You shall carry much seed into the field and shall gather in little, for the locust shall consume it.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Deuteronomy 28:38
What does Deuteronomy 28:38 mean?
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Deuteronomy 28:38
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This verse highlights a cruel irony: despite diligent effort and abundant planting, the harvest is minuscule because pests, specifically locusts, will devour the crop. It’s a stark picture of labor seemingly rendered futile by forces beyond one’s control, illustrating the devastating impact of divine discipline on the very foundations of sustenance.
You shall carry much seed into the field and shall gather in little, for the locust shall consume it.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse is part of a long list of curses and consequences laid out by Moses, detailing what will happen to the Israelites if they disobey God. Following promises of blessings for obedience, this section describes devastating agricultural failures, such as crops being consumed by locusts, as direct results of their turning away from God and failing to uphold His commands. These curses are meant to show the severe impact of their disobedience, extending to every aspect of their lives and land.
Ever poured your heart into something, only to see it crumble? This verse paints a stark picture of what happens when devotion falters.
Deuteronomy 28 lays out two paths for Israel: one of abundant blessing for obedience, and another of devastating curses for disobedience.
Beyond the literal fields, what 'locusts' might be consuming the 'seed' of our lives today?
While Deuteronomy 28 speaks of physical devastation, the principle extends to our spiritual and emotional lives. The 'locust' represents anything that devours the good that God intends for us, often stemming from our own choices.
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Understand the original words
arbeh · Hebrew Noun
A small, migratory insect that appears in swarms and is frequently used in Scripture as an instrument of divine judgment to devour crops and bring famine upon a land.
This verse speaks of agricultural disaster, like locusts consuming crops, as a direct consequence of disobedience. It paints a vivid picture of how God's covenant curses could manifest in devastating, tangible ways, impacting the very livelihood of the people in the Promised Land.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Moses Delivers the Law
Moses reiterates God's laws and covenant stipulations to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land, including detailed blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience.
c. 931 BC
Division of the Kingdom
Following Solomon's reign, the united kingdom of Israel splits into two: the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. This division contributes to increasing religious and political instability.
722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern kingdom of Israel, deporting its population. This event serves as a stark warning to Judah about the consequences of disobedience.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Southern Kingdom
The Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar conquers Jerusalem, destroys the Temple, and exiles the people of Judah. This is a direct fulfillment of the curses for disobedience.
This passage from Joel vividly describes the consuming power of locusts, directly paralleling the imagery in Deuteronomy and highlighting the devastating impact of God's judgment on the land's produce.
Amos 4:9Amos speaks of God sending blight and mildew, which consumed crops despite ample sowing, echoing the theme of agricultural failure and God's hand in it, as seen in Deuteronomy.
Haggai 1:6The prophet Haggai directly addresses the people's meager harvests ('You have planted much, but harvested little') and attributes it to their lack of focus on rebuilding the temple, connecting disobedience to agricultural barrenness.
Leviticus 26:16This verse, also from the Law, lists 'blasting and mildew' as consequences of disobedience, reinforcing the pattern of agricultural curses for forsaking God's commands.
calvinDeuteronomy 28:15-68: "But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:"
- But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes, which I command thee this day, that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake th…
pooleDeuteronomy 28:38: "Thou shalt carry much seed out into the field, and shalt gather but little in; for the locust shall consume it."
No text from Poole on this verse.
This verse highlights a cruel irony: despite diligent effort and abundant planting, the harvest is minuscule because pests, specifically locusts, will devour the crop. It’s a stark picture of labor seemingly rendered futile by forces beyond one’s control, illustrating the devastating impact of divine discipline on the very foundations of sustenance.
This verse is part of a long list of curses and consequences laid out by Moses, detailing what will happen to the Israelites if they disobey God. Following promises of blessings for obedience, this section describes devastating agricultural failures, such as crops being consumed by locusts, as direct results of their turning away from God and failing to uphold His commands. These curses are meant to show the severe impact of their disobedience, extending to every aspect of their lives and land.
This verse is part of a long list of curses and consequences laid out by Moses, detailing what will happen to the Israelites if they disobey God. Following promises of blessings for obedience, this section describes devastating agricultural failures, such as crops being consumed by locusts, as direct results of their turning away from God and failing to uphold His commands. These curses are meant to show the severe impact of their disobedience, extending to every aspect of their lives and land.
"You shall carry much seed into the field and shall gather in little, for the locust shall consume it." — This verse highlights a cruel irony: despite diligent effort and abundant planting, the harvest is minuscule because pests, specifically locusts, will devour the crop. It’s a stark picture of labor s…
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Last reviewed October 2026