from זָרַע; something sown, i.e. a plant; sowing, thing that is sown.
Transliteration:zêrûwaʻ
Pronunciation:zay-roo'-ah
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun זֵרוּעַ (zêrûwaʻ, `{{H2221}}`) is derived from the verbal root זָרַע (zaraʻ, `{{H2232}}`), meaning "to sow," "to scatter seed," or "to plant." As a noun, זֵרוּעַ fundamentally signifies "something sown" or "that which is sown." Its semantic range encompasses:
* A "plant" or "vegetation" that originates from a seed.
* The "produce" or "yield" resulting from the act of sowing.
* Less commonly, it can implicitly refer to the "act of sowing" itself, drawing directly from its verbal root.
The word is deeply rooted in an agricultural context, directly linking to the processes of cultivation, growth, and harvest.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term זֵרוּעַ (zêrûwaʻ, `{{H2221}}`) appears infrequently in the Hebrew Bible, primarily in passages pertaining to agricultural practices and divine provision.
* In [[Leviticus 11:37]], the phrase "any sowing seed" (כָּל־זֶרַע זֵרוּעַ) is used in the context of dietary and ritual purity laws. It refers to seed intended for planting that might become ritually unclean if a carcass falls upon it. This emphasizes the vital importance of seed for future crops and the meticulous concern for its purity within the Israelite legal framework. The construction זֶרַע זֵרוּעַ serves as a specific descriptor, highlighting seed *for the purpose of sowing*.
* The discussion continues in [[Leviticus 11:38]], reiterating that if water is applied to the seed and then an unclean carcass falls upon it, the seed becomes defiled. This further underscores the practical and theological concerns for maintaining ritual purity even in the most fundamental aspects of daily life, such as agriculture.
* A profound metaphorical usage is found in [[Isaiah 61:11]]: "For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations." Here, "what is sown" (וְכַגַּנָּה זֵרוּעֶיהָ תַצְמִיחַ) beautifully illustrates the certainty and organic nature of God's work. Just as a planted seed inevitably grows and yields fruit, so too will God's righteousness and praise emerge and flourish universally. This usage extends the word's meaning beyond the literal agricultural product to encompass spiritual and eschatological realities.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **זָרַע (zaraʻ, `{{H2232}}`):** This is the foundational verbal root from which זֵרוּעַ is derived. It means "to sow," "to scatter seed," or "to beget." Understanding this root is essential for grasping the core meaning of זֵרוּעַ.
* **זֶרַע (zeraʻ, `{{H2233}}`):** A highly significant and much more frequently occurring noun, also from the root זָרַע. It broadly refers to "seed" (literal, e.g., grain, plant seed), "offspring," "descendants," or "sowing." While זֵרוּעַ specifically denotes *that which has been sown* or *a plant*, זֶרַע is broader, encompassing the seed itself and its genealogical implications. In contexts like [[Leviticus 11:37]], זֵרוּעַ often qualifies זֶרַע, specifying its function as "sowing seed."
* **Agricultural Terminology:** The semantic field of זֵרוּעַ includes other terms related to cultivation, such as "field" (שָׂדֶה, `{{H7704}}`), "harvest" (קָצִיר, `{{H7105}}`), "fruit" (פְּרִי, `{{H6529}}`), and "plant" (צֶמַח, `{{H6780}}`), all of which contribute to the rich agricultural imagery prevalent in the biblical text.
* **Metaphorical Sowing and Reaping:** While זֵרוּעַ itself is less frequently used metaphorically than its root זָרַע or the noun זֶרַע, its appearance in [[Isaiah 61:11]] connects it to the broader biblical principle that actions (sowing) lead to consequences (reaping), whether physical or spiritual.
### Theological Significance
* **Divine Providence and Sustenance:** The very concept of "sown things" (plants, crops) points to God's faithful provision for humanity. Agriculture was the bedrock of ancient Israelite society, and the ability to sow and harvest was understood as a direct blessing from God, ensuring food and life itself. The laws concerning זֵרוּעַ in Leviticus underscore the sacredness of this divine provision.
* **Purity and Holiness:** The detailed regulations in [[Leviticus 11:37-38]] regarding the cleanness of זֵרוּעַ highlight the pervasive importance of purity and holiness in all aspects of Israelite life, even in the seemingly mundane act of farming. This reflects a fundamental theological principle that God's covenant people were to be set apart and holy, extending to their interaction with the natural world and the produce it yielded.
* **Hope and Eschatological Certainty:** The metaphorical use of זֵרוּעַ in [[Isaiah 61:11]] is profoundly significant. It portrays God's work in the world as an organic, certain, and irresistible process of growth. Just as a seed, once sown, is destined to grow and bear fruit, so too is God's righteousness and praise guaranteed to spring forth and be manifest before all nations. This imagery provides a powerful source of hope, affirming the ultimate triumph of God's redemptive plan and the flourishing of His kingdom.
* **Principle of Growth and Transformation:** The "sown thing" represents potential for future growth and transformation. In the context of Isaiah, it illustrates how God initiates a process (sowing righteousness) that will inevitably lead to a glorious outcome (springing forth of praise). This speaks to the dynamic and transformative power inherent in God's actions.
### Summary
זֵרוּעַ (zêrûwaʻ, `{{H2221}}`) is a Hebrew noun derived from the verb "to sow" (זָרַע, `{{H2232}}`), primarily denoting "something sown" or "a plant" that grows from seed. Its limited occurrences in the Hebrew Bible are primarily found in the Levitical laws concerning the ritual purity of seed intended for sowing ([[Leviticus 11:37-38]]), which underscores the divine concern for the sanctity of provision and the meticulousness of Israelite purity laws. Most notably, in [[Isaiah 61:11]], זֵרוּעַ is employed in a powerful metaphor, likening the certain and organic springing forth of God's righteousness and praise to a garden causing its sown seeds to sprout. Thus, זֵרוּעַ encapsulates themes of divine provision, ritual purity, and the assured hope of God's transformative work, illustrating the natural process of growth as a profound reflection of spiritual truth and eschatological certainty.
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