Lexical Summary sug: To turn back, to retreat, to backslide Original Word: שׂוּג Strong's Exhaustive Concordance make to grow A primitive root; to hedge in -- make to grow. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originthe same as sug, q.v. Topical Lexicon Meaning and imagery Though appearing only once, שׂוּג depicts the deliberate action of urging plants toward vigorous, rapid growth—picturing human effort that seeks to accelerate prosperity. Old Testament occurrence Isaiah 17:11: “In the day that you plant, you will help it grow; in the morning you will make your seed sprout, yet the harvest will vanish in the day of disease and incurable pain”. Here שׂוּג portrays careful cultivation that still ends in failure under divine judgment. Agricultural metaphor and prophetic message 1. Human skill meets divine sovereignty—no amount of agronomy overrides the LORD’s decree. Historical background During the Syro-Ephraimitic crisis (circa 734–732 B.C.) Israel pursued political expansion, paralleling the farmer who hastens growth. Assyrian invasion would wipe out both plans and crops. Theological insights • God alone grants lasting increase (Psalm 127:1; 1 Corinthians 3:6–7). Ministry and pastoral application Churches can be tempted to manufacture rapid results. שׂוּג warns that programs and strategies may spark early sprouting, but without dependence on the Spirit the harvest can still “vanish.” Patience, prayer, and faithfulness remain essential. Intertextual connections The term harmonizes with Jesus’ seed parables (Mark 4:26–29) and Paul’s words: “I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow” (1 Corinthians 3:6), reinforcing Scripture’s theme of divine growth. Christological perspective Christ, the true Vine (John 15:1), alone produces enduring fruit. Isaiah’s failed crop anticipates Israel’s need for the Messiah whose harvest will not perish (John 4:36). Summary שׂוּג embodies the contrast between man-made acceleration and God-given fruitfulness. Its single appearance serves as a timeless reminder that genuine, lasting growth comes only from the Lord of the harvest. Forms and Transliterations תְּשַׂגְשֵׂ֔גִי תשגשגי tə·śaḡ·śê·ḡî tesagSegi təśaḡśêḡîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Isaiah 17:11 HEB: בְּי֤וֹם נִטְעֵךְ֙ תְּשַׂגְשֵׂ֔גִי וּבַבֹּ֖קֶר זַרְעֵ֣ךְ KJV: shalt thou make thy plant to grow, and in the morning INT: the day you plant to grow the morning your seed 1 Occurrence |
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