Biblical Verses Biblical Verses & Resources

Book of Deuteronomy - Chapter 28 - Verse 30

28:30
Thou shalt betroth a wife, and another man shall lie with her: thou shalt build an house, and thou shalt not dwell therein: thou shalt plant a vineyard, and shalt not gather the grapes thereof.

Meaning

The verse you are referencing is from Deuteronomy 28:30, which is a part of the blessings and curses pronounced upon the people of Israel by Moses. In this particular verse, Moses is warning the Israelites of the consequences of their disobedience to God's commands. The verse speaks to the idea of laboring for something only to see it taken away or enjoyed by someone else. This can be interpreted as a form of punishment for failing to follow God's laws. By mentioning betrothing a wife only to have another man lie with her, building a house that will not be inhabited, and planting a vineyard but not reaping its fruits, Moses is emphasizing the concept of losing the fruits of one's labor when deviating from God's will. It serves as a cautionary tale to remind the Israelites of the importance of obedience and the consequences of straying away from God's path.

Theological Overview

Within this verse, there is a clear message about the consequences of disobedience and injustice. The language used paints a vivid picture of the frustration and disappointment that may come from putting in hard work and not being able to enjoy the fruits of one's labor. The imagery of betrothing a wife only to have another take her, building a house but not living in it, and planting a vineyard but never tasting its grapes, symbolizes the idea of working diligently towards a goal only to have it taken away or not fully realized. From a theological perspective, this verse can be seen as a reflection of the importance of staying faithful and committed to God's ways, as straying from them can lead to disappointment and unfulfillment. In the context of word studies, terms such as "betroth," "lie with her," "build a house," "dwell therein," "plant a vineyard," and "gather the grapes thereof" provide rich insight into the consequences of actions and the importance of faithfulness in biblical teachings.

American Standard Version

Thou shalt betroth a wife, and another man shall lie with her: thou shalt build a house, and thou shalt not dwell therein: thou shalt plant a vineyard, and shalt not use the fruit thereof.
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