4687. speiró
Lexical Summary
speiró: To sow

Original Word: σπείρω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: speiró
Pronunciation: spī'-rō
Phonetic Spelling: (spi'-ro)
KJV: sow(-er), receive seed
NASB: sown, sow, sows, sowed, sower, sower sows, sowing
Word Origin: [probably strengthened from G4685 (σπάω - drew) (through the idea of extending)]

1. to scatter, i.e. sow
{literally or figuratively}

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
sow, scatter

Probably strengthened from spao (through the idea of extending); to scatter, i.e. Sow (literally or figuratively) -- sow(- er), receive seed.

see GREEK spao

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
a prim. verb
Definition
to sow (seed)
NASB Translation
sow (13), sowed (6), sower (5), sower sows (1), sowing (1), sown (17), sows (8).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 4687: σπείρω

σπείρω; (imperfect 2 person singular ἐσπειρες, Matthew 13:27 Tr); 1 aorist ἔσπειρα; passive, present σπείρομαι; perfect passive participle ἐσπαρμενος; 2 aorist ἐσπάρην; (derived from the quick, jerky, motion of the hand; cf. our spurn (of the foot); Curtius, § 389); from Hesiod down; the Sept. for זָרַע ; to sow, scatter seed;

a. properly: absolutely, Matthew 6:26; Matthew 13:3f, 18; Mark 4:3f, 14; Luke 8:5; Luke 12:24; (John 5:36f (see in b.)); 2 Corinthians 9:10; with an accusative of the thing, as σπέρμα ζιζάνια, κόκκον (cf. Buttmann, § 131, 5): Matthew 13:24f (but in 25 L T Tr WH have ἐπέσπειρεν), 27,37,39; Mark 4:32: Luke 8:5; 1 Corinthians 15:36f; with specifications of place: εἰς τάς ἀκάνθας, Matthew 13:22; Mark 4:18; ἐν τῷ ἀγρῷ, Matthew 13:24 (31); ἐπί τῆς γῆς. Mark 4:31; ἐπί with an accusative of place, Matthew 13:20, 23; Mark 4:16, 20; παρά τήν ὁδόν, Matthew 13:19.

b. in proverbial sayings: absolutely, Matthew 25:24, 26; Luke 19:21; John 4:37; 2 Corinthians 9:6; τί, Galatians 6:7 (on these sayings see θερίζω, b.). in comparisons: σπρίειν εἰς τήν σάρκα, εἰς τό πνεῦμα (σάρξ and πνεῦμα are likened to fields to be sown), to do those things which satisfy the nature and promptings of the σάρξ or of the πνεῦμα, Galatians 6:8; τόν λόγον, to scatter the seeds of instruction, i. e. to impart instruction, Mark 4:14f; λόγος, ἐσπαρμενος ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις αὐτῶν, the ideas and precepts that have been implanted like seed in their hearts, i. e. received in their hearts, Mark 14:15 (here Tr text WH εἰς αὐτούς into their hearts T L marginal reading ἐν αὐτοῖς); οὗτος ἐστιν παρά τήν ὁδόν σπαρείς, this one experiences the fate of the seed sown by the wayside, Matthew 13:19; add, 20-23; Mark 4:16, 18, 20. τό σῶμα, the body, which after death is committed like seed to the earth, 1 Corinthians 15:42-44; καρπόν δικαιοσύνης, i. e. that seed which produces καρπόν δικαιοσύνης (see καρπός, 2 b.), James 3:18; σπείρειν τίνι τί, to give, manifest, something to one, from whom we may subsequently receive something else akin to a harvest (θερίζομεν), 1 Corinthians 9:11. (Compare: διασπείρω, ἐπισπείρω.)

Topical Lexicon
Agricultural Context in First-Century Palestine

The verb σπείρω (4687) draws its imagery from the regular rhythm of agrarian life in the ancient Near East. Sowing preceded the early rains and was performed by hand, the farmer casting seed broadly over ploughed soil. Harvest followed months later, linking labour, patience, prayer for rain, and trust in God’s providence (compare Deuteronomy 11:14). Every New Testament use of σπείρω taps into this shared experience, turning a familiar task into a living illustration of spiritual realities.

Primary Usage in the Teachings of Jesus

1. The Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13; Mark 4; Luke 8)
• Jesus’ foundational kingdom parable hinges on σπείρω: “The farmer sows the word” (Mark 4:14). The four soils depict varied heart responses, highlighting personal responsibility under divine invitation.
Matthew 13:19–23 repeatedly uses passive forms (e.g., “the seed sown on good soil” v.23) to stress reception; yet the active sower in verses 3, 37 portrays Christ Himself scattering life-giving truth.

2. The Wheat and the Tares (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43)
• “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man” (v.37), while the enemy “sowed weeds among the wheat” (v.25). Sowing here frames cosmic conflict yet guarantees final separation and vindication.

3. Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31; Mark 4:31-32)
• The smallest seed sown becomes “greater than all the garden plants,” assuring ultimate triumph from apparently insignificant beginnings.

4. Non-Parabolic Teaching
• Jesus contrasts anxious toil with Fatherly care: “They neither sow nor reap… yet your heavenly Father feeds them” (Matthew 6:26; Luke 12:24). The verb exposes self-reliance while encouraging faith.

Sowing and Reaping as a Moral and Spiritual Law

1. Pauline Epistles
1 Corinthians 9:11 extends the metaphor to ministry support: “If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much to reap a material harvest?” Legitimate remuneration upholds equity without commercialising the gospel.
2 Corinthians 9:6–10 elevates generosity: “Whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” God “supplies seed to the sower” (v.10), assuring resources for cheerful givers and abundance for every good work.
Galatians 6:7-8 universalises the principle: sowing to the flesh leads to corruption; sowing to the Spirit results in eternal life. The immutable divine order confronts hypocrisy and comforts persevering saints.

2. General Epistles
James 3:18 links peaceful conduct to a harvest of righteousness, urging believers to plant deeds that mirror heavenly wisdom.

3. Johannine Insight
John 4:36-38 celebrates the eschatological moment when “sower and reaper may rejoice together,” underscoring cooperative mission across generations.

Eschatological Application: Resurrection

Paul’s longest reflection on σπείρω appears in 1 Corinthians 15:36-44. The burial of the believer’s body is described as sowing:
• “What you sow does not come to life unless it dies” (v.36).
• “It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory… sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body” (vv.43-44).

Sowing therefore provides the canonical analogy for bodily resurrection—continuity with transformation, mortality giving way to immortality through Christ’s victory.

Sowing in Ministry and Stewardship

Beyond evangelism, σπείρω accents lifestyle investment: time, treasure, and talents placed in God’s field. Luke 19:21-22 and Matthew 25:24-26 quote hesitant servants who wrongly accuse their master of “reaping where you did not sow,” contrasting faithful risk with fearful inaction. Proper stewardship requires courageous sowing that trusts God for increase.

Community Ethics and Mercy

Peacemaking, restoration of the fallen (Galatians 6:1-2), and everyday kindness operate under the sowing motif. The church is pictured as a field where righteous deeds, shepherding, and sound teaching germinate and mature (1 Corinthians 3:6-9).

The Blessing of Divine Provision

2 Corinthians 9:10 reassures believers that God not only receives the seed of faith but “will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.” Material and spiritual sufficiency flow from the divine storehouse, refuting scarcity-driven anxiety and fostering glad dependence.

Canonical Harmony and Theological Consistency

Across Gospel narrative, Pauline argument, and wisdom exhortation, σπείρω maintains a unified message: God’s word and works, once sown, inevitably accomplish His purpose (compare Isaiah 55:10-11). Human agency co-operates without eclipsing sovereign oversight; judgment and reward respect the quality of the seed and soil alike.

Historical Interpretation in Church Tradition

Early exegetes—Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Augustine—identified the sower primarily with Christ and secondarily with His commissioned ministers. Medieval homilies applied sowing imagery to sacramental life, while Reformers restored the prominence of the preached word as seed. Modern missionaries likewise adopted the metaphor to frame evangelistic strategy and patient discipleship.

Practical Application For Contemporary Disciples

• Receive the planted word with a cultivated heart.
• Scatter gospel seed indiscriminately, trusting the Lord of the harvest.
• Sow generosity, peace, and righteousness, certain that eternal dividends await.
• Face death with resurrection hope, knowing the body laid in the ground is seed destined for glory.

Forms and Transliterations
επεσπειρεν ἐπέσπειρεν έσπαρκας εσπαρμένη εσπαρμενον εσπαρμένον ἐσπαρμένον εσπειρα ἔσπειρα εσπειραμεν εσπείραμεν ἐσπείραμεν έσπειραν εσπειρας έσπειρας ἔσπειρας εσπείρατε έσπειρε εσπειρεν έσπειρεν ἔσπειρεν σπαρεις σπαρείς σπαρεντες σπαρέντες σπαρη σπαρή σπαρῇ σπαρήσεσθε σπαρήσεται σπειραι σπείραι σπεῖραι σπείραιμι σπείραντες σπειραντι σπείραντι σπειραντος σπείραντος σπειρας σπείρας σπείρατε σπειρει σπειρεί σπείρει σπειρειν σπειρείν σπείρειν σπειρεις σπειρείς σπείρεις σπειρεται σπείρεται σπειρη σπείρη σπείρῃ σπείρης σπείρητε σπειρομενοι σπειρόμενοι σπειρόμενον σπείρον σπείροντες σπειροντι σπείροντι σπείροντος σπειρουσιν σπείρουσιν σπείρωμεν σπειρων σπείρων σπείρωσι σπείρωσιν σπερείς σπερείτε σπερώ epespeiren epéspeiren esparmenon esparménon espeira éspeira espeiramen espeíramen espeiras éspeiras espeiren éspeiren spare sparē sparêi sparē̂i spareis spareís sparentes sparéntes speirai speîrai speiranti speíranti speirantos speírantos speiras speíras speire speirē speirei speírei speírēi speirein speírein speireis speíreis speiretai speíretai speiromenoi speirómenoi speiron speirōn speíron speírōn speironti speíronti speirousin speírousin
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Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 6:26 V-PIA-3P
GRK: ὅτι οὐ σπείρουσιν οὐδὲ θερίζουσιν
NAS: of the air, that they do not sow, nor
KJV: of the air: for they sow not, neither
INT: that not they sow nor do they reap

Matthew 13:3 V-PPA-NMS
GRK: ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρων τοῦ σπείρειν
NAS: Behold, the sower went
KJV: Behold, a sower went forth
INT: went out the sower to sow

Matthew 13:3 V-PNA
GRK: σπείρων τοῦ σπείρειν
NAS: the sower went out to sow;
KJV: a sower went forth to sow;
INT: sower to sow

Matthew 13:4 V-PNA
GRK: ἐν τῷ σπείρειν αὐτὸν ἃ
NAS: and as he sowed, some [seeds] fell
KJV: when he sowed, some [seeds] fell
INT: as sowed he some

Matthew 13:18 V-APA-GMS
GRK: παραβολὴν τοῦ σπείραντος
NAS: then the parable of the sower.
KJV: therefore the parable of the sower.
INT: parable of the having sown

Matthew 13:19 V-RPM/P-ANS
GRK: ἁρπάζει τὸ ἐσπαρμένον ἐν τῇ
NAS: what has been sown in his heart.
KJV: that which was sown in
INT: snaches away that which was sown in the

Matthew 13:19 V-APP-NMS
GRK: τὴν ὁδὸν σπαρείς
NAS: This is the one on whom seed was sown beside
KJV: is he which received seed by
INT: the path having been sown

Matthew 13:20 V-APP-NMS
GRK: τὰ πετρώδη σπαρείς οὗτός ἐστιν
NAS: The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky
KJV: But he that received the seed into
INT: the rocky places having been sown this is

Matthew 13:22 V-APP-NMS
GRK: τὰς ἀκάνθας σπαρείς οὗτός ἐστιν
NAS: And the one on whom seed was sown among
KJV: He also that received seed among
INT: the thorns having been sown this is

Matthew 13:23 V-APP-NMS
GRK: καλὴν γῆν σπαρείς οὗτός ἐστιν
NAS: And the one on whom seed was sown on the good
KJV: But he that received seed into
INT: good ground having been sown this is

Matthew 13:24 V-APA-DMS
GRK: οὐρανῶν ἀνθρώπῳ σπείραντι καλὸν σπέρμα
NAS: to a man who sowed good
KJV: unto a man which sowed good
INT: heavens a man having sown good seed

Matthew 13:25 V-IIA-3S
GRK: ἐχθρὸς καὶ ἐπέσπειρεν ζιζάνια ἀνὰ
KJV: came and sowed tares among
INT: enemy and sowed weeds in [the]

Matthew 13:27 V-AIA-2S
GRK: καλὸν σπέρμα ἔσπειρας ἐν τῷ
NAS: to him, 'Sir, did you not sow good
KJV: didst not thou sow good seed
INT: good seed did you sow in

Matthew 13:31 V-AIA-3S
GRK: λαβὼν ἄνθρωπος ἔσπειρεν ἐν τῷ
NAS: a man took and sowed in his field;
KJV: a man took, and sowed in his
INT: having taken a man sowed in the

Matthew 13:37 V-PPA-NMS
GRK: εἶπεν Ὁ σπείρων τὸ καλὸν
NAS: And He said, The one who sows the good
KJV: unto them, He that soweth the good
INT: he said He who sows the good

Matthew 13:39 V-APA-NMS
GRK: ἐχθρὸς ὁ σπείρας αὐτά ἐστιν
NAS: and the enemy who sowed them is the devil,
KJV: The enemy that sowed them is
INT: [the] enemy the [one] having sown them is

Matthew 25:24 V-AIA-2S
GRK: ὅπου οὐκ ἔσπειρας καὶ συνάγων
NAS: where you did not sow and gathering
KJV: thou hast not sown, and gathering
INT: where not you did sow and gathering

Matthew 25:26 V-AIA-1S
GRK: ὅπου οὐκ ἔσπειρα καὶ συνάγω
NAS: where I did not sow and gather
KJV: I reap where I sowed not, and
INT: where not I sowed and gather

Mark 4:3 V-PPA-NMS
GRK: ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρων σπεῖραι
NAS: [to this]! Behold, the sower went
KJV: Behold, there went out a sower to sow:
INT: went out the sower to sow

Mark 4:3 V-ANA
GRK: ὁ σπείρων σπεῖραι
NAS: the sower went out to sow;
KJV: there went out a sower to sow:
INT: the sower to sow

Mark 4:4 V-PNA
GRK: ἐν τῷ σπείρειν ὃ μὲν
NAS: as he was sowing, some [seed] fell
KJV: as he sowed, some
INT: as he sowed some indeed

Mark 4:14 V-PPA-NMS
GRK: σπείρων τὸν λόγον
NAS: The sower sows the word.
KJV: The sower soweth the word.
INT: The sower the word

Mark 4:14 V-PIA-3S
GRK: τὸν λόγον σπείρει
NAS: The sower sows the word.
KJV: The sower soweth the word.
INT: the word sows

Mark 4:15 V-PIM/P-3S
GRK: ὁδὸν ὅπου σπείρεται ὁ λόγος
NAS: the word is sown; and when
KJV: where the word is sown; but when
INT: road where is sown the word

Mark 4:15 V-RPM/P-AMS
GRK: λόγον τὸν ἐσπαρμένον εἰς αὐτούς
NAS: the word which has been sown in them.
KJV: the word that was sown in
INT: word that has been sown in them

Strong's Greek 4687
53 Occurrences


ἐπέσπειρεν — 1 Occ.
ἐσπαρμένον — 2 Occ.
ἔσπειρα — 2 Occ.
ἐσπείραμεν — 1 Occ.
ἔσπειρας — 3 Occ.
ἔσπειρεν — 1 Occ.
σπαρῇ — 2 Occ.
σπαρείς — 4 Occ.
σπαρέντες — 1 Occ.
σπεῖραι — 2 Occ.
σπείραντι — 1 Occ.
σπείραντος — 1 Occ.
σπείρας — 1 Occ.
σπείρῃ — 1 Occ.
σπείρει — 1 Occ.
σπείρειν — 4 Occ.
σπείρεις — 3 Occ.
σπείρεται — 6 Occ.
σπείρων — 11 Occ.
σπειρόμενοι — 2 Occ.
σπείροντι — 1 Occ.
σπείρουσιν — 2 Occ.

4686
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