Seed
“Seed, offspring”
Summary
Agricultural seed used metaphorically throughout Scripture to represent offspring, God's word, faith, and the expanding kingdom of God.
☩Literal Agricultural Usage
Seed time in Palestine occurred in November and December, with harvest about four months later. Sowing was done by hand, broadcasting seed across prepared ground. The law forbade mixing two kinds of seed in the same field, likely because such practices had idolatrous associations in Canaanite religion. Seed was precious—representing both present sacrifice and future hope—making it a powerful symbol for spiritual realities.
☩Promise to Abraham
God promised Abraham that his 'seed' would be as numerous as the stars and would inherit the land. Paul argued that the singular 'seed' pointed ultimately to Christ, not merely to physical descendants. All who believe become Abraham's seed, heirs according to promise, regardless of ethnic origin. The seed promise thus embraces both Israel and the church, physical and spiritual descendants united in Christ.
☩In Jesus' Parables
Jesus employed seed imagery extensively in His teaching. The parable of the sower describes the word as seed falling on different soils—hearts with varying receptivity. The mustard seed, smallest of garden seeds, becomes a great tree—illustrating the kingdom's expansion from tiny beginnings. The seed growing secretly demonstrates the kingdom's mysterious, inevitable progress independent of human effort.
☩Regeneration and Resurrection
Peter describes believers as 'born again of imperishable seed through the living and abiding word of God.' John states that God's seed abides in those born of Him, keeping them from habitual sin. Paul compares resurrection to a seed dying and being raised in glory—the body sown in weakness rises in power. As wheat must die to produce much fruit, so Christ's death brought life to many, and believers too must lose their lives to find them.
Related Verses262 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Seed," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Seed," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Seed," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).