Deuteronomy 22:9 kjv
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.
Deuteronomy 22:9 nkjv
"You shall not sow your vineyard with different kinds of seed, lest the yield of the seed which you have sown and the fruit of your vineyard be defiled.
Deuteronomy 22:9 niv
Do not plant two kinds of seed in your vineyard; if you do, not only the crops you plant but also the fruit of the vineyard will be defiled.
Deuteronomy 22:9 esv
"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.
Deuteronomy 22:9 nlt
"You must not plant any other crop between the rows of your vineyard. If you do, you are forbidden to use either the grapes from the vineyard or the other crop.
Deuteronomy 22 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lev 19:19 | Ye shall keep my statutes... thou shalt not sow thy field with mingled seed... | Prohibition of mingled seeds/kinds |
| Deut 22:10 | Thou shalt not plow with an ox and an ass together. | Prohibition of unequal yoking |
| Deut 22:11 | Thou shalt not wear a garment of divers sorts, as of woollen and linen... | Prohibition of mixed fabrics (sha'atnez) |
| Gen 1:11-12 | ...grass, the herb yielding seed... after his kind... and God saw that it was good. | God's creation in distinct kinds |
| Gen 1:21 | ...every winged fowl after his kind... | God's creation in distinct kinds |
| Lev 10:10 | And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean; | Principle of distinction and separation |
| Hag 1:6 | Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough... | Consequences of disobedience in sowing/harvest |
| Deut 28:15-18 | ...if thou wilt not hearken... thy field nor thy vineyard. | Curses for disobedience, impacting produce |
| Lev 26:19-20 | And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron... | Consequences of disobedience, impacting land |
| Matt 6:24 | No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one... | Spiritual principle of singular devotion |
| 2 Cor 6:14-17 | Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship... | NT spiritual application of unequal yoking |
| Jas 1:8 | A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. | Spiritual principle of divided loyalty |
| 1 Kgs 18:21 | How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him... | Undivided devotion to God |
| Ezra 6:21 | And the children of Israel... separated themselves from the filthiness of the heathen... | Post-exilic commitment to separation |
| Num 18:14 | Every thing devoted in Israel shall be thine. | Principle of consecrated/forfeited things |
| Josh 6:17 | And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein... | Principle of things devoted to destruction |
| Isa 5:1-7 | For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel... | Vineyard symbolizing Israel or God's people |
| Joel 1:11-12 | Be ye ashamed, O ye husbandmen... the vine is dried up... | Consequences of divine judgment on agriculture |
| Jer 12:10 | Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion... | Metaphor of vineyard in judgment |
| Prov 24:30-31 | I went by the field of the slothful... and, lo, it was all grown over with thorns... | Principle of diligent cultivation |
Deuteronomy 22 verses
Deuteronomy 22 9 Meaning
Deuteronomy 22:9 forbids the planting of "divers seeds" within one's vineyard. This command is part of the broader category of kil'ayim (כִּלְאַיִם) laws, which prohibit various kinds of mixtures—whether in plants, animals, or clothing. The purpose of this specific prohibition is to prevent the produce from becoming "defiled" or "forfeited," meaning it would be set apart to God and thus unusable by the owner as a consequence of violating His ordained order. This law emphasizes the divine establishment of distinct categories and the call for Israel to maintain purity and separation.
Deuteronomy 22 9 Context
Deuteronomy 22 is part of the Deuteronomic legal code, a collection of civil and ceremonial laws given to Israel as they stood poised to enter the Promised Land. This chapter, specifically, deals with a range of social, ethical, and ritual commands, from protecting one's neighbor's lost property to rules regarding sexual purity and proper attire. Verses 9-11 form a distinct block concerning kil'ayim or forbidden mixtures, covering agriculture, animal husbandry, and clothing. These laws served to delineate Israel as a holy nation, distinct from the pagan practices of the surrounding Canaanite cultures. The Canaanite beliefs often embraced a blurring of categories, and chaotic fertility rites, while God's law emphasized order, separation, and purity, reflecting His character as Creator of distinct kinds. The vineyard, a symbol of blessing and prosperity in Israel, receives specific protection under this law.
Deuteronomy 22 9 Word analysis
- Thou shalt not sow: A direct negative command (`lo' tizra'`), conveying an absolute prohibition. It signifies an action to be entirely avoided, underscoring the divine decree.
- thy vineyard: Hebrew `karem` (כֶּרֶם). A cultivated field of grapevines, symbolizing Israel's blessings and often used as a metaphor for the nation itself or God's people. Its importance means the integrity of its produce is paramount.
- with divers seeds: Hebrew `shnei zera'im` (שְׁנֵי זְרָעִים), literally "two kinds of seed." This is not merely about a multitude of different seeds, but specifically the mixing of two distinct types of crops (e.g., grain, vegetables) within a vineyard's primary cultivation. The prohibition upholds the natural distinction between plant species.
- lest the fruit of thy seed which thou hast sown, and the fruit of thy vineyard, be defiled:
- defiled: The Hebrew word is `tikdash` (תִּקְדַשׁ), from the root `qadosh` (קָדַשׁ), meaning "holy," "set apart," or "consecrated." In this context, it implies a negative consequence: the produce becomes "sacred" or "consecrated" to God in such a way that it is forfeited by the owner. It becomes `cherem` (חרם) – devoted, meaning it cannot be used for personal consumption and must be destroyed or given to the priests. This is not about agricultural spoilage but a divine appropriation due to transgression.
- fruit of thy seed: Refers to the yield of the `divers seeds` improperly sown (e.g., the corn grown within the vineyard).
- and the fruit of thy vineyard: Refers to the traditional produce of the vineyard itself (the grapes). Both yields are affected by the transgression, emphasizing the severity of the mixture.
Deuteronomy 22 9 Bonus section
Rabbinic interpretations and oral traditions extensively debated the practical application of this verse, focusing on specific plant combinations (e.g., grains, legumes with grapes), necessary separation distances, and precise definitions of "two kinds." The meticulous nature of these discussions highlighted the immense importance placed on preserving God's order and distinctions. The emphasis on the vineyard, a symbol of investment, sustenance, and ultimately Israel itself (as per Isaiah 5:1-7), may indicate its particular vulnerability to this kind of "defilement." Scholars also note that these laws could serve as a direct polemic against Canaanite magical practices that sometimes involved intentional mixing of species for fertility rituals, a stark contrast to Israel's God-ordained purity and order. These laws teach not only separation from foreign customs but also a deep respect for the Creator's design embedded in the very fabric of nature.
Deuteronomy 22 9 Commentary
Deuteronomy 22:9 serves as a crucial point within the kil'ayim laws, reinforcing the foundational principle of divine order and separation. God, as Creator, established distinct "kinds" in creation, and His laws often mirrored this distinction, guiding Israel to live a life characterized by purity and singularity of devotion. The prohibition against mixing seeds in a vineyard was not merely agricultural advice; it was a profound theological statement. When distinct kinds are blurred, the inherent order established by God is violated, rendering the resulting produce "defiled" or forfeited to Him. This forfeiture underscores the gravity of transgressing divine boundaries, highlighting that such mixtures are an offense that leads to a loss of the very blessings sought from the land. Spiritually, this command points to the need for believers to live lives of purity and uncompromising devotion, avoiding "unequal yokes" or syncretism that blends the holy with the unholy, lest their spiritual "produce" also be rendered useless for God's purposes. For example, trying to blend devotion to God with pursuit of worldly pleasures can "defile" one's spiritual fruitfulness.