The term "reapeth" is an archaic form of the verb "reap," which is used in the Bible to describe the act of gathering a harvest. This term is often employed metaphorically to convey spiritual truths and moral lessons. In the agricultural context of the ancient Near East, reaping was a critical phase in the farming cycle, marking the time when the fruits of labor were collected. In the Scriptures, "reapeth" is used to illustrate principles of divine justice, human responsibility, and the consequences of one's actions.

Biblical Usage and Themes

1. Divine Justice and Human Responsibility: The concept of reaping is frequently used to illustrate the principle of sowing and reaping, which underscores the idea that actions have consequences. Galatians 6:7-8 states, "Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life." This passage emphasizes the moral responsibility of individuals to live according to God's will, highlighting the inevitable outcomes of their choices.

2. Harvest as a Metaphor for Judgment: In the prophetic and eschatological literature, reaping is often used as a metaphor for divine judgment. Revelation 14:15 describes an angel proclaiming, "Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe." Here, the harvest symbolizes the gathering of souls for judgment, reflecting the culmination of God's plan and the final assessment of humanity's deeds.

3. Labor and Reward: The act of reaping is also associated with the reward for labor. In John 4:36 , Jesus speaks of the spiritual harvest, saying, "Already the reaper draws his wages and gathers a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may rejoice together." This passage highlights the joy and fulfillment that come from participating in God's work, where both sowers and reapers share in the blessings of the harvest.

4. Generosity and Provision: The principle of reaping is linked to generosity and God's provision. In 2 Corinthians 9:6 , Paul writes, "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." This verse encourages believers to give freely and trust in God's abundant provision, reinforcing the idea that generosity leads to spiritual and material blessings.

Cultural and Historical Context

In the agrarian society of biblical times, reaping was a communal activity that involved the entire community. It was a time of celebration and thanksgiving, as the successful gathering of crops ensured sustenance and survival. The imagery of reaping would have resonated deeply with the original audience, who understood the hard work and patience required to bring a harvest to fruition.

Theological Implications

Theologically, the concept of reaping serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the moral order He has established. It calls believers to live righteously, understanding that their actions have eternal significance. The metaphor of reaping also points to the hope of a future harvest, where God's justice will be fully realized, and His people will experience the fullness of His promises.

John iv. 28, 29
... Ver.36. "And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal.". ...
"That both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.". ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxxiv john iv 28.htm

The Second Sign in Galilee.
... He that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal; that
he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. ...
/.../dods/the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/xi the second sign in.htm

Preaching to the Samaritans.
... He that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal; that
he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/preaching to the samaritans.htm

The Patriarchs and Prophets by Pointing Out the Advent of Christ ...
... For the harvest-man receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal, that
both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxiii the patriarchs and prophets.htm

How the Slothful and the Hasty are to be Admonished.
... To him it is well said again through the same Solomon, He that observeth the wind
doth not sow: and he that regardeth the clouds never reapeth (Ecclesiastes 11 ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xv how the slothful.htm

August 24 Evening
... And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that
both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together."The kingdom of ...
/.../anonymous/daily light on the daily path/august 24 evening.htm

And Jesus Went Out Again from the Borders of Tyre and Sidon...
... [1523] [1524] And he that reapeth receiveth his wages, and gathereth the fruit of
eternal life; [1525] and the sower and [41] the reaper rejoice together. ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section xxi and jesus went.htm

The Seed Growing Secretly.
... Such is its meaning in Psalm 126:6, "He that goeth forth and reapeth, bearing precious
seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/xv the seed growing secretly.htm

At Jacob's Well
... "He that reapeth," He said, "receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal:
that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 19 at jacobs well.htm

Sowing and Reaping.
... gathered. (John 4:36). 36. He that reapeth receiveth wages. The figure is
kept up. The ... 37). 37. One soweth, and another reapeth. This ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/sowing and reaping.htm

Reapeth (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Reapeth (5 Occurrences). ... (KJV ASV WBS). John 4:37 And herein
is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. (KJV ASV WBS). ...
/r/reapeth.htm - 7k

Soweth (16 Occurrences)
... John 4:36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal:
that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. ...
/s/soweth.htm - 10k

Reaping (10 Occurrences)
... as did also the withholding of the reapers' wages (James 5:4). In God's Kingdom
there is a division of labor: "He that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice ...
/r/reaping.htm - 13k

Receiveth (48 Occurrences)
... John 4:36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal:
that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. ...
/r/receiveth.htm - 20k

Gathereth (65 Occurrences)
... John 4:36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal:
that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. ...
/g/gathereth.htm - 26k

Gleaning (10 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 17:5 And it shall be as when the harvestman gathereth the standing corn,
and reapeth the ears with his arm; yea, it shall be as when one gleaneth ears ...
/g/gleaning.htm - 12k

Gleaneth (2 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 17:5 And it shall be as when the harvestman gathereth the standing grain,
and his arm reapeth the ears; yea, it shall be as when one gleaneth ears in ...
/g/gleaneth.htm - 7k

Weareth (4 Occurrences)
... consumed him. (YLT). Proverbs 22:8 Whoso is sowing perverseness reapeth
sorrow, And the rod of his anger weareth out. (YLT). Isaiah ...
/w/weareth.htm - 7k

Wages (52 Occurrences)
... In John 4:36 Jesus said, "He that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto
life eternal." 2 Peter 2:15 has changed "wages" (the King James Version) to ...
/w/wages.htm - 28k

Reph'aim (17 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 17:5 And it shall be as when the harvestman gathereth the standing corn,
and reapeth the ears with his arm; yea, it shall be as when one gleaneth ears ...
/r/reph'aim.htm - 11k

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