Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version You will sow much seed in the field but you will harvest little, because locusts will devour it. New Living Translation “You will plant much but harvest little, for locusts will eat your crops. English Standard Version You shall carry much seed into the field and shall gather in little, for the locust shall consume it. Berean Standard Bible You will sow much seed in the field but harvest little, because the locusts will consume it. King James Bible Thou shalt carry much seed out into the field, and shalt gather but little in; for the locust shall consume it. New King James Version “You shall carry much seed out to the field but gather little in, for the locust shall consume it. New American Standard Bible “You will bring out a great amount of seed to the field, but you will gather in little, because the locust will devour it. NASB 1995 “You shall bring out much seed to the field but you will gather in little, for the locust will consume it. NASB 1977 “You shall bring out much seed to the field but you shall gather in little, for the locust shall consume it. Legacy Standard Bible “You shall bring out much seed to the field, but you will gather in little, for the locust will consume it. Amplified Bible “You will bring out a great quantity of seed to the field, but you will gather in little, because the locusts will consume it. Christian Standard Bible “You will sow much seed in the field but harvest little, because locusts will devour it. Holman Christian Standard Bible You will sow much seed in the field but harvest little, because locusts will devour it. American Standard Version Thou shalt carry much seed out into the field, and shalt gather little in; for the locust shall consume it. Contemporary English Version You will plant a lot of seed, but gather a small harvest, because locusts will eat your crops. English Revised Version Thou shalt carry much seed out into the field, and shalt gather little in; for the locust shall consume it. GOD'S WORD® Translation You will plant many crops in your fields, but harvest little because locusts will destroy your crops. Good News Translation "You will plant plenty of seed, but reap only a small harvest, because the locusts will eat your crops. International Standard Version "You'll plant many seeds in a field, but your harvest will be small because the locust will consume it. NET Bible "You will take much seed to the field but gather little harvest, because locusts will consume it. New Heart English Bible You shall carry much seed out into the field, and shall gather little in; for the locust shall consume it. Webster's Bible Translation Thou shalt carry much seed into the field, and shalt gather but little: for the locust shall consume it. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleYou will sow much seed in the field but harvest little, because the locusts will consume it. World English Bible You will carry much seed out into the field, and will gather little in, for the locust will consume it. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionYou take much seed out into the field, and you gather little in, for the locust consumes it; Young's Literal Translation 'Much seed thou dost take out into the field, and little thou dost gather in, for the locust doth consume it; Smith's Literal Translation Thou shalt bring out much seed to thy field, and shalt gather little, for the locust shall devour it. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThou shalt cast much seed into the ground, and gather little: because the locusts shall consume all. Catholic Public Domain Version You will sow much seed upon the ground, but you will harvest little. For the locusts will devour everything. New American Bible Though you take out seed to your field, you will harvest but little, for the locusts will devour it. New Revised Standard Version You shall carry much seed into the field but shall gather little in, for the locust shall consume it. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleYou shall carry much seed into your field, and you shall gather but little in; for the locust shall consume it. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated You shall send out much seed in your field and you shall gather little because locusts will eat it. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Thou shalt carry much seed out into the field, and shalt gather little in; for the locust shall consume it. Brenton Septuagint Translation Thou shalt carry forth much seed into the field, and thou shalt bring in little, because the locust shall devour it. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Curses of Disobedience…37You will become an object of horror, scorn, and ridicule among all the nations to which the LORD will drive you. 38You will sow much seed in the field but harvest little, because the locusts will consume it. 39You will plant and cultivate vineyards, but will neither drink the wine nor gather the grapes, because worms will eat them.… Cross References Joel 1:4 What the devouring locust has left, the swarming locust has eaten; what the swarming locust has left, the young locust has eaten; and what the young locust has left, the destroying locust has eaten. Haggai 1:6 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.” Amos 4:9 “I struck you with blight and mildew in your growing gardens and vineyards; the locust devoured your fig and olive trees, yet you did not return to Me,” declares the LORD. Micah 6:15 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. Leviticus 26:16 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. 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.” Hosea 8:7 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. Malachi 3:11 I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your land, and the vine in your field will not fail to produce fruit,” says the LORD of Hosts. Isaiah 5:10 For ten acres of vineyard will yield but a bath of wine, and a homer of seed only an ephah of grain.” Psalm 78:46 He gave their crops to the grasshopper, the fruit of their labor to the locust. Job 31:8 then may another eat what I have sown, and may my crops be uprooted. Matthew 13:3-9 And He told them many things in parables, saying, “A farmer went out to sow his seed. / And as he was sowing, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. / Some fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow. ... Mark 4:3-9 “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. / And as he was sowing, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. / Some fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow. ... Luke 8:5-8 “A farmer went out to sow his seed. And as he was sowing, some seed fell along the path, where it was trampled, and the birds of the air devoured it. / Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the seedlings withered because they had no moisture. / Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the seedlings. ... 1 Corinthians 3:6-7 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. Treasury of Scripture You shall carry much seed out into the field, and shall gather but little in; for the locust shall consume it. shalt carry Isaiah 5:10 Yea, ten acres of vineyard shall yield one bath, and the seed of an homer shall yield an ephah. Micah 6:15 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. Haggai 1:6 Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes. for the locust Exodus 10:14,15 And the locusts went up over all the land of Egypt, and rested in all the coasts of Egypt: very grievous were they; before them there were no such locusts as they, neither after them shall be such… Joel 1:4 That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten; and that which the cankerworm hath left hath the caterpiller eaten. Joel 2:3,25 A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them… Jump to Previous Carry Consume Devour Harvest Little Seed SowJump to Next Carry Consume Devour Harvest Little Seed SowDeuteronomy 28 1. The blessings for obedience15. The curses for disobedience You will sow much seed in the field This phrase reflects the agrarian society of ancient Israel, where agriculture was a primary means of sustenance and economic stability. Sowing seed in abundance indicates a significant investment of labor and resources, expecting a proportional return. In the biblical context, sowing is often used metaphorically to represent actions and their consequences (Galatians 6:7-8). The act of sowing much seed suggests diligence and hope for a fruitful harvest, which is a common theme in Scripture, symbolizing spiritual and material blessings (Psalm 126:5-6). but harvest little because the locusts will consume it Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe author of Deuteronomy, delivering God's laws and blessings/curses to the Israelites. 2. Israelites The chosen people of God, receiving the covenant and its stipulations. 3. Promised Land The land of Canaan, which the Israelites are about to enter, where these blessings and curses will manifest. 4. Locusts Insects that symbolize destruction and are often used as instruments of divine judgment in the Bible. 5. Covenant at Moab The renewal of the covenant between God and the Israelites, where these blessings and curses are outlined. Teaching Points The Consequences of DisobedienceDeuteronomy 28:38 serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of turning away from God's commandments. The Israelites are warned that their efforts will be in vain if they do not remain faithful to God. The Symbolism of Locusts Locusts are a powerful symbol of destruction and judgment. They remind us of the fragility of human efforts without God's blessing and protection. The Principle of Sowing and Reaping This verse illustrates the broader biblical principle that what we sow, we will reap. It challenges us to consider the spiritual seeds we are planting in our lives. Dependence on God for Provision The futility of the Israelites' labor without God's blessing underscores our need to rely on God for provision and success in all our endeavors. The Importance of Covenant Faithfulness The verse highlights the importance of remaining faithful to God's covenant. It calls us to examine our own faithfulness to God's commands and promises. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 28:38?2. How does Deuteronomy 28:38 illustrate consequences of disobedience to God's commands? 3. What can we learn about God's justice from Deuteronomy 28:38? 4. How does Deuteronomy 28:38 connect with Galatians 6:7 about reaping and sowing? 5. How can we apply the lessons of Deuteronomy 28:38 in our daily lives? 6. What steps can we take to avoid the "locusts" mentioned in Deuteronomy 28:38? 7. How does Deuteronomy 28:38 relate to the concept of divine punishment for disobedience? 8. What historical context influenced the message in Deuteronomy 28:38? 9. How does Deuteronomy 28:38 reflect the covenant relationship between God and Israel? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 28? 11. What do locusts symbolize in the Book of Joel? 12. What does a locust swarm symbolize in the Bible? 13. What does "restore the years" mean in Joel 2:25? 14. What are the consequences of our actions according to scripture? What Does Deuteronomy 28:38 Mean contextDeuteronomy 28 records the covenant blessings for obedience (vv. 1-14) and curses for disobedience (vv. 15-68). Verse 38 belongs to the second list, underscoring a literal consequence Israel would face if it ignored God’s commands (cf. Deuteronomy 28:15; Leviticus 26:14-20). The land—normally God’s good gift (Genesis 8:22; Psalm 65:9-13)—would stop cooperating, turning abundant labor into futility. sow much seed “You will sow much seed in the field…” • Israel would still plow, plant, and invest considerable effort (Isaiah 28:24-26). • The wording assumes normal agricultural diligence; the problem would not be laziness (Proverbs 20:4) but spiritual rebellion (Hosea 10:12-13). • God’s covenant expected Israel to work the land faithfully (Deuteronomy 11:13-15). Here He warns that even wholehearted labor cannot outpace divine discipline. but harvest little “…but harvest little…” • The promised yield would collapse (Haggai 1:6); barns that should be full (Proverbs 3:9-10) would echo empty. • This reverses earlier covenant blessings such as Deuteronomy 7:13 where God pledged, “He will bless the fruit of your womb and the produce of your land.” • The lesson: material results ultimately hinge on obedience, not merely on industry (Psalm 127:1-2). because the locusts will consume it “…because the locusts will consume it.” • Locusts are a familiar instrument of God’s judgment (Exodus 10:12-15; Joel 1:4; Amos 4:9). • Their arrival is sudden, overwhelming, and uncontrollable, illustrating the inescapable nature of divine chastening (2 Chronicles 7:13-14). • Natural forces that normally serve human flourishing bow to the Creator’s purposes, reminding Israel—and us—that the LORD “does whatever He pleases” (Psalm 135:6). application • Hard work is necessary, yet futile apart from faithful submission to God (Luke 12:16-21; James 4:13-16). • National or personal prosperity cannot be secured by technique alone; righteousness remains the decisive factor (Proverbs 14:34). • Believers today should heed the warning: habitual disobedience invites God’s loving but severe discipline (Hebrews 12:5-11; Galatians 6:7-8). summary Deuteronomy 28:38 teaches that when God’s people persist in disobedience, He can turn even their greatest efforts into disappointment. Abundant sowing cannot guarantee a bountiful harvest if the LORD sends locusts. The verse calls believers to wholehearted obedience, trusting that true fruitfulness flows from walking in covenant faithfulness with God. (38-42) These are the contrary to Deuteronomy 28:11; and Deuteronomy 28:44 is the contrary to Deuteronomy 28:12-13. From the order of the passage it might seem that these particular troubles were to come on Israel after their captivity. And perhaps it is not accidental that something very like a fulfilment of Deuteronomy 28:38-40 is found in Haggai 1:6-11. (Comp. also Isaiah 5:10, "Ten acres of vineyard shall yield one bath, and the seed of an homer shall yield an ephah.") . . .Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew You will sowתּוֹצִ֣יא (tō·w·ṣî) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim much רַ֖ב (raḇ) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 7227: Much, many, great seed זֶ֥רַע (ze·ra‘) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2233: Seed, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity in the field הַשָּׂדֶ֑ה (haś·śā·ḏeh) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7704: Field, land but harvest תֶּאֱסֹ֔ף (te·’ĕ·sōp̄) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 622: To gather for, any purpose, to receive, take away, remove little, וּמְעַ֣ט (ū·mə·‘aṭ) Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 4592: A little, fewness, a few because כִּ֥י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction the locust הָאַרְבֶּֽה׃ (hā·’ar·beh) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 697: (a kind of) locust will consume it. יַחְסְלֶ֖נּוּ (yaḥ·sə·len·nū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular Strong's 2628: To finish off, consume Links Deuteronomy 28:38 NIVDeuteronomy 28:38 NLT Deuteronomy 28:38 ESV Deuteronomy 28:38 NASB Deuteronomy 28:38 KJV Deuteronomy 28:38 BibleApps.com Deuteronomy 28:38 Biblia Paralela Deuteronomy 28:38 Chinese Bible Deuteronomy 28:38 French Bible Deuteronomy 28:38 Catholic Bible OT Law: Deuteronomy 28:38 You shall carry much seed out into (Deut. 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