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Sower

זָרַע/SOH-er/

“To sow”

Summary

One who scatters seed by hand for planting—the subject of Jesus' foundational parable illustrating responses to God's Word.

☩The Practice

Sowing was done by hand, scattering seed broadcast from a vessel or basket. The 'drawing out' of the seed is characteristic of sowing. Sometimes the sower preceded the plough on sandy soils; in wet soils seed was trodden in by animals' feet. Sowing commenced in October and continued to February, with wheat before and barley after January.

Key verses:Psalm 126:6Isaiah 28:25Isaiah 32:20

☩The Parable

Jesus' Parable of the Sower describes seed falling on four types of soil: the wayside where birds devour it, rocky ground where it springs up quickly but withers, thorny ground where it is choked, and good soil where it bears abundant fruit. The seed is God's Word; the soils represent human hearts with varying receptivity.

Key verses:Matthew 13:3-8, 18-23Mark 4:3-20Luke 8:5-15

☩Spiritual Principles

Scripture uses sowing as an analogy for moral actions and their consequences: 'Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.' The long sorrow of sowing contrasts with the joy of reaping: 'He that goeth forth weeping, bearing precious seed, shall come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves.'

Key verses:Galatians 6:7-8Psalm 126:5-6Proverbs 11:18Hosea 10:12

Related Verses17 mentions

Isaiah· 3 verses

28:2532:2055:10

Matthew· 2 verses

13:313:18

Mark· 2 verses

4:34:14

Hosea· 2 verses

8:710:12

See Also

The Bible panorama, or The Holy Scriptures in picture and story (1891) (14782582774)
Agriculture
Hybridism
Hybridism

References

  1. 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Sower, Sowing," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  2. 2.John McClintock and James Strong, "Sower, Sowing," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  3. 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Sower," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
  4. 4.John McClintock and James Strong, "Sower, Sowing," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  5. 5.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Sower," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
  6. 6.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Sower," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).