Word Study for G722 (ἀροτριόω)

arotrióō /ar-ot-ree-o'-o/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom ἄροτρον

Meaningto plow

KJV usageplough.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of arotrióō — 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 arotrióō, represented by G722, is a verb meaning to plow. Derived from the word for a plow, it appears 3 times across 2 unique verses in the Bible. Its use, though infrequent, captures the essence of foundational, preparatory labor.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, G722 is used both literally and metaphorically. In a parable, it describes the expected duties of a servant who has been plowing in the field Luke 17:7. More significantly, it is used as an analogy for spiritual labor, where it is written that "he that ploweth should plow in hope" 1 Corinthians 9:10. This establishes a direct connection between the physical act of plowing and the spiritual principle of working with the expectation of a future harvest.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related agricultural terms appear alongside G722, providing a richer picture of the labor being described:

G248 aloáō (to tread out grain:--thresh, tread out the corn): This word for threshing appears with plowing in the same spiritual analogy, illustrating the full process from preparation to harvest 1 Corinthians 9:10.
G4165 poimaínō (to tend as a shepherd of (figuratively, superviser):--feed (cattle), rule): This term is used in parallel with plowing to describe the work of a servant, encompassing both tilling the land and caring for livestock Luke 17:7.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of G722 centers on the nature of spiritual work and its reward.

Laboring in Hope: The primary point drawn from the act of plowing is that spiritual work should be done with hope. Just as a farmer plows expecting to partake in the crop, those who labor in the gospel have a right to live from it 1 Corinthians 9:10.
Foundation for Ministry: Plowing is the initial, essential work that prepares the ground for seed. It serves as a metaphor for the foundational work of ministry, which is undertaken in faith for a future result.
The Nature of Service: The illustration of the servant plowing underscores the theme of dutiful service. The work is demanding and does not entitle one to immediate rest or honor, but is part of the servant's expected role Luke 17:7.

Summary

In summary, G722 is a specific agricultural term that scripture elevates to illustrate profound spiritual truths. While its literal meaning refers to the simple act of plowing, its metaphorical application in the context of ministry and service provides a powerful lesson on working in hope, the right of a laborer to a reward, and the humble nature of a servant's duty.

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 3 occurrences, inflected in 3 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Present Active Infinitive 1×
Present Active Participle Accusative Singular Masculine 1×
Present Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Accusative: The direct object of the verb.
Singular: One.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
Present: Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Infinitive: The verb as a noun — "to do".
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 2 verses across 2 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Luke and 1 Corinthians (1 verse each); never once in the other 25.

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.