In the biblical narrative, the concept of seed is foundational to understanding the order and design of creation as instituted by God. The term "seed" is used both literally and metaphorically throughout Scripture, signifying not only the physical propagation of plants but also the perpetuation of life and the fulfillment of divine promises.

Creation and Order

The account of creation in Genesis establishes the principle that every plant and tree yields seed according to its kind. Genesis 1:11-12 states, "Then God said, 'Let the earth bring forth vegetation, seed-bearing plants and fruit trees, each bearing fruit with seed according to its kind.' And it was so. The earth produced vegetation: seed-bearing plants according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good." This passage underscores the divine order and intentionality in creation, where each plant reproduces within its own kind, ensuring the continuity and stability of the created world.

Symbolism and Covenant

The concept of seed extends beyond the botanical realm, symbolizing the transmission of life and the unfolding of God's covenantal promises. In Genesis 3:15, the "seed of the woman" is prophesied to crush the serpent's head, foreshadowing the ultimate victory over sin and evil through Jesus Christ. This promise of redemption is a central theme throughout Scripture, with the seed representing the lineage through which God's salvation plan is realized.

The Abrahamic covenant further illustrates the significance of seed. God promises Abraham that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars and that through his seed, all nations of the earth will be blessed (Genesis 22:17-18). This promise is reiterated to Isaac and Jacob, emphasizing the continuity of God's covenant through successive generations.

Agricultural Laws and Practices

The Mosaic Law contains specific instructions regarding the sowing and harvesting of seed, reflecting the importance of maintaining purity and order in agricultural practices. Leviticus 19:19 commands, "You must keep My statutes. You shall not breed your livestock with different kinds, nor sow your field with two kinds of seed, nor wear clothing made of two kinds of material." These laws highlight the principle of separation and purity, which is a recurring theme in the holiness code.

Parables and Teachings of Jesus

In the New Testament, Jesus frequently uses the imagery of seed in His parables to convey spiritual truths. The Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23) illustrates the different responses to the Word of God, likening the Word to seed sown on various types of soil. The growth and yield of the seed depend on the condition of the soil, symbolizing the receptivity of the human heart to divine truth.

Similarly, the Parable of the Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31-32) depicts the kingdom of heaven as a mustard seed, which, though small, grows into a large tree. This parable emphasizes the transformative power and expansive nature of God's kingdom, which begins humbly but grows to encompass all.

Spiritual Implications

The apostle Paul further develops the metaphor of seed in his epistles, particularly in relation to the resurrection. In 1 Corinthians 15:36-38 , Paul writes, "You fool! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. And what you sow is not the body that will be, but a bare seed, perhaps of wheat or something else. But God gives it a body as He has designed, and to each kind of seed He gives its own body." Here, the seed represents the believer's mortal body, which must die to be raised in a glorified form, illustrating the hope of resurrection and eternal life.

The concept of seed, therefore, permeates the biblical narrative, symbolizing creation, covenant, and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. It serves as a powerful reminder of the divine order, the faithfulness of God's promises, and the transformative power of His Word.Genesis 1:11,12,29
And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth: and it was so.
Nave's Topical Index

Victor Emmanuel, Emancipator
... the earth bring forth grass and the herb yielding seed ... the belief, "that he shall
see his seed, he shall ... heart, which should commend him much to every lowly and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/victor emmanuel emancipator.htm

The Barren Fig-Tree;
... 'He that received the seed into stony ... 1. God cuts down the barren fig-tree by an
immediate hand ... 'Every branch,' saith Christ, 'that beareth not fruit in me, he ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the barren fig-tree.htm

The Water of Life;
... the graces of the church; and so the soul and graces of every godly man ... For this
must be remembered, that as the herb that is planted, or seed sown, needs ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the water of life.htm

Chapter i
... in a loose sense so as to include every body of ... since nothing indicates the prior
creation of seed, the only ... result a pair of doubles "grass of herb" and "tree ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter i.htm

The Pilgrim's Progress
... goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless ... Every shipmaster,
when in a storm, will willingly cast ... and had them to a tree, whose inside was ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the pilgrims progress.htm

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