease and incurable pain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/5-11.htm">Amos 5:11</a></span><br />Therefore, because you trample on the poor and exact from him a tax of grain, you will never live in the stone houses you have built; you will never drink the wine from the lush vineyards you have planted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/31-8.htm">Job 31:8</a></span><br />then may another eat what I have sown, and may my crops be uprooted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/8-7.htm">Hosea 8:7</a></span><br />For they sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind. There is no standing grain; what sprouts fails to yield flour. Even if it should produce, the foreigners would swallow it up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/1-10.htm">Joel 1:10-12</a></span><br />The field is ruined; the land mourns. For the grain is destroyed, the new wine is dried up, and the oil fails. / Be dismayed, O farmers, wail, O vinedressers, over the wheat and barley, because the harvest of the field has perished. / The grapevine is dried up, and the fig tree is withered; the pomegranate, palm, and apple—all the trees of the orchard—are withered. Surely the joy of mankind has dried up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zephaniah/1-13.htm">Zephaniah 1:13</a></span><br />Their wealth will be plundered and their houses laid waste. They will build houses but not inhabit them, and plant vineyards but never drink their wine.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/13-7.htm">Matthew 13:7</a></span><br />Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the seedlings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/8-14.htm">Luke 8:14</a></span><br />The seeds that fell among the thorns are those who hear, but as they go on their way, they are choked by the worries, riches, and pleasures of this life, and their fruit does not mature.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/4-19.htm">Mark 4:19</a></span><br />but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desire for other things come in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/4-37.htm">John 4:37-38</a></span><br />For in this case the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. / I sent you to reap what you have not worked for; others have done the hard work, and now you have taken up their labor.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/3-6.htm">1 Corinthians 3:6-9</a></span><br />I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. / So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. / He who plants and he who waters are one in purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">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.</p><p class="hdg">sown.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/26-16.htm">Leviticus 26:16</a></b></br> I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/28-38.htm">Deuteronomy 28:38</a></b></br> Thou shalt carry much seed out into the field, and shalt gather <i>but</i> little in; for the locust shall consume it.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/micah/6-15.htm">Micah 6:15</a></b></br> Thou shalt sow, but thou shalt not reap; thou shalt tread the olives, but thou shalt not anoint thee with oil; and sweet wine, but shalt not drink wine.</p><p class="hdg">put.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/3-23.htm">Jeremiah 3:23-25</a></b></br> Truly in vain <i>is salvation hoped for</i> from the hills, <i>and from</i> the multitude of mountains: truly in the LORD our God <i>is</i> the salvation of Israel… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/30-1.htm">Isaiah 30:1-6</a></b></br> Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/31-1.htm">Isaiah 31:1-3</a></b></br> Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because <i>they are</i> many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD! … </p><p class="hdg">they.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jeremiah/2-36.htm">Account</a> <a href="/jeremiah/11-17.htm">Anger</a> <a href="/jeremiah/8-12.htm">Ashamed</a> <a href="/jeremiah/12-2.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/jeremiah/11-17.htm">Burning</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-26.htm">Fierce</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-24.htm">Fruits</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-13.htm">Gain</a> <a href="/jeremiah/12-6.htm">Good</a> <a href="/jeremiah/9-22.htm">Grain</a> <a href="/jeremiah/8-20.htm">Harvest</a> <a href="/isaiah/17-5.htm">Harvests</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-3.htm">Increase</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-24.htm">Pain</a> <a href="/jeremiah/12-2.htm">Planted</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-7.htm">Produce</a> <a href="/jeremiah/7-8.htm">Profit</a> <a href="/isaiah/37-30.htm">Reap</a> <a href="/ruth/2-9.htm">Reaped</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-8.htm">Revenues</a> <a href="/jeremiah/11-13.htm">Shame</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-14.htm">Shamed</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-3.htm">Sow</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-2.htm">Sown</a> <a href="/genesis/32-25.htm">Strained</a> <a href="/jeremiah/11-17.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-3.htm">Thorns</a> <a href="/jeremiah/12-5.htm">Tired</a> <a href="/isaiah/65-22.htm">Wear</a> <a href="/isaiah/28-25.htm">Wheat</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/jeremiah/14-10.htm">Account</a> <a href="/jeremiah/15-14.htm">Anger</a> <a href="/jeremiah/14-3.htm">Ashamed</a> <a href="/jeremiah/14-9.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/jeremiah/15-14.htm">Burning</a> <a href="/jeremiah/25-37.htm">Fierce</a> <a href="/jeremiah/40-10.htm">Fruits</a> <a href="/jeremiah/22-17.htm">Gain</a> <a href="/jeremiah/13-7.htm">Good</a> <a href="/jeremiah/14-12.htm">Grain</a> <a href="/jeremiah/40-10.htm">Harvest</a> <a href="/john/4-36.htm">Harvests</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-3.htm">Increase</a> <a href="/jeremiah/13-21.htm">Pain</a> <a href="/jeremiah/17-8.htm">Planted</a> <a href="/jeremiah/17-16.htm">Produce</a> <a href="/jeremiah/16-19.htm">Profit</a> <a href="/hosea/8-7.htm">Reap</a> <a href="/hosea/10-13.htm">Reaped</a> <a href="/1_kings/10-15.htm">Revenues</a> <a href="/jeremiah/13-26.htm">Shame</a> <a href="/jeremiah/14-4.htm">Shamed</a> <a href="/jeremiah/31-27.htm">Sow</a> <a href="/jeremiah/31-27.htm">Sown</a> <a href="/genesis/32-25.htm">Strained</a> <a href="/jeremiah/16-6.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/ezekiel/2-6.htm">Thorns</a> <a href="/jeremiah/15-6.htm">Tired</a> <a href="/ezekiel/44-17.htm">Wear</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-28.htm">Wheat</a><div class="vheading2">Jeremiah 12</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/12-1.htm">Jeremiah, complaining of the prosperity of the wicked, by faith sees their ruin.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/12-5.htm">God admonishes him of his brothers' treachery against him;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/12-7.htm">and laments his heritage.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/12-14.htm">He promises to the penitent return from captivity.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jeremiah/12.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jeremiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/jeremiah/12.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>They have sown wheat but harvested thorns.</b><br>This phrase highlights the futility of the people's efforts due to their disobedience to God. In biblical times, sowing wheat was a common agricultural practice, symbolizing hope for a fruitful harvest. However, the result of harvesting thorns instead of wheat signifies judgment and the consequences of sin. This imagery is reminiscent of the curse in <a href="/genesis/3-17.htm">Genesis 3:17-18</a>, where the ground produces thorns and thistles as a result of Adam's disobedience. The metaphor underscores the principle that spiritual rebellion leads to unproductive and painful outcomes, aligning with the broader biblical theme of reaping what one sows (<a href="/galatians/6-7.htm">Galatians 6:7-8</a>).<p><b>They have exhausted themselves to no avail.</b><br>This phrase reflects the fruitlessness of the people's labor and efforts. Despite their hard work, they achieve nothing of value, illustrating the vanity of human endeavors apart from God's blessing. This can be connected to <a href="/haggai/1-6.htm">Haggai 1:6</a>, where the people labor but are never satisfied, emphasizing the emptiness of pursuits without divine favor. The historical context of Jeremiah's time includes the looming threat of Babylonian invasion, which would render the people's efforts futile as their land and produce would be taken or destroyed.<p><b>Bear the shame of your harvest because of the fierce anger of the LORD.”</b><br>Here, the shame of the harvest is a direct result of God's judgment. The people are called to acknowledge their disgrace, which is a consequence of their covenant unfaithfulness. The "fierce anger of the LORD" indicates divine wrath against persistent sin and idolatry, a recurring theme in the prophetic books. This phrase serves as a warning and a call to repentance, echoing the covenant curses outlined in <a href="/deuteronomy/28-15.htm">Deuteronomy 28:15-68</a>. Theologically, it points to the necessity of aligning with God's will to avoid judgment, and it foreshadows the ultimate redemption through Christ, who bears the shame and wrath on behalf of humanity (<a href="/isaiah/53-4.htm">Isaiah 53:4-5</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jeremiah.htm">Jeremiah</a></b><br>A prophet called by God to deliver messages of warning and hope to the people of Judah. He is known for his lamentations and deep emotional connection to the fate of his people.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a></b><br>The southern kingdom of Israel, which was facing impending judgment due to its persistent disobedience and idolatry.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord's_anger.htm">The LORD's Anger</a></b><br>Represents God's righteous indignation against the sin and rebellion of His people, leading to their judgment.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_principle_of_sowing_and_reaping.htm">The Principle of Sowing and Reaping</a></b><br>Our actions have consequences. Just as the people of Judah sowed wheat but reaped thorns, our spiritual and moral choices determine the outcomes we experience.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_labor_without_god.htm">The Futility of Labor Without God</a></b><br>Efforts made apart from God's guidance and blessing can lead to exhaustion and disappointment. True fulfillment comes from aligning our work with God's purposes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_divine_judgment.htm">The Reality of Divine Judgment</a></b><br>God's anger is a response to persistent sin and rebellion. Understanding His righteous judgment should lead us to repentance and a renewed commitment to His ways.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_examine_our_harvest.htm">The Call to Examine Our Harvest</a></b><br>Reflect on the "harvest" of our lives. Are we seeing the fruits of the Spirit, or are we reaping thorns due to neglecting God's commands?<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_repentance_and_restoration.htm">Hope in Repentance and Restoration</a></b><br>While this verse speaks of judgment, the broader context of Jeremiah includes promises of restoration for those who turn back to God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_jeremiah_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 12</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_a_buried_belt_stay_intact.htm">(Jeremiah 13:1-11) How could a buried linen belt remain intact long enough to serve as an effective prophetic sign?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_gen_22_align_with_deut_12_31.htm">How does Genesis 22 align with later scriptures condemning human sacrifice (e.g., Deuteronomy 12:31)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_ignore_pleas_in_jer_14_7-9.htm">Jeremiah 14:7-9: How can a merciful God seemingly ignore the desperate pleas of His people in these verses?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/proof_jeremiah_spoke_god's_words.htm">In Jeremiah 26:12-15, what proof exists that Jeremiah truly spoke God's words and not his own personal agenda?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/jeremiah/12.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(13) <span class= "bld">But shall reap thorns.</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">have reaped thorns; </span>and so in the next clause <span class= "ital">they have profited nothing. </span>This which is truer to the Hebrew is also truer to the Prophet's meaning. The sentence of failure is already written on everything. The best plans are marred, the "wheat" turned to "thorns." The words are obviously of the nature of a proverbial saying, of the same type as that of <a href="/haggai/1-6.htm" title="You have sown much, and bring in little; you eat, but you have not enough; you drink, but you are not filled with drink; you clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earns wages earns wages to put it into a bag with holes.">Haggai 1:6</a>.<p><span class= "bld">They shall be ashamed.</span>--The word is imperative, <span class= "ital">be ashamed.</span><p><span class= "bld">Revenues.</span>--The word had not acquired, at the time of the translation of 1611, the exclusively financial sense which now attaches to it, and was used as equivalent to <span class= "ital">increase </span>or "produce" generally. By some commentators the words are referred to the conquerors, who are to be ashamed of their scanty spoil; by others to the conquered, who are to find all their hopes of increase disappointed. The latter seems preferable.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/jeremiah/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 13.</span> - A description in proverbial language of the absence of "peace" (literally, <span class="accented">soundness</span>, <span class="accented">i.e.</span> prosperity, security), from which "all flesh" in Judah at this time shall suffer. The trouble of sowing has been in vain, for <span class="accented">they have reaped thorns</span> (<span class="accented">so</span> we must render grammatically, <span class="cmt_word">and not shall reap</span>, and in the next clause <span class="cmt_word">shall not profit</span> ought to be <span class="accented">have not profited</span>). <span class="accented"><span class="cmt_word"></span>And they shall be ashamed of your revenues</span>; rather, be ashamed <span class="accented">then of your produce</span>; but it is more natural to emend the pronominal suffix, and render, <span class="accented">and are ashamed of their produce</span> (the Authorized Version seems to have very nearly taken this easy step). It is, of course, the produce of husbandry which is referred to. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/jeremiah/12-13.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">They have sown</span><br /><span class="heb">זָרְע֤וּ</span> <span class="translit">(zā·rə·‘ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2232.htm">Strong's 2232: </a> </span><span class="str2">To sow, to disseminate, plant, fructify</span><br /><br /><span class="word">wheat</span><br /><span class="heb">חִטִּים֙</span> <span class="translit">(ḥiṭ·ṭîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2406.htm">Strong's 2406: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wheat</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but harvested</span><br /><span class="heb">קָצָ֔רוּ</span> <span class="translit">(qā·ṣā·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7114.htm">Strong's 7114: </a> </span><span class="str2">To dock off, curtail, to harvest</span><br /><br /><span class="word">thorns.</span><br /><span class="heb">וְקֹצִ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(wə·qō·ṣîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6975.htm">Strong's 6975: </a> </span><span class="str2">A thorn, thornbush</span><br /><br /><span class="word">They have exhausted themselves</span><br /><span class="heb">נֶחְל֖וּ</span> <span class="translit">(neḥ·lū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2470.htm">Strong's 2470: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be weak or sick</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to no</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">avail.</span><br /><span class="heb">יוֹעִ֑לוּ</span> <span class="translit">(yō·w·‘i·lū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3276.htm">Strong's 3276: </a> </span><span class="str2">To confer or gain profit or benefit</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Bear the shame</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבֹ֙שׁוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇō·šū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_954.htm">Strong's 954: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pale, to be ashamed, to be disappointed, delayed</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of your harvest</span><br /><span class="heb">מִתְּבוּאֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(mit·tə·ḇū·’ō·ṯê·ḵem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8393.htm">Strong's 8393: </a> </span><span class="str2">Product, revenue</span><br /><br /><span class="word">because of the fierce</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵחֲר֖וֹן</span> <span class="translit">(mê·ḥă·rō·wn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2740.htm">Strong's 2740: </a> </span><span class="str2">A burning of anger</span><br /><br /><span class="word">anger</span><br /><span class="heb">אַף־</span> <span class="translit">(’ap̄-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_639.htm">Strong's 639: </a> </span><span class="str2">The nose, nostril, the face, a person, ire</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the LORD.”</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/jeremiah/12-13.htm">Jeremiah 12:13 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/jeremiah/12-13.htm">Jeremiah 12:13 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/jeremiah/12-13.htm">Jeremiah 12:13 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/12-13.htm">Jeremiah 12:13 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/jeremiah/12-13.htm">Jeremiah 12:13 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/jeremiah/12-13.htm">Jeremiah 12:13 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/jeremiah/12-13.htm">Jeremiah 12:13 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/jeremiah/12-13.htm">Jeremiah 12:13 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/jeremiah/12-13.htm">Jeremiah 12:13 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/jeremiah/12-13.htm">Jeremiah 12:13 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/jeremiah/12-13.htm">OT Prophets: Jeremiah 12:13 They have sown wheat and have reaped (Jer.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/jeremiah/12-12.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Jeremiah 12:12"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 12:12" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/jeremiah/12-14.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Jeremiah 12:14"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 12:14" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>