Original Word: זָרַע
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: zara`
Pronunciation: zah-rah
Phonetic Spelling: (zaw-rah')
KJV: bear, conceive seed, set with sow(-er), yield
NASB: sow, sown, yielding, sowed, sower, sowing, sows
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to sow
2. (figuratively) to disseminate, plant, fructify

bear, conceive seed, set with sower, yield

A primitive root; to sow; figuratively, to disseminate, plant, fructify -- bear, conceive seed, set with sow(-er), yield.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to sow, scatter seed
NASB Translation
conceive (1), gives birth (1), perpetuated (1), plant seed (1), scatter (1), set (1), sow (28), sowed (2), sower (2), sowing (2), sown (10), sows (2), unsown* (1), yielding (4).

I. זָרַע verb sow, scatter seed (Late Hebrew id.; Assyrian zirû TP^{Prism vi. 15}; Arabic ; Aramaic , זְרַע; Ethiopic but in Sabean דֿרא DHM^{ZMG 1883, 15 and in proper name, Id. in} MV^{10, pp. 242, 983}) —

Qal Perfect3masculine singular זָרַע Judges 6:3; 1singular וְזָרַעְתִּ֫י Jeremiah 31:27; suffix וּזְרַעְתִּיהָ consec Hosea 2:25; 3plural זָָֽרְעוּ Jeremiah 12:13; 2masculine plural זְרַעַתֶּם Haggai 1:6; וּזְרַעְתֶּם consecutive Genesis 47:23 2t.; Imperfect יִזְרָ֑ע Ecclesiastes 11:4; וַיִּזְרַע Genesis 26:12; suffix וַיִּזְרָעֶהָ Judges 9:45; 1singular אֶזְדְעָה Judg 31:8; suffix וְאֶזְרָעֵם Zechariah 10:9, etc.; Imperative masculine singular זְרַע Ecclesiastes 11:6; masculine plural זִרְעוּ Hosea 10:12 2t.; Infinitive לִזְרֹעַ Isaiah 28:24; Participle active זֹרֵעַ Isaiah 55:10 3t.; זזֹרֵעַ Proverbs 22:8; Jeremiah 50:16, etc.; Passive participle זָרֻעַ Psalm 97:11 (but on text see below); feminine זְרוּעָה Jeremiah 2:2; —

1 literally sow:

a. absolute sow (seed), do one's sowing Judges 6:3; Genesis 26:12 (J), Isaiah 28:24 (after ploughing חרשׁ); זִרְעוּ וקצרו ונטעו כרמים Isaiah 37:30 = 2 Kings 19:29; "" קצר also Micah 6:15; Leviticus 25:11 (H), Ecclesiastes 11:4; "" אסף Leviticus 25:20 (H); opposed to אכל Job 31:8; זֹרְעֵי עלכֿלמֿים Isaiah 32:20 (on construct compare Ges^{§ 130}, 1); with אתהֿשּׁנה הַשׁמינִת Leviticus 25:22; followed by הַרְבֵּה Haggai 1:6 (opposed to הָבֵא מְעָ֑ט).

b. with accusative of land אדמה Exodus 23:10 (J E; "" אסף), Genesis 47:23 (J); field (שׂדה) Leviticus 25:3 ("" אסף), compare Leviticus 25:4; Psalm 107:37; as passive participle אֶרֶץ לֹא זְרוּעָה Jeremiah 2:2 ("" מִדְבָּר).

c. with accusative of seed אֶתזַֿרְעֲךָ ׳ז Deuteronomy 11:10, compare Deuteronomy 22:9; Jeremiah 35:7; Leviticus 26:16 (H) Ecclesiastes 11:6; followed by חִטִּים Jeremiah 12:13 ("" קצר); compare also בִּכּוּרֵי מַעֲשֶׂיךָ אשׁר תזרע בַּשָּׂדֶה Exodus 23:16 (JE).

d. followed by 2 accusative לֹא תזרע כַּרְמְךָ כִּלְאַ֑יִם Deuteronomy 22:9; compare שָׂדְךָ לֹא תִזְרַע כִּלְאַיִם Leviticus 19:19 (H); זַרְעֲךָ אשׁרתֿזדע אתהֿאדמה Isaiah 30:23; also of destroyed city וַיִּזְרָעֶהָ מֶ֑לַח Judges 9:45.

e. participle active as substantive זוֺרֵעַ Jeremiah 50:16 ("" תֹּפֵשׂ מַגָּל בְּעֵת קָציר); לַֹזּרֵעַ Isaiah 55:10 ("" לָאֹכֵל).

2 of shrub and tree producing, yielding seed, with accusative of congnate meaning with verb Genesis 1:29 (twice in verse) (P), compare Hiph`il 3. figurative:

a. of Yahweh's sowing (planting) Israel in the land וזרעתיה לי בָארץ Hosea 2:25 (We וזרעתיהו, object being Jezreel); on the other hand וְאֶזְרָעֵם בָּעַמִּים Zechariah 10:9.

b. with 2 accusative, of Yahweh's fructifying Israel and Judah יהודה זֶרַע אדם וזרע ׳וזרעתי אתבֿית ישׂראל ואתבֿ בהמה Jeremiah 31:27.

c. of moral action, זִרְעוּ לָכֶם לִצְדָקָה Hosea 10:12 ("" קצר); צדקה׳ז Proverbs 11:18; אַלתִּֿזְרְעוּ אֶלקֹֿצִים Jeremiah 4:3 sow not in among thorns (said of a few righteous deeds amid much wickedness); especially of evil-doing רוּחַ יזרעו וְסוּפָתָה יִקְצֹ֑רוּ Hosea 8:7; זֹרְעֵי עָמָל Job 4:8 ("" קצר); זוֺרֵעַ עַוְלָה יקצוראָֿוֶן Proverbs 22:8.

d. of Israel's practising idolatry זְמֹרַת זָר תִּזְרָעֶ֑נּוּ Isaiah 17:10 (2 accusative)

e. הזרעים בדמעה בְּרִנָּה יִקְצֹ֑רוּ Psalm 126:5 metaphor of distress followed by joy.

f. אוֺר זָרֻעַ לַצַּדִּיק Psalm 97:11 read probably זָרַח, Vrss Ol Hu Bae Che and others

Niph`al be sown, fructified, Perfect3feminine singular וְנִזְרְעָה consecutive Numbers 5:28; 2masculine plural וְנִזְרַעְתֶּם consecutive Ezekiel 36:9; Imperfect3masculine singular יִזָּרַע Nahum 1:14; יִזָּרֵ֑עַ Deuteronomy 21:4; Leviticus 11:37; 3feminine singular תִּזָּרַע Deuteronomy 29:22; —

1 be sown:

a. subject אֶרֶץ, ולא תַּצְמִחַ ׳לֹא תִזּ Deuteronomy 29:22, compare (of נַחַל אֵיתָן) לא יֵעָבֵּד ׳בּוֺ ולא יִזּ Deuteronomy 21:4; in address to הָרֵי ישׂראל, וְנֶעֱבַּדְתֶּם וְנִזְרַעְתֶּם Ezekiel 36:9.

b. subject זֶרַע, זֶרַע זֵרוּעַ אשׁר יִזָּרֵעַ Leviticus 11:37 (P); figurative מִשִּׁמְךָ עוֺד ׳לֹא יִזּ Nahum 1:14 no more of thy name be sown, in judgment against Nineveh.

2 be fructified, made pregnant וְנִזְרְעָה זָרַ֑ע Numbers 5:28 (P; of woman).

Pu`al Perfect3plural זֹרָ֑עוּ Isaiah 40:24 of princes and judges under figure of trees ("" נִטָּ֑עוּ, שֹׁרֵשׁ בָּאָרֶץ גִּזְעָם).

Hiph`il Imperfect3feminine singular תַּזְרִיעַ Leviticus 12:2; Participle מַזְרִיעַ Genesis 1:11,12; —

1 produce seed, of herb, with accusative of congnate meaning with verb Genesis 1:11,12; apparently denominative from זֶרַע; compare Qal 2. 2. of a woman, = bear a child תַּזְרִיעַ וְיָיָָֽלְדָה זָכָר Leviticus 12:2.

זְרַע noun [masculine] seed (compare Biblical Hebrew I. זרע); — construct אֲנָשָׁא ׳ז Daniel 2:43 seed (offspring) of men.

Root Idea and Range of Meaning

The verb denotes the purposeful act of scattering seed in order to secure a harvest. By extension it speaks of investing effort, spreading influence, or initiating a process whose results will appear later. The contexts span ordinary field work, covenant blessing, prophetic promise, moral instruction, and eschatological hope.

Literal Agricultural Use

In patriarchal narrative, sowing marks divine favor amid famine: “Then Isaac sowed in that land and reaped in the same year a hundredfold, and the LORD blessed him” (Genesis 26:12). Mosaic legislation presumes seasonal sowing as part of Israel’s agrarian rhythm (Exodus 23:10; Leviticus 25:3). The verb frames ordinary obedience—ploughing, sowing, reaping—as stewardship under Yahweh’s providence (Deuteronomy 22:9). Kings and commoners alike sowed grain (1 Kings 18:32), reinforcing the land-promise theme that fruitful soil attests covenant fidelity.

Covenantal Blessing and Curse

Deuteronomy sets sowing within the blessings of obedience—“The LORD will bless… the produce of your soil” (Deuteronomy 28:8)—and the curses of rebellion, where seed will be consumed by locust or enemy (Deuteronomy 28:38-40). Jeremiah laments covenant breach: “They have sown wheat but harvested thorns” (Jeremiah 12:13). Haggai links failed harvests to temple neglect (Haggai 1:6), showing that successful sowing depends on right worship.

Prophetic and Eschatological Imagery

Prophets turn the verb into a metaphor of restoration. Hosea promises, “I will sow her for Myself in the land” (Hosea 2:23), portraying Judah as seed replanted after exile. Zechariah foresees global renewal: “I will sow them among the peoples, and they will remember Me” (Zechariah 10:9). These passages marry agricultural metaphor with missionary dispersion and regathering.

Wisdom and Moral Instruction

Proverbs warns against sowing injustice (Proverbs 22:8); the harvest will match the seed. Job complains that the wicked “sow trouble and reap it” (Job 4:8). The verb enforces the moral order: actions inevitably yield fitting outcomes.

Cultic and Ceremonial Contexts

Leviticus 12:2 ties childbirth to ceremonial cleansing “when a woman conceives (lit. sows seed),” emphasizing that life itself is God’s sowing. Priests guarded the sanctity of seedtime laws that prevented mixture (Leviticus 19:19), teaching separation unto holiness.

Christological and Apostolic Echoes

Though the Hebrew verb ends with Malachi, its theology bridges to the New Testament. Isaiah’s servant songs prefigure the Messiah whose life is a seed “sprouting” salvation (compare Isaiah 53:10 with John 12:24). Paul alludes to the principle in Galatians 6:7-9, “whatever a man sows, he will reap,” rooting ethical exhortation in Old Testament revelation.

Devotional and Ministry Application

1. Faithful sowing calls believers to diligence in word and deed, trusting God for the increase (Ecclesiastes 11:4-6).
2. The verb assures missionaries that spiritual seed will bear fruit in God’s timing (Psalm 126:5-6).
3. It warns against moral compromise, for unjust seed brings sorrow (Hosea 8:7).
4. It fuels hope: God can “sow” exiles, ideas, or ministries in unlikely soil for a multiplied harvest (Jeremiah 31:27-28).

Representative Occurrences

Genesis 26:12; Exodus 23:10; Leviticus 19:19; Leviticus 25:3; Deuteronomy 22:9; Deuteronomy 28:38; Job 4:8; Psalm 126:5-6; Proverbs 22:8; Isaiah 30:23; Isaiah 61:11; Jeremiah 12:13; Jeremiah 31:27; Hosea 2:23; Hosea 8:7; Joel 2:23; Amos 9:13; Haggai 1:6; Zechariah 10:9.

אֶ֭זְרְעָה אזרעה הַזֹּרְעִ֥ים הזרעים וְאֶזְרָעֵם֙ וְזָרַעְתִּ֗י וְזֹרְעֵ֖י וְזֹרֵ֥עַ וְנִזְרְעָ֥ה וְנִזְרַעְתֶּֽם׃ וַיִּזְרְע֣וּ וַיִּזְרַ֤ע וַיִּזְרָעֶ֖הָ וּזְרַעְתִּ֤יהָ וּזְרַעְתֶּ֖ם וּזְרַעְתֶּ֗ם וּזְרַעְתֶּ֤ם ואזרעם וזרע וזרעי וזרעתי וזרעתיה וזרעתם ויזרע ויזרעה ויזרעו ונזרעה ונזרעתם׃ זְרַ֣ע זְרַעְתֶּ֨ם זְרוּעָֽה׃ זִרְע֧וּ זִרְע֨וּ זָרְע֤וּ זָרַ֣ע זָרֻ֣עַ זֹרְעֵ֖י זֹרֵ֣עַ זֹרָ֔עוּ זוֹרֵ֙עַ֙ זוֹרֵ֣עַ זורע זרועה׃ זרע זרעו זרעי זרעתם יִזְרָ֑ע יִזְרָ֖עוּ יִזָּרֵ֑עַ יִזָּרַ֥ע יזרע יזרעו לִזְרֹ֑עַ לַזֹּרֵ֔עַ לזרע מַזְרִ֣יעַ מַזְרִ֤יעַ מזריע נִזְרָ֔ע נזרע תִּזְרְע֖וּ תִּזְרַ֖ע תִּזְרַ֣ע תִּזְרַע֙ תִּזְרָ֔ע תִּזְרָעֶֽנּוּ׃ תִזְרַ֖ע תִזְרַ֣ע תִזְרַ֥ע תִזְרָ֔ע תִזְרָ֔עוּ תִזְרָ֙עוּ֙ תִזָּרַע֙ תַזְרִ֔יעַ תזריע תזרע תזרעו תזרענו׃ ’ez·rə·‘āh ’ezrə‘āh Ezreah haz·zō·rə·‘îm hazzōrə‘îm hazzoreIm laz·zō·rê·a‘ lazzoRea lazzōrêa‘ liz·rō·a‘ lizRoa lizrōa‘ maz·rî·a‘ mazRia mazrîa‘ niz·rā‘ nizRa nizrā‘ ṯaz·rî·a‘ tazRia ṯazrîa‘ tiz·ra‘ tiz·rā‘ ṯiz·ra‘ ṯiz·rā‘ tiz·rā·‘en·nū ṯiz·rā·‘ū tiz·rə·‘ū ṯiz·zā·ra‘ tizRa tizra‘ tizrā‘ ṯizra‘ ṯizrā‘ tizrā‘ennū ṯizrā‘ū tizraEnnu tizRau tizrə‘ū tizreU tizzaRa ṯizzāra‘ ū·zə·ra‘·tem ū·zə·ra‘·tî·hā ūzəra‘tem ūzəra‘tîhā uzeraTem uzeraTiha vaiyizRa vaiyizraEha vaiyizreU veezraEm venizraTem venizreAh vezaraTi vezoRea vezoreEi way·yiz·ra‘ way·yiz·rā·‘e·hā way·yiz·rə·‘ū wayyizra‘ wayyizrā‘ehā wayyizrə‘ū wə’ezrā‘êm wə·’ez·rā·‘êm wə·niz·ra‘·tem wə·niz·rə·‘āh wə·zā·ra‘·tî wə·zō·rə·‘ê wə·zō·rê·a‘ wənizra‘tem wənizrə‘āh wəzāra‘tî wəzōrə‘ê wəzōrêa‘ yiz·rā‘ yiz·rā·‘ū yiz·zā·ra‘ yiz·zā·rê·a‘ yizRa yizrā‘ yizrā‘ū yizRau yizzaRa yizzāra‘ yizzaRea yizzārêa‘ zā·ra‘ zā·rə·‘ū zā·ru·a‘ zaRa zāra‘ zārə‘ū zareU zaRua zārua‘ zə·ra‘ zə·ra‘·tem zə·rū·‘āh zeRa zəra‘ zəra‘tem zeraTem zərū‘āh zeruAh zir‘ū zir·‘ū zirU zō·rā·‘ū zō·rə·‘ê zō·rê·a‘ zō·w·rê·a‘ zōrā‘ū zoRau zōrə‘ê zoRea zōrêa‘ zoreEi zōwrêa‘Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts