Jump to: Smith's • ISBE • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia In biblical literature, the term "sow" primarily refers to the act of planting seeds in the ground, a practice that holds significant metaphorical and spiritual meaning throughout Scripture. The concept of sowing is frequently used to illustrate principles of cause and effect, spiritual growth, and divine justice.Old Testament References The practice of sowing is first mentioned in Genesis, where it is part of the agricultural life of the patriarchs. In Genesis 26:12, Isaac's sowing and subsequent reaping a hundredfold is a testament to God's blessing: "Now Isaac sowed in that land and reaped in the same year a hundredfold, and the LORD blessed him." The Law of Moses also includes instructions related to sowing, emphasizing the importance of rest and trust in God's provision. Leviticus 25:3-4 commands, "For six years you may sow your fields and reap your crops, but during the seventh year the land is to have a Sabbath of rest, a Sabbath to the LORD. You are not to sow your field or prune your vineyard." Wisdom Literature In the wisdom literature, sowing is often used metaphorically to convey moral and ethical teachings. Proverbs 11:18 states, "The wicked man earns an empty wage, but he who sows righteousness reaps a true reward." This highlights the principle that one's actions, whether righteous or wicked, have corresponding outcomes. Prophetic Literature The prophets frequently use the imagery of sowing to communicate messages of judgment and hope. Hosea 10:12 calls the people to repentance: "Sow for yourselves righteousness and reap the fruit of loving devotion; break up your unplowed ground, for it is time to seek the LORD until He comes and showers righteousness upon you." New Testament Teachings In the New Testament, Jesus frequently employs the imagery of sowing in His parables to teach about the Kingdom of God. The Parable of the Sower, found in Matthew 13:3-9, Mark 4:3-9, and Luke 8:5-8, illustrates how different types of soil (representing the hearts of people) receive the seed (the Word of God) with varying results. The Apostle Paul also uses the concept of sowing to teach about spiritual principles. In Galatians 6:7-8, he writes, "Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life." Spiritual Implications The act of sowing in the Bible is deeply connected to the idea of faith and trust in God's provision. It requires patience and perseverance, as the results are not immediate. Sowing is an act of obedience and hope, trusting that God will bring about the growth and harvest in His timing. The biblical principle of sowing and reaping serves as a reminder of the moral order established by God. It encourages believers to live righteously, knowing that their actions have eternal significance. Smith's Bible Dictionary Sow[SWINE] Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (v. i.) To sew. See Sew.2. (n.) The female of swine, or of the hog kind. 3. (n.) A sow bug. 4. (n.) A channel or runner which receives the rows of molds in the pig bed. 5. (n.) The bar of metal which remains in such a runner. 6. (n.) A mass of solidified metal in a furnace hearth; a salamander. 7. (n.) A kind of covered shed, formerly used by besiegers in filling up and passing the ditch of a besieged place, sapping and mining the wall, or the like. 8. (v. t.) To scatter, as seed, upon the earth; to plant by strewing; as, to sow wheat. Also used figuratively: To spread abroad; to propagate. 9. (v. t.) To scatter seed upon, in, or over; to supply or stock, as land, with seeds. Also used figuratively: To scatter over; to besprinkle. 10. (v. i.) To scatter seed for growth and the production of a crop; -- literally or figuratively. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia SOWsou. Greek 4687. speiro -- to sow (seed) ... to sow (seed). Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: speiro Phonetic Spelling: (spi'-ro) Short Definition: I sow, spread, scatter Definition: I sow, spread ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4687.htm - 8k 1289. diaspeiro -- to sow throughout, ie fig. disperse (in foreign ... 1986b. epispeiro -- to sow upon or besides 5300. hus -- a hog 4572. seautou -- of (to, for) yourself 2343. thesaurizo -- to lay up, store up 5519. choiros -- a swine 4569. Saulos -- Saul, the Jewish name of the apostle Paul 597. apothesaurizo -- to treasure up, store away 5615. hosautos -- in like manner Strong's Hebrew 2232. zara -- to sow, scatter seed... 2231, 2232. zara. 2233 . to sow, scatter seed. Transliteration: zara Phonetic Spelling: (zaw-rah') Short Definition: sow. Word Origin a prim. ... /hebrew/2232.htm - 6k 4900. mashak -- to draw, drag 7971. shalach -- to send 3157. Yizreel -- "God sows," two Israelites, also two cities in ... 2233. zera -- a sowing, seed, offspring 6327a. puts -- to be dispersed or scattered 7863. si -- loftiness Library CHM Barton. Blessed are Ye that Sow Beside all Waters. CM Jones Very. As Ye Sow, So Shall Ye Reap. A Man Expects to Reap the Same Kind as He Sows. A Man Reaps More than He Sows. Psalm CXXVI. Sowing Beside all Waters. An Exhortation to the People Respecting Fortitude and Patience... God's Curse on Sin. Responsibilities of the Christian Home. Spiritual Farming --No. 4 Sowing. Thesaurus Sow (61 Occurrences)... 2. (n.) The female of swine, or of the hog kind. 3. (n.) A sow bug. ... 8. (vt) To scatter, as seed, upon the earth; to plant by strewing; as, to sow wheat. ... /s/sow.htm - 26k Reap (35 Occurrences) Sowing (28 Occurrences) Crops (48 Occurrences) Crop (33 Occurrences) Vineyards (55 Occurrences) Whence (84 Occurrences) Fowls (61 Occurrences) Farmer (17 Occurrences) Reaping (10 Occurrences) Resources Is “you reap what you sow” biblical? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to sow the wind and reap the whirlwind (Hosea 8:7)? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about karma? | GotQuestions.org Sow: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Sow (61 Occurrences)Matthew 6:26 Matthew 13:3 Matthew 13:27 Matthew 13:31 Matthew 25:24 Matthew 25:26 Mark 4:3 Mark 4:14 Luke 8:5 Luke 12:24 Luke 19:21 Luke 19:22 1 Corinthians 9:11 1 Corinthians 15:36 1 Corinthians 15:37 Galatians 6:7 James 3:18 2 Peter 2:22 Genesis 47:23 Exodus 23:10 Exodus 23:16 Leviticus 11:7 Leviticus 19:19 Leviticus 25:3 Leviticus 25:4 Leviticus 25:11 Leviticus 25:20 Leviticus 25:22 Leviticus 26:16 Deuteronomy 11:10 Deuteronomy 14:8 Deuteronomy 14:22 Deuteronomy 22:9 2 Kings 19:29 Job 4:8 Job 31:8 Psalms 107:37 Psalms 126:5 Psalms 126:6 Proverbs 11:22 Ecclesiastes 11:4 Ecclesiastes 11:6 Isaiah 17:11 Isaiah 28:24 Isaiah 28:25 Isaiah 30:23 Isaiah 32:20 Isaiah 37:30 Isaiah 65:4 Isaiah 66:3 Isaiah 66:3 Isaiah 66:3 Isaiah 66:17 Jeremiah 4:3 Jeremiah 31:27 Jeremiah 35:7 Hosea 2:23 Hosea 8:7 Hosea 10:12 Micah 6:15 Zechariah 10:9 Subtopics Related Terms |
    |