a primitive root; to sow; figuratively, to disseminate, plant, fructify; bear, conceive seed, set with sow(-er), yield.
Transliteration:zâraʻ
Pronunciation:zaw-rah'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew verb `{{H2232}}` (זָרַע, *zâraʻ*) is a primitive root whose core meaning is "to sow" or "to scatter seed." This primary agricultural sense forms the foundation for its broader semantic range. Literally, it refers to the act of planting seeds in the ground, anticipating a future harvest. Figuratively, its meaning expands significantly to encompass:
1. **Dissemination/Propagation:** To spread or scatter, not just physical seeds but also ideas, words, or principles.
2. **Planting/Establishing:** To initiate or set something in place, much like planting a new crop or establishing a lineage.
3. **Fructification/Bearing:** To produce fruit, offspring, or a yield, implying the outcome of what has been sown. This can refer to the bearing of children ("conceive seed") or the natural production of the earth.
4. **Yielding:** To produce a result or outcome, often in the context of a harvest, whether literal or metaphorical.
The underlying concept is one of initiation leading to a future outcome, often involving a process of growth and development.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb `{{H2232}}` appears frequently in the Old Testament, illuminating both its literal and figurative applications:
* **Literal Agricultural Context:** The most straightforward usage pertains to farming practices. Noah, after the flood, is described as the first to "sow" a vineyard ([[Genesis 9:20]]). Laws in the Pentateuch often refer to the act of sowing, such as the prohibition against sowing mixed seeds ([[Leviticus 19:19]]) or the command to let the land lie fallow during the Sabbath year, when one "shall neither sow thy field, nor prune thy vineyard" ([[Leviticus 25:4]]). These passages highlight the practical importance of sowing for sustenance and the divine regulations governing agricultural life.
* **Procreation and Descendants:** `{{H2232}}` is frequently used in the context of human procreation, referring to the "sowing" of seed to produce offspring. This is particularly prominent in the patriarchal narratives, where God promises Abraham that his "seed" (a noun derived from `{{H2232}}`, `{{H2233}}`) will be countless ([[Genesis 22:17]]). The verb can describe a man "sowing his seed" to raise up a lineage ([[Deuteronomy 22:9]]). This usage underscores the divine blessing of fruitfulness and the continuation of generations.
* **Moral and Ethical Consequences (Sowing and Reaping):** A profound metaphorical use of `{{H2232}}` is found in the wisdom literature and prophetic books, establishing the principle of moral causality. One "sows" actions (righteous or wicked) and "reaps" their corresponding consequences. "He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity" ([[Proverbs 22:8]]). Hosea famously declares, "For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind" ([[Hosea 8:7]]), illustrating the destructive outcome of rebellious actions. This concept emphasizes divine justice and the inherent connection between human deeds and their inevitable results.
* **Spiritual and Divine Action:** God Himself is sometimes depicted as the Sower. In Jeremiah, God promises to "sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man and with the seed of beast" ([[Jeremiah 31:27]]), signifying His intention to multiply and restore His people. This highlights God's active role in bringing about His purposes and blessings.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of `{{H2232}}` is rich and interconnected:
* **`{{H2233}}` (זרע, *zeraʻ*):** This is the most direct cognate, a masculine noun meaning "seed," "sowing," or "offspring/descendants." It is crucial for understanding the results of the verb `{{H2232}}`, whether it refers to literal grain, a sown field, or a person's lineage. The concept of "seed" is fundamental to the Abrahamic covenant and messianic prophecy.
* **`{{H2236}}` (מזרע, *mizraʻ*):** Another related noun, meaning "sown land" or "sowing."
* **Harvest/Reaping:** The act of sowing inherently anticipates a harvest (קָצִיר, *qatsir*) and reaping (קָצַר, *qatsar*). These terms form a natural pair with `{{H2232}}`, completing the agricultural cycle and reinforcing the principle of consequences.
* **Fruit/Produce:** The "fruit" (פְּרִי, *pĕrî*) or "produce" (תְּבוּאָה, *tĕvûʼâ*) are the tangible results of what has been sown, extending the metaphor to the outcomes of actions or divine blessings.
* **Lineage/Descendants:** Directly tied to the concept of "seed" (`{{H2233}}`), emphasizing the continuation of family lines and the fulfillment of promises.
* **Covenant:** God's promises, particularly to Abraham concerning his numerous "seed," are foundational to understanding God's faithfulness and redemptive plan.
### Theological Significance
The word `{{H2232}}` carries profound theological weight, extending far beyond its literal agricultural roots:
* **Divine Sovereignty and Providence:** God is presented as the ultimate Sower, who not only establishes the natural order of sowing and reaping but also "sows" His people and His purposes into history. His promises of "seed" (e.g., to Abraham) demonstrate His providential care and sovereign plan for humanity, culminating in the "seed of the woman" ([[Genesis 3:15]]) and the "seed of David" (the Messiah).
* **Moral Accountability and Justice:** The principle of "sowing and reaping" is a cornerstone of biblical ethics. It teaches that human actions, whether righteous or wicked, have inevitable consequences. This is not merely a natural law but a reflection of God's just character, ensuring that deeds bear their appropriate fruit. It underscores human responsibility before a holy God.
* **Redemptive History:** The concept of "seed" is central to the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. From the proto-evangelium in [[Genesis 3:15]] to the promise of a numerous "seed" to Abraham ([[Genesis 12:7]]), and ultimately to the singular "seed" who is Christ ([[Galatians 3:16]]), `{{H2232}}` and its cognates trace the lineage of salvation.
* **Spiritual Transformation and Growth:** In the New Testament, the metaphor of sowing is extended to the spreading of the Gospel and the spiritual life. Jesus' parable of the sower ([[Matthew 13:3-9]]) illustrates the varying receptions of the "word of the kingdom" (the seed). Paul further develops this, contrasting "sowing to the flesh" with "sowing to the Spirit," with vastly different eternal outcomes ([[Galatians 6:7-8]]). This highlights the internal moral choices that shape one's spiritual destiny.
* **Hope and Resurrection:** The act of sowing a seed that "dies" in the ground only to produce new life is a powerful metaphor for resurrection and future hope. Paul uses this imagery to explain the nature of the resurrected body ([[1 Corinthians 15:36-38]]), linking the physical act of sowing to the ultimate spiritual harvest.
### Summary
The Hebrew verb `{{H2232}}` (זָרַע, *zâraʻ*), while primarily denoting the agricultural act of "to sow," possesses a profound semantic breadth that permeates biblical theology. It encompasses the literal planting of seeds, the procreation of offspring, and, most significantly, the moral and spiritual principle of sowing and reaping. This word is foundational to understanding divine justice, human accountability, and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through the promised "seed." From the agricultural cycle to the spiritual harvest, `{{H2232}}` reminds us that actions have consequences, that God is sovereign in His provision and judgment, and that the future is inextricably linked to what is sown in the present.
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