Jump to: ATS • ISBE • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia In the Bible, the term "seed" carries significant theological, spiritual, and practical implications. It is used both literally and metaphorically throughout the Scriptures, encompassing themes of creation, covenant, and the propagation of faith.Creation and Natural Order The concept of seed is introduced in the creation narrative. In Genesis 1:11-12 , God commands the earth to bring forth vegetation, "plants yielding seed, and fruit trees on the earth bearing fruit with seed in them, according to their kinds." This establishes the seed as a fundamental component of the natural order, ensuring the continuity and reproduction of plant life. The seed, therefore, symbolizes life, growth, and the potential for future generations. Covenant and Promise The term "seed" is also pivotal in the context of God's covenantal promises. In Genesis 12:7 , God promises Abram, "To your offspring [seed] I will give this land." This promise is reiterated to Abraham's descendants, emphasizing the seed as a bearer of divine promise and blessing. The seed of Abraham is not only a reference to his physical descendants but also to the spiritual lineage culminating in Christ, as highlighted in Galatians 3:16 : "The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say, 'and to seeds,' meaning many, but 'and to your seed,' meaning One, who is Christ." Messianic Prophecy The seed is central to messianic prophecy. In Genesis 3:15 , God declares enmity between the serpent and the woman, and between their offspring: "He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel." This is often interpreted as the first messianic prophecy, foretelling the coming of Christ, the ultimate Seed, who would defeat sin and Satan. Parables and Teachings of Jesus Jesus frequently used the imagery of seed in His parables to convey spiritual truths. In the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3-9), the seed represents the Word of God, and the various types of soil symbolize the hearts of those who hear it. The growth of the seed depends on the condition of the soil, illustrating the importance of receptivity to God's Word. Similarly, the Parable of the Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31-32) highlights the kingdom of heaven's growth from small beginnings to great influence. Faith and Spiritual Growth The seed metaphor extends to the life of faith and spiritual growth. In 1 Peter 1:23 , believers are described as "born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God." This emphasizes the transformative power of the Gospel, which, like a seed, brings forth new life and spiritual maturity in believers. Generational Legacy The concept of seed also pertains to the generational legacy of faith. Psalm 112:2 states, "His descendants will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed." Here, the seed represents the continuation of a godly heritage, underscoring the importance of passing down faith and values to future generations. In summary, the biblical concept of seed encompasses creation, covenant, prophecy, spiritual growth, and legacy. It serves as a powerful symbol of life, promise, and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through history. ATS Bible Dictionary SeedGenesis 1:11; often used figuratively in Scripture, Daniel 9:1 1 Peter 1:23 1 John 3:9. There was an injunction in the Mosaic Law against sowing a field with mingled seed of diverse kinds, Le 19:19. The "precious seed" is often committed to the ground with many fears; but the harvest, at least in spiritual things, shall be a season of joy, Psalm 126:5,6. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) Plural of Seed.2. (n.) A ripened ovule, consisting of an embryo with one or more integuments, or coverings; as, an apple seed; a currant seed. By germination it produces a new plant. 3. (n.) Any small seed like fruit, though it may consist of a pericarp, or even a calyx, as well as the seed proper; as, parsnip seed; thistle seed. 4. (n.) The generative fluid of the male; semen; sperm; -- not used in the plural. 5. (n.) That from which anything springs; first principle; original; source; as, the seeds of virtue or vice. 6. (n.) The principle of production. 7. (n.) Progeny; offspring; children; descendants; as, the seed of Abraham; the seed of David. 8. (n.) Race; generation; birth. 9. (v. t.) To sprinkle with seed; to plant seeds in; to sow; as, to seed a field. 10. (v. t.) To cover thinly with something scattered; to ornament with seed like decorations. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia SEEDsed (Old Testament always for zera`, Aramaic (Daniel 2:43) zera`, except in Joel 1:17 for perudhoth (plural, the Revised Version (British and American) "seeds," the King James Version "seed"), and Leviticus 19:19 (the King James Version "mingled seed") and Deuteronomy 22:9 (the King James Version "divers seeds") for kil'ayim, literally, "two kinds," the Revised Version (British and American) "two kinds of seed." Invariably in Greek Apocrypha and usually in the New Testament for sperma, but Mark 4:26, 27 Luke 8:5, 11 2 Corinthians 9:10 for sporos, and 1 Peter 1:23 for spora): Greek 4703. sporos -- a sowing, ie seed (sown) ... a sowing, ie seed (sown). Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: sporos Phonetic Spelling: (spro'-os) Short Definition: seed for sowing Definition ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4703.htm - 6k 4690. sperma -- that which is sown, ie seed 4701. spora -- a sowing, by impl. seed 4687. speiro -- to sow (seed) 4691. spermologos -- a seed picker, fig. one who picks up scraps ... 1290. diaspora -- a dispersion (Isr. in Gentile countries) 2848. kokkos -- a grain 1289. diaspeiro -- to sow throughout, ie fig. disperse (in foreign ... 4059. peritemno -- to cut around, circumcise 4615. sinapi -- mustard (a plant) Strong's Hebrew 2234. zera -- a seed... 2233, 2234. zera. 2235 . a seed. Transliteration: zera Phonetic Spelling: (zer-ah') Short Definition: seed. Word Origin (Aramaic ... /hebrew/2234.htm - 6k 2232. zara -- to sow, scatter seed 2233. zera -- a sowing, seed, offspring 5018. Nebuzaradan -- "Nebo has given seed," a Bab. general 6507. perudah -- grain 3610. kilayim -- two kinds 7902. shekabah -- (act of) lying, a layer 7874. sid -- to whitewash 2623. chasid -- kind, pious 1407. gad -- coriander Library Sowing the Seed. The Mustard-Seed. The Sower and the Seed. Seed among Thorns The Soil and the Seed The Mustard-Seed, and the Leaven. Of the Seed of the Tares. The Seed of the Woman, and the Seed of the Serpent Parables of the Mustard-Seed, and of the Leaven Transition to the ... The Sower and the Seed. Thesaurus Seed (337 Occurrences)... 1. (n.) Plural of Seed. 2. (n.) A ripened ovule, consisting of an embryo with one or more integuments, or coverings; as, an apple seed; a currant seed. ... /s/seed.htm - 41k Mustard-seed (5 Occurrences) Seed's (1 Occurrence) Seed-bearing (1 Occurrence) Coriander-seed (2 Occurrences) Seed-stones (1 Occurrence) Seed-time (1 Occurrence) Sowing-seed (1 Occurrence) Sowing (28 Occurrences) Mustard (5 Occurrences) Resources What is the meaning of the Parable of the Growing Seed (Mark 4:26-29)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to have mustard seed faith? | GotQuestions.org What is the meaning of the Parable of the Mustard Seed? | GotQuestions.org Seed: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Seed (337 Occurrences)Matthew 13:3 Matthew 13:4 Matthew 13:5 Matthew 13:18 Matthew 13:19 Matthew 13:20 Matthew 13:22 Matthew 13:23 Matthew 13:24 Matthew 13:25 Matthew 13:27 Matthew 13:31 Matthew 13:37 Matthew 13:38 Matthew 17:20 Matthew 22:24 Matthew 22:25 Matthew 25:24 Matthew 25:26 Mark 1:30 Mark 4:3 Mark 4:4 Mark 4:5 Mark 4:7 Mark 4:8 Mark 4:14 Mark 4:15 Mark 4:16 Mark 4:18 Mark 4:20 Mark 4:26 Mark 4:27 Mark 4:31 Mark 12:20 Mark 12:21 Mark 12:22 Luke 1:54 Luke 1:55 Luke 8:5 Luke 8:6 Luke 8:7 Luke 8:8 Luke 8:11 Luke 8:14 Luke 8:15 Luke 13:19 Luke 17:6 Luke 19:21 Luke 19:22 Luke 20:28 John 7:42 John 8:33 John 8:37 John 12:24 Acts 3:25 Acts 7:5 Acts 7:6 Acts 13:23 Acts 17:18 Romans 1:3 Romans 4:13 Romans 4:16 Romans 4:18 Romans 9:7 Romans 9:8 Romans 9:29 Romans 11:1 1 Corinthians 3:6 1 Corinthians 9:11 1 Corinthians 15:36 1 Corinthians 15:37 1 Corinthians 15:38 2 Corinthians 9:10 2 Corinthians 11:22 Galatians 3:16 Galatians 3:19 Galatians 3:29 Galatians 6:7 Galatians 6:8 2 Timothy 2:8 Hebrews 2:16 Hebrews 11:11 Hebrews 11:18 James 3:18 1 Peter 1:23 1 John 3:9 Revelation 12:17 Genesis 1:11 Genesis 1:12 Genesis 1:29 Genesis 3:15 Genesis 4:25 Genesis 7:3 Genesis 8:22 Genesis 9:9 Genesis 12:7 Genesis 13:15 Genesis 13:16 Genesis 15:3 Genesis 15:5 Subtopics Seed in Egypt Required to be Artificially Watered Seed: Difference Between, and the Plant Which Grows from It, Seed: Each Kind Has Its own Body Seed: Each Kind of, Has Its own Body Seed: Every Herb, Tree and Grass Yields Its Own Seed: Every Herb, Tree, and Grass, Yields Its Own Seed: Mosaic Laws Respecting: Different Kinds of, not to be Sown in the Same Field Seed: Mosaic Laws Respecting: If Dry, Exempted from Uncleanness Though Touched by An Seed: Mosaic Laws Respecting: If Wet, Rendered Unclean by Contact With an Unclean Thing Seed: Mosaic Laws Respecting: Not to be Sown During the Sabbatical Year Seed: Mosaic Laws Respecting: Not to be Sown in Year of Jubilee Seed: Mosaic Laws Respecting: The Tithe of, to be Given to God Seed: Not to be Mingled in Sowing Seed: Often Sown Beside Rivers Seed: Often Trodden Into the Ground, by the Feet of Oxen Seed: Required to be Watered by the Rain Seed: Sowing of Necessary to Its Productiveness Seed: Sowing of Often Attended With Danger Seed: Sowing of Often Attended With Great Waste Seed: Sowing of Required Constant Diligence Seed: Sowing of Time For, Called Seed Time Seed: Sowing of, Type of Burial of the Body Seed: Sowing, Illustrative of Christian Liberality Seed: Sowing, Illustrative of Men's Works Producing a Corresponding Recompence Seed: Sowing, Illustrative of Preaching the Gospel Seed: Sowing, Illustrative of Scattering or Dispersing a People Seed: Sowing, Illustrative of The Burial of the Body Seed: Sowing, Illustrative of The Death of Christ and Its Effects Seed: The Ground Carefully Ploughed, and Prepared For Seed: The Jews Punished by Its Being Choked by Thorns Seed: The Jews Punished by Its Increase Being Consume by Enemies Seed: The Jews Punished by Its Increase Being Consumed by Locusts Seed: The Jews Punished by Its Rotting in the Ground Seed: The Jews Punished by Its Yielding But Little Increase Seed: Yearly Return of Time of Sowing, Secured by Covenant Seed: Yielded an Abundant Increase in Canaan Related Terms |