Deuteronomy 22:9-11
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The verse prohibits mixing seeds in a vineyard, not just to prevent crops from being physically spoiled, but because this act would "defile" the harvest. This "defilement" signifies that the entire yield becomes unlawful and unfit for use, highlighting a profound principle: mixing God's sacred commands with human invention pollutes and renders everything unusable in His sight.
“You shall not sow your vineyard with two kinds of seed, lest the whole yield be forfeited, the crop that you have sown and the yield of the vineyard. You shall not plow with an ox and a donkey together. You shall not wear cloth of wool and linen mixed together.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage comes after laws about specific situations like returning lost animals and not forcing people into labor. It continues a series of regulations designed to set Israel apart as a holy nation, emphasizing purity and order. These instructions, though seemingly small, prepare the way for deeper understanding about avoiding mixed influences and maintaining spiritual integrity in all aspects of life.
Ever wondered why the Bible gets so specific about farming rules? It's not just about crops, but about a deeper principle of holiness.
God's people were called to be distinct, set apart for Him. This wasn't about arbitrary rules, but about reflecting His holy nature in every aspect of life, even in the field.
Cultivating Distinctness
Deuteronomy 22:9 instructs Israel not to sow their vineyards with two kinds of seed. The commentaries highlight that this prohibition applied to planting different grains or plants among the vines.
Why such a specific command? It served as a tangible reminder that Israel was meant to be different from the surrounding nations. Their lives, their practices, and even their agriculture were to be governed by God's distinct standards, not the common practices of the world.
This principle extends beyond farming. It calls us to consider how we can live distinctly, honoring God in our choices and commitments, and avoiding a careless mixing of His ways with the world's.
The command against mixing seeds isn't just a farming regulation; it's a powerful symbol with profound spiritual implications.
The prohibition against sowing different kinds of seed in the vineyard carried a symbolic weight. Commentaries point out that such mixtures could 'defile' the crop, making it unlawful or unfit for use.
The Danger of 'Unequal Yokes'
This concept of 'defilement' through mixture is a recurring theme. It speaks to the spiritual danger of blending sacred things with secular, or God's ways with worldly philosophies or practices. It's like planting doubt in a field of faith.
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The commentaries link this to other laws, like not yoking an ox and a donkey together (Deuteronomy 22:10). The ox was clean, fit for sacrifice, while the donkey was unclean. Mixing them represented a disregard for the holy distinctions God established.
This principle cautions us against 'unequal yokes' in our own lives – relationships, beliefs, or habits that compromise our commitment to God and His standards.
Understand the original words
kerem · Hebrew Noun
The act of setting apart or reserving land for specific cultivation; a vineyard specifically represents a place of fruitfulness and labor. Sowing different seeds in one vineyard is forbidden, reflecting a broader biblical principle of integrity, purity, and keeping things distinct according to God’s design.
mle’ah · Hebrew Noun
A general term for agricultural produce or the outcome of one's labor. In a legal and spiritual sense, the forfeiture or 'consecration' of the crop emphasizes that mixing elements against God's law results in the loss of blessing.
shor · Hebrew Noun
A beast of burden commonly used in the ancient Near East for labor. The prohibition against yoking an ox and a donkey together highlights the principle of stewardship and consideration for the differences in strength and nature of animals, mirroring the command against unequal yoking in human relationships.
chamor · Hebrew Noun
A domesticated animal used for transport and labor, known for being smaller and having a different temperament than an ox. Its coupling with the ox is forbidden to prevent undue hardship on the weaker animal and to uphold order in agricultural practice.
tsemer · Hebrew Noun
A type of fabric made from the fiber of the sheep, frequently used in the Bible for clothing and offerings. In the law, mixing it with linen was forbidden to illustrate the concept of distinction and holiness.
pishtim · Hebrew Noun
A fabric made from the flax plant, often associated with purity, priestly garments, and fine status. Combining it with wool was prohibited, symbolizing the importance of separation and integrity in Israel's identity.
This passage also prohibits mixing different kinds of seeds, establishing a pattern of commands that promote purity and separation in Israel's life and agriculture.
2 Corinthians 6:14The Apostle Paul directly applies the principle of not mixing the dissimilar to the spiritual life, urging believers not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers, highlighting the core idea of maintaining spiritual distinctiveness.
1 Timothy 4:5This verse speaks to the idea that everything can be made holy by the word of God and prayer, contrasting with the concept in Deuteronomy that mixing things can make them 'defiled' or unfit for use.
Romans 12:2This verse calls believers to not be conformed to the world but to be transformed by the renewal of their minds, echoing the spirit of Deuteronomy's commands for a distinct way of life separate from surrounding cultures.
pooleDeuteronomy 22:9: "Thou shalt not sow thy vineyard with divers seeds: lest the fruit of thy seed which thou hast sown, and the fruit of thy vineyard, be defiled."
With divers seeds; either, 1. With divers kinds of seed mixed and sowed together between the rows of vines in thy vineyard; which was forbidden to be done in the field, Leviticus 19:19 , and here in the vineyard. Or, 2. With any kind of seed differing from that of the vine, which would produce either herbs, or corn, or fruit-bearing t…
ellicottDeuteronomy 22:9: "Thou shalt not sow thy vineyard with divers seeds: lest the fruit of thy seed which thou hast sown, and the fruit of thy vineyard, be defiled."
(9-11) These precepts appear also in Leviticus 19:19 , more briefly. (9) Defiled—or sanctified. Different crops become “common” at different times. The year’s corn was freed by the wave-sheaf and wave-loaves. The trees not for five years. The rule about the ox and the ass may rest partly on the ground of humanity, the step and the pul…
The verse prohibits mixing seeds in a vineyard, not just to prevent crops from being physically spoiled, but because this act would "defile" the harvest. This "defilement" signifies that the entire yield becomes unlawful and unfit for use, highlighting a profound principle: mixing God's sacred commands with human invention pollutes and renders everything unusable in His sight.
This passage comes after laws about specific situations like returning lost animals and not forcing people into labor. It continues a series of regulations designed to set Israel apart as a holy nation, emphasizing purity and order. These instructions, though seemingly small, prepare the way for deeper understanding about avoiding mixed influences and maintaining spiritual integrity in all aspects of life.
This passage comes after laws about specific situations like returning lost animals and not forcing people into labor. It continues a series of regulations designed to set Israel apart as a holy nation, emphasizing purity and order. These instructions, though seemingly small, prepare the way for deeper understanding about avoiding mixed influences and maintaining spiritual integrity in all aspects of life.
"“You shall not sow your vineyard with two kinds of seed, lest the whole yield be forfeited, the crop that you have sown and the yield of the vineyard. You shall not plow with an ox and a donkey together. You shall not wear cloth of wool an…" — The verse prohibits mixing seeds in a vineyard, not just to prevent crops from being physically spoiled, but because this act would "defile" the harvest. This "defilement" signifies that the entire y…
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Last reviewed October 2026
