7735. sug
Lexical Summary
sug: To turn back, to retreat, to backslide

Original Word: שׂוּג
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: suwg
Pronunciation: soog
Phonetic Spelling: (soog)
KJV: make to grow
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to hedge in

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
make to grow

A primitive root; to hedge in -- make to grow.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
the 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.
2. Early success masks future loss—quick growth cannot guarantee a harvest.
3. Covenant echoes—recalls Deuteronomy warnings that rebellion turns abundance into ruin.

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).
• Apparent prosperity may signal impending judgment (Luke 12:16–21).
• Steadfast obedience, not frantic striving, yields enduring fruit (Psalm 92:12).

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 təśaḡśêḡî
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman'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

Strong's Hebrew 7735
1 Occurrence


tə·śaḡ·śê·ḡî — 1 Occ.

7734
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