The term "sowed" in the Bible primarily refers to the act of planting seeds in the ground, a fundamental agricultural practice in ancient times. This concept is frequently used in both literal and metaphorical contexts throughout Scripture, illustrating spiritual truths and principles.

Literal Usage

In its literal sense, sowing is an essential part of farming, which was a common occupation in biblical times. The process of sowing seeds is mentioned in various passages, highlighting the agrarian lifestyle of the Israelites and surrounding cultures. For example, in Genesis 26:12, we read about Isaac's prosperity: "Isaac sowed seed in that land, and that year he reaped a hundredfold. The LORD blessed him" . This verse underscores the connection between diligent labor, divine blessing, and agricultural success.

Metaphorical Usage

The metaphorical use of sowing is prevalent in the teachings of Jesus and the writings of the apostles. It often symbolizes the dissemination of God's Word and the varying responses it receives. One of the most well-known parables is the Parable of the Sower, found in Matthew 13:3-9, Mark 4:3-9, and Luke 8:5-8. In this parable, Jesus describes a sower who scatters seeds on different types of soil, representing the diverse conditions of human hearts in receiving the Gospel. The Berean Standard Bible records Jesus' explanation in Matthew 13:18-23, where He clarifies that the seed is the Word of God, and the soils represent different responses to it.

The Apostle Paul also employs the imagery of sowing to convey spiritual truths. 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" . Here, sowing is used to illustrate the principle of moral and spiritual cause and effect, emphasizing the importance of living according to the Spirit.

Sowing and Reaping

The principle of sowing and reaping is a recurring theme in Scripture, reflecting the natural law of cause and effect established by God. This principle is not only applicable to agriculture but also to spiritual and moral dimensions of life. In 2 Corinthians 9:6, Paul encourages generosity by stating, "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously" . This verse highlights the correlation between one's actions and the resulting blessings or consequences.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament also contains numerous references to sowing, often in the context of God's covenant promises and judgments. In Leviticus 26:3-5, God promises abundant harvests to the Israelites if they obey His commandments: "If you follow My statutes and carefully observe My commandments, I will give you rains in their season, and the land will yield its produce, and the trees of the field will bear their fruit. Your threshing will continue until grape harvest, and the grape harvest will continue until sowing time" . Conversely, disobedience would lead to barren fields and failed crops, as seen in Haggai 1:6: "You have sown much but bring in little; you eat but never have enough; you drink but never have your fill; you put on clothes but never get warm; you earn wages to put into a bag pierced through" .

Conclusion

The concept of sowing in the Bible serves as a powerful illustration of the relationship between human actions and divine providence. Whether in the context of agriculture, spiritual growth, or moral conduct, the act of sowing and its outcomes remind believers of the importance of faithfulness, obedience, and reliance on God's grace.1. (imp.) of Sow.

2. (p. p.) of Sow.

1986b. epispeiro -- to sow upon or besides
... 1986a, 1986b. epispeiro. 1987 . to sow upon or besides. Transliteration:
epispeiro Short Definition: sowed. Word Origin from epi ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1986b.htm - 5k

4687. speiro -- to sow (seed)
... Word Origin a prim. verb Definition to sow (seed) NASB Word Usage sow (13), sowed
(6), sower (5), sower sows (1), sowing (1), sown (17), sows (8). sow, scatter. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4687.htm - 8k

2232. zara -- to sow, scatter seed
... to sow, scatter seed NASB Word Usage conceive (1), gives birth (1), perpetuated
(1), plant seed (1), scatter (1), set (1), sow (28), sowed (2), sower (2 ...
/hebrew/2232.htm - 6k

How Jesus Sowed Wheat.
... Latin Form. Chapter X."How Jesus Sowed Wheat. In the time of sowing, Joseph
went out to sow wheat, and Jesus followed him. And ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of thomas/chapter x how jesus sowed wheat.htm

The Parable of the Tares, by Bishop Latimer, Preached on the 7Th ...
... MATTHEW XIII."The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed
in his field: but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the ...
/.../knox/the pulpit of the reformation nos 1 2 and 3 /the parable of the tares.htm

And He Set Forth to them Another Parable, and Said...
... [1] [1204] And he set forth to them another parable, and said, The kingdom of heaven
is [2] like a man who sowed good seed in his field; [1205] but when men ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section xvii and he set.htm

Stories Told by the Lake.
... "A sower went out to sow his seed," said Jesus, "and as he sowed, some fell by the
wayside, and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xx stories told by.htm

Sowing and Reaping
... I really believe that when he got into his cell, he believed that he had to reap
what he sowed. ... See if they have not reaped what they sowed. ...
/.../moody/sowing and reaping/chapter i sowing and reaping.htm

The Enemy Sowing Tares.
... A certain man sowed good seed in his field, but in the night, whilst men slept,
his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the new testament/the enemy sowing tares.htm

Mingled in Growth, Separated in Maturity
... 'Another parable put He forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is
likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: 25. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/mingled in growth separated in.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xiii. 19, Etc. , Where the Lord ...
... ground, and it brought forth fruit, a hundred, sixty, thirty fold." But to-day the
Lord hath again spoken another parable of the sower, "who sowed good seed in ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xxiii on the words.htm

A Man Expects to Reap the Same Kind as He Sows.
... If I should tell you that I sowed ten acres of wheat last year and that watermelons
came up, or that I sowed cucumbers and gathered turnips, you wouldn't ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/sowing and reaping/chapter iv a man expects.htm

John iv. 28, 29
... together.". Who is "he that soweth"? Who "he that reapeth"? The Prophets are
they that sowed but they reaped not, but the Apostles. "Yet ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxxiv john iv 28.htm

Sowed (20 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Sowed (20 Occurrences). Matthew 13:4 As he sowed, some
seeds fell by the roadside, and the birds came and devoured them. ...
/s/sowed.htm - 12k

Fowls (61 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS YLT). Matthew 13:4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side,
and the fowls came and devoured them up: (KJV WBS YLT). ...
/f/fowls.htm - 25k

Devoured (81 Occurrences)
... Devoured (81 Occurrences). Matthew 13:4 As he sowed, some seeds fell by the roadside,
and the birds came and devoured them. (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS RSV). ...
/d/devoured.htm - 32k

Devour (118 Occurrences)
... Devour (118 Occurrences). Matthew 13:4 As he sowed, some seeds fell by the roadside,
and the birds came and devoured them. (Root in WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV) ...
/d/devour.htm - 37k

Path (91 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Path (91 Occurrences). Matthew 13:4 As he sowed, some
seeds fell by the roadside, and the birds came and devoured them. (See RSV NIV). ...
/p/path.htm - 33k

Ate (138 Occurrences)
... (WEB WEY ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV). Matthew 13:4 As he sowed, some seeds fell by
the roadside, and the birds came and devoured them. (See NAS NIV). ...
/a/ate.htm - 37k

Road (155 Occurrences)
... WEY). Matthew 13:4 As he sowed, some seeds fell by the roadside, and the
birds came and devoured them. (Root in WEB NAS). Matthew ...
/r/road.htm - 37k

Seed (337 Occurrences)
... Matthew 13:4 As he sowed, some seeds fell by the roadside, and the birds came and
devoured them. (Root in WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE WBS NAS RSV NIV). ...
/s/seed.htm - 41k

Scattered (122 Occurrences)
... he also that had received the one talent coming to him said, My lord, I knew thee
that thou art a hard man, reaping where thou hadst not sowed, and gathering ...
/s/scattered.htm - 39k

Along (500 Occurrences)
... NAS). Matthew 13:4 and as he sowed, some grains fell along the way, and
the birds came and devoured them; (DBY RSV NIV). Matthew 13 ...
/a/along.htm - 33k

What does the Bible say about sowing and reaping? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of the Parable of the Growing Seed (Mark 4:26-29)? | GotQuestions.org

Is “you reap what you sow” biblical? | GotQuestions.org

Sowed: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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