Original Word: שָׂגָה
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: sagah
Pronunciation: sah-GAH
Phonetic Spelling: (saw-gaw')
KJV: grow (up), increase
NASB: grow, increase, increased
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to enlarge (especially upward, also figuratively)

grow up, increase

A primitive root; to enlarge (especially upward, also figuratively) -- grow (up), increase.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to grow, increase
NASB Translation
grow (2), increase (1), increased (1).

[שָׂגָה] verb grow, increase (late; "" form of שׂגא); —

Qal Imperfect3masculine singular יִשְׂגֶּה Psalm 92:13 righteous shall grow great like cedar ("" יִפְרַח), compare Job 8:7 (opposed to מִצְעָר; Job 8:11 see שׂגא).

Hiph`il Perfect3plural הִשְׂגּוּחַֿיִל Psalm 73:12 they have increased riches.

שׂגיב see שְׂגוּב. שִׂגְשֵׂג see II. סוּג..

Scope and Nuance of the Term

The verb conveys vigorous, unimpeded growth that turns something small into something great. Whether applied to crops, personal fortunes, or spiritual stature, it pictures a steady, God-governed enlargement. Because it speaks of genuine increase, the word always invites readers to ask: Who is growing, why are they growing, and what does their growth mean in the larger purposes of God?

Distribution

Job 8:7

Job 8:11

Psalm 73:12

Psalm 92:12

All four occurrences lie in Wisdom and praise literature, where the question of what truly prospers—and what ultimately withers—dominates the discussion.

Contrasting Portraits of Growth

1. Growth as Assurance for the Upright (Job 8:7)

Bildad aims to comfort Job: “Though your beginnings were modest, your latter days will flourish”. Even if Bildad’s diagnosis of Job is flawed, the statement itself reflects a conviction rooted in covenant theology: God delights to enlarge the end of those who fear Him (see also Proverbs 4:18).

2. Growth as an Object Lesson from Nature (Job 8:11)

“Does papyrus grow tall where there is no marsh?”. The image of marsh-grass reaching upward shows that visible prosperity depends on hidden sources of life. In the argument of Job, the illustration rebukes superficial judgments—real depth matters more than fleeting green blades.

3. Growth as the Perplexing Prosperity of the Wicked (Psalm 73:12)

“Behold, these are the wicked—always carefree, they increase their wealth”. Asaph struggles with the apparent success of rebels. The same verb that can describe righteous flourishing here depicts material expansion devoid of covenant fidelity. The tension propels the Psalm toward the sanctuary, where eternal perspectives resolve present puzzles (Psalm 73:17).

4. Growth as the Flourishing of the Righteous (Psalm 92:12)

“The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon”. Set within a Sabbath song, the promise links moral integrity, worship, and longevity. Cedars evoke strength and permanence; palms suggest fruitfulness. In later Scripture the imagery widens to encompass the spread of the gospel (Matthew 13:31-32; Acts 6:7).

Historical and Cultural Backdrop

Papyrus, reeds, palms, and cedars were familiar botanical markers in the ancient Near East. Their growth cycles taught Israel that abundance is never self-generated; roots must sink into suitable soil and water supplied by God (Deuteronomy 11:10-15). Psalmists and sages therefore used agricultural metaphors to anchor theological reflection in everyday life, reinforcing the covenant blessings and curses laid out in Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28.

Doctrinal Trajectory

• Providence and Reward: The verb reinforces the doctrine that God sovereignly orders increase. Even when secondary causes (rain, soil, trade) are visible, Scripture attributes enlargement to divine oversight (Psalm 65:9-13; 1 Corinthians 3:6).

• Temporary versus Ultimate Flourishing: The wicked may “increase” for a season, but their prosperity is limited by time and judgment (Psalm 73:18-20). By contrast, the righteous enjoy a growth that endures into old age (Psalm 92:14) and eternity (Revelation 22:2).

• Eschatological Hope: From the small remnant envisioned by the prophets to the worldwide kingdom announced by the Messiah (Isaiah 11:9; Matthew 13:31-33), the motif of growth anticipates the consummation when “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD” (Habakkuk 2:14).

Ministry and Discipleship Implications

• Encouragement for Small Beginnings: Church plants, missionary outreaches, and personal sanctification often start “modest.” Job 8:7 supplies language for trusting God with the future.

• Discernment amid Prosperity: Psalm 73:12 warns against equating numerical or financial success with divine approval. Spiritual leaders must evaluate fruit by righteous standards (Matthew 7:17-20).

• Cultivating Deep Roots: Job 8:11 reminds believers that outward growth depends on hidden life in Christ (Colossians 2:6-7). Regular feeding on Scripture, prayer, and corporate worship supplies the “water” necessary for genuine increase.

• Worship and Witness: Psalm 92 connects flourishing with Sabbath praise. A congregation that delights in God’s presence becomes a living testimony of righteous growth to the surrounding culture.

Christological Reflections

Jesus’ parables of the mustard seed and leaven echo the same principle: what God begins He enlarges dramatically. His own resurrection life becomes the ultimate guarantee that righteous growth will triumph over the apparent flourishing of evil (John 12:24; Ephesians 1:19-23).

Summary

The fourfold use of שָׂגָה sketches a theology of growth that is both realistic and hopeful. It recognizes temporary anomalies in a fallen world yet ultimately locates enduring enlargement in the hands of the covenant-keeping God, who brings small beginnings to a flourishing conclusion for His glory and the good of His people.

הִשְׂגּוּ־ השגו־ יִשְׂגֶּ֥ה יִשְׂגֶּֽה׃ יִשְׂגֶּה־ ישגה ישגה־ ישגה׃ hiś·gū- hisgu hiśgū- yiś·geh yiś·geh- yisGeh yiśgeh yiśgeh-Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts