Word Study for G5452 (φυτεύω)

phyteúō /foot-yoo'-o/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom a derivative of φύω

Meaningto set out in the earth, i.e. implant; figuratively, to instil doctrine

KJV usageplant.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of phyteúō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word phyteúō, represented by G5452, means to set out in the earth, i.e. implant and is used figuratively to instil doctrine. It appears 12 times across 11 unique verses, illustrating concepts of divine origin, ministerial work, and agricultural stewardship.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, G5452 is used in both literal and figurative contexts. Jesus uses it in parables, such as the story of a householder who planted a vineyard, built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen (Matthew 21:33, Mark 12:1). It is also used to describe common activities of life, as in the days of Lot when people planted and builded Luke 17:28. Figuratively, the Apostle Paul uses it to describe his foundational ministry, stating, "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase" 1 Corinthians 3:6.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the meaning and application of G5452:

G5451 phyteía (plant): This noun form is used in conjunction with its verb counterpart. In Matthew 15:13, every plant that the Father has not planted will be rooted up.
G290 ampelṓn (vineyard): This is the most common setting for the action of planting. The word is used repeatedly in parables where a man planted a vineyard Luke 20:9.
G4222 potízō (to furnish drink, irrigate): This word is used in parallel with planting to describe different roles in ministry. One may plant, but another waters 1 Corinthians 3:8.
G1610 ekrizóō (to uproot): This action is the direct consequence for what is not properly planted. Anything not planted by the heavenly Father "shall be rooted up" Matthew 15:13.
G837 auxánō (to grow): This describes the result that only God can provide. While humans may plant and water, it is God who "giveth the increase" 1 Corinthians 3:7.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G5452 is significant, highlighting key spiritual principles.

Divine Initiative: The word establishes God as the ultimate source of spiritual life. Jesus states that any plant not planted by his heavenly Father will be rooted up, linking legitimacy and endurance to divine origin Matthew 15:13.
Ministerial Roles: Paul uses the imagery of planting to define the work of evangelism and church-founding. He clarifies that the one who planteth and the one who watereth are one, but they are distinct from God, who is ultimately responsible for growth 1 Corinthians 3:8.
Stewardship and Fruitfulness: In parables, the act of planting a vineyard serves as a setup to teach about responsibility and judgment. The right to enjoy the fruit of a vineyard is tied to the labor of planting it 1 Corinthians 9:7.

Summary

In summary, G5452 moves from the simple agricultural act of placing a plant in the ground to a powerful metaphor for spiritual work. It is used to describe everything from a fig tree in a vineyard Luke 13:6 to the foundational "instilling of doctrine" by an apostle 1 Corinthians 3:6. The word serves as a constant reminder that while human effort is involved in spiritual labor, the true source, authority, and power for growth rest with God alone.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 11 occurrences, inflected in 7 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Singular 4×
Present Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 2×
Aorist Active Indicative 1st Singular 1×
Aorist Passive Imperative 2nd Singular 1×
Imperfect Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
Perfect Passive Participle Accusative Singular Feminine 1×
Present Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Accusative: The direct object of the verb.
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
Feminine: Feminine grammatical gender.
1st: First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd: Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present: Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Imperfect: Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Perfect: A completed act whose results continue.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Passive: The subject is acted upon.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Imperative: A command or entreaty.
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 11 verses across 4 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Luke and 1 Corinthians (4 verses each); never once in the other 23.

Matthew

Mark

Luke

1 Corinthians

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.