Bible Word Study
σπόρος
sporos · seed for sowing
σπόρος
seed for sowing
Definition
The Greek word σπόρος primarily means 'seed' in the sense of seed for sowing, the physical grain or kernel planted in a field (Mark 4:26-27, Luke 8:5). In the New Testament, it also carries a significant metaphorical meaning, representing the 'word of God' or the gospel message itself, as Jesus explicitly teaches in the Parable of the Sower (Luke 8:11). Finally, in 2 Corinthians 9:10, the term is used figuratively for the resources or material provisions a believer gives, which God will multiply for a spiritual 'harvest.'
Biblical Usage
σπόρος is used five times in the New Testament, primarily within agricultural parables in the Synoptic Gospels (Mark 4:26-27, Luke 8:5, 11). In these contexts, it is the literal seed sown by a farmer. Its usage in 2 Corinthians 9:10 is distinct, where Paul employs it metaphorically for financial generosity, which God will increase for righteous outcomes.
Etymology
Derived from the verb σπείρω (speirō, G4687), meaning 'to sow' or 'to scatter.' The noun σπόρος directly refers to the product of that action—the thing sown. It is the root of English words like 'spore' and 'sporadic.'
Semantic Range
This word is theologically rich as it bridges the physical and spiritual realms in Jesus's teaching. Understanding σπόρος deepens the Parable of the Sower (Luke 8:11), revealing that the 'seed' is not just a farming illustration but is explicitly identified as the word of God. It also connects human action (sowing) with divine growth and multiplication, a key principle in teachings about faith, evangelism, and generosity (2 Corinthians 9:10). In an agrarian society, seed was a fundamental and valuable resource representing future hope and sustenance. Sowing was a act of faith and investment, as the farmer could not control the growth. This cultural understanding makes the biblical metaphors powerfully resonant, contrasting with a modern, more industrialized view of agriculture. σπέρμα (sperma, G4690) — Often used for 'offspring' or 'descendants,' but can also mean physical seed; more commonly denotes lineage. κόκκος (kokkos, G2848) — A single grain or kernel (e.g., a mustard seed); emphasizes the individual unit rather than the collective sowing.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). Concordance and morphology data are derived from the interlinear Bible.
Full methodology & sources →References
- Abbott-Smith, G. (1921) A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Brown, F., Driver, S.R. and Briggs, C.A. (1906) A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Tyndale Brief lexicon of Extended Strongs for Greek (TBESG). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Formatted full LSJ (TFLSJ). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Thayer, J.H. (1889) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. [Public Domain]
- Gesenius, W. (1846) Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament. [Public Domain]
- Dodson, J. (2010) Greek Lexicon. Biblical Humanities. [CC0]