Thou shalt plant vineyards, and dress them, but shalt neither drink of the wine, nor gather the grapes; for the worms shall eat them.

DEUTERONOMY 28:39KJV
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Deuteronomy 28:39 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 28:39 mean?

Deuteronomy 28:39 says that the people will plant and care for vineyards, but they will not be able to enjoy the wine or gather the grapes because worms will destroy the fruit. The verse describes a situation where hard work does not lead to reward, as a consequence of disobedience to God.

In this verse, Moses is speaking to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the promised land. He is warning them about the curses that will come if they do not follow God's commandments. The image of planting vineyards and tending them ("dress them") but losing the harvest to worms highlights the frustration and futility that can come from ignoring God's instructions.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 28:39

  • "Plant" (נָטַע, nata‘) means to put something in the ground so it will grow. Here, it emphasizes the effort and hope the people put into their work.
  • "Dress" (עָבַד, ‘avad) means to serve or work, often used for cultivating or taking care of land. The verse points out that even careful attention will not prevent the loss.
  • "Worms" (תּוֹלֵעָה, tole‘ah) refers to a type of grub or worm that eats fruit. The use of this word shows that the loss is not from human enemies or neglect, but from something small and uncontrollable.

Why Deuteronomy 28:39 matters

  • This verse clears up any idea that hard work alone guarantees success; it shows that circumstances outside human control can ruin even the best efforts.
  • Deuteronomy 28:39 connects to the larger section where Moses lists blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, making the consequences of Israel’s choices very concrete.
  • The mention of worms as the cause of loss emphasizes the powerlessness of the people in the face of God's judgment, underscoring the seriousness of the warning.

Where else these words appear

“gather” Hebrew H103 · used in 3 verses

  • Proverbs 6:8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
  • Proverbs 10:5 He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.

“worms” Hebrew H8438 · used in 43 verses

  • Exodus 16:20 Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto Moses; but some of them left of it until the morning, and it bred worms, and stank: and Moses was wroth with them.
  • Exodus 35:35 Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work.
  • Leviticus 14:6 As for the living bird, he shall take it, and the cedar wood, and the scarlet, and the hyssop, and shall dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water:

“plant” Hebrew H5193 · used in 55 verses

  • Genesis 2:8 And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.
  • Psalms 104:16 The trees of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted;
  • Jeremiah 12:2 Thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root: they grow, yea, they bring forth fruit: thou art near in their mouth, and far from their reins.

“vineyards” Hebrew H3754 · used in 82 verses

  • Genesis 9:20 And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard:
  • 1 Kings 21:2 And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near unto my house: and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money.
  • Isaiah 1:8 And the daughter of Zion is left as a cottage in a vineyard, as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city.