The Hebrew word zêrûwaʻ, represented by H2221, refers to something sown or a plant. Derived from the root verb zâraʻ H2232, meaning "to sow," it appears only 2 times in 2 unique verses. Its meaning encompasses both the act of sowing and the resulting plant that is sown.
The two uses of H2221 demonstrate its application in both literal and figurative contexts. In Leviticus, it is used in a legal sense concerning ritual purity, where a "sowing H2221 seed H2233" remains clean even if a carcase H5038 falls upon it Leviticus 11:37. In contrast, Isaiah employs the term poetically, comparing the way a garden H1593 causes "the things that are sown H2221" to spring forth H6779 with how the Lord H136 GOD H3069 will cause righteousness and praise to flourish Isaiah 61:11.
Several related words help clarify the agricultural and theological imagery associated with H2221:
- H2232 zâraʻ: This is the primitive root meaning to sow. It is used both literally, as when Isaac "sowed H2232 in that land" Genesis 26:12, and figuratively, as in the command to "Sow H2232 to yourselves in righteousness H6666" Hosea 10:12.
- H2233 zeraʻ: This word for seed or posterity appears alongside H2221 in Leviticus 11:37. It is foundational to promises of descendants and spiritual lineage, such as the promise concerning the "seed H2233" of the woman in Genesis 3:15.
- H6779 tsâmach: Meaning to sprout or spring forth, this verb describes the result of what is sown. In Isaiah 61:11, it is used for both the plants in a garden and for the righteousness God causes to emerge.
- H6780 tsemach: This noun for a bud or branch is used in parallel with H2221 in Isaiah 61:11. It often carries messianic weight, as when God promises to raise up a righteous "Branch H6780" to David Jeremiah 23:5.
The theological weight of H2221 is seen in its two distinct applications.
- Principle of Enduring Life: Leviticus 11:37 establishes a legal principle where a "sowing H2221 seed H2233" is not defiled by contact with a carcase H5038, suggesting a divine protection over the potential for life contained within the seed.
- Analogy of Divine Action: In Isaiah 61:11, the natural process of "the things that are sown H2221" sprouting in a garden H1593 becomes a powerful metaphor for the certainty and visibility of God's redemptive work.
- Source of Spiritual Fruit: The word is used figuratively to illustrate how the Lord H136 GOD H3069 will cause righteousness H6666 and praise H8416 to "spring forth H6779" before all nations H1471, linking the agricultural act to the spiritual harvest God produces.
In summary, zêrûwaʻ H2221, though rare, provides a specific and potent image. It moves from a literal designation for "sowing seed" within Mosaic law to a powerful prophetic metaphor. It illustrates how God's work of bringing forth righteousness and praise is as certain and natural as a plant springing from the earth, grounding abstract theological promises in the tangible world of agriculture.
TRV