Seedtime
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Seedtime is a term that appears in the Bible to denote the period designated for sowing seeds, a critical phase in the agricultural cycle. This concept is deeply rooted in the agrarian society of ancient Israel and holds significant theological and symbolic meaning throughout the Scriptures.

Biblical References

The concept of seedtime is first introduced in Genesis 8:22, where God makes a covenant with Noah after the flood: "As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night shall never cease" . This promise underscores the reliability and orderliness of God's creation, assuring humanity of the continuity of natural cycles.

Agricultural Significance

In the agrarian context of the Bible, seedtime was a crucial period that required careful planning and diligent labor. The success of the harvest depended on the proper execution of sowing during this time. Farmers had to prepare the soil, select the right seeds, and plant them at the appropriate time to ensure a bountiful harvest. This process is often used metaphorically in Scripture to illustrate spiritual truths.

Spiritual and Symbolic Meaning

Seedtime is frequently used in the Bible to symbolize the principles of sowing and reaping, which are applicable to both physical and spiritual realms. In Galatians 6:7-8, the Apostle Paul writes, "Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life" . This passage highlights the moral and ethical dimensions of seedtime, emphasizing the consequences of one's actions.

Parables and Teachings of Jesus

Jesus frequently used agricultural imagery, including seedtime, in His parables to convey spiritual truths. In the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3-9, Mark 4:3-9, Luke 8:5-8), Jesus describes different types of soil that represent the varied responses to the Word of God. The seed, which is the Word, must be sown in good soil to produce a fruitful harvest. This parable illustrates the importance of receptivity and preparedness in the spiritual life.

Eschatological Implications

Seedtime also carries eschatological implications, pointing to the ultimate harvest at the end of the age. In Matthew 13:39, Jesus explains the Parable of the Weeds, stating, "The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels" . This imagery serves as a reminder of the final judgment, where the righteous and the wicked will be separated, much like wheat and weeds.

Conclusion

Seedtime, as presented in the Bible, is a multifaceted concept that encompasses agricultural practices, spiritual principles, and eschatological themes. It serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness in maintaining the natural order, the moral law of sowing and reaping, and the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(n.) The season proper for sowing.
Strong's Hebrew
2233. zera -- a sowing, seed, offspring
... 3), intercourse* (2), line (1), nation (1), offspring (38), offspring's offspring
(1), origin (1), posterity (1), race (1), seed (48), seedtime (1), seminal (4 ...
/hebrew/2233.htm - 6k
Library

LM Doddridge. Weeping Seedtime; Joyful Harvest.
... VII. THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. 328. LM Doddridge. Weeping Seedtime; Joyful Harvest.
1 The darkened sky, how thick it lowers! Troubled ...
/.../book of hymns for public and private devotion/328 l m doddridge weeping.htm

The Sermon of the Seasons
... "While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer
and winter, and day and night shall not cease.""Genesis 8:22. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 32 1886/the sermon of the seasons.htm

The Interpretation of the Early Narratives of the Old Testament
... 21, 22): While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Summer
and winter, Day and night Shall not cease. The priest ...
/.../xiv the interpretation of the.htm

'Clear Shining after Rain'
... While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer
and winter, and day and night shall not cease,'"Genesis 8:1-22. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/clear shining after rain.htm

The Swift Decay of Love
... it was then universal, that Israel was at the beginning of its long training, that
not even a divine revelation could produce harvest in seedtime, and that to ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the swift decay of love.htm

The Husbandman and his Operations
... But seedtime too, passes, and then he cuts down what he had so carefully sown, and
pulls up what he had so sedulously planted, and, in different ways, breaks ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the husbandman and his operations.htm

Seeds of Promise. CM
... CM. Seedtime and Harvest. Oh, scatter seeds of loving deeds, Along the fertile field,
For grain will grow from what you sow, And fruitful harvest yield. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/lorenz/the otterbein hymnal/414 seeds of promise c m.htm

On Our Way Rejoicing
... Day by day thou find us. Doing what we can,. Thou who giv'st the seedtime. Wilt
give large increase,. Crown the head with blessings,. Fill the heart with peace. ...
/.../processionals 532 on our way.htm

we Plow the Fields, and Scatter
... We thank thee, then, O Father,. For all things bright and good,. The seedtime and
the harvest,. Our life, our health, our food: No gifts have we to offer. ...
/.../thanksgiving day 423 we plow.htm

December 21 Evening
... Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have
I given you all things."While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest ...
/.../anonymous/daily light on the daily path/december 21 evening.htm

Thesaurus
Seedtime (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The season proper for sowing. Multi-Version
Concordance Seedtime (1 Occurrence). Genesis 8:22 While ...
/s/seedtime.htm - 6k

Seed-time (1 Occurrence)
Seed-time. Seedtime, Seed-time. Seeeth . Multi-Version Concordance Seed-time
(1 Occurrence). ... (WBS YLT). Seedtime, Seed-time. Seeeth . Reference Bible.
/s/seed-time.htm - 6k

Seed-stones (1 Occurrence)
Seed-stones. Seed's, Seed-stones. Seedtime . Multi-Version Concordance
Seed-stones (1 Occurrence). ... (DBY). Seed's, Seed-stones. Seedtime . Reference
/s/seed-stones.htm - 6k

Agriculture
... With climatic conditions and fertility so varied, the mode of cultivation, seedtime
and harvest differed even in closely adjacent territory. ...
/a/agriculture.htm - 27k

Resources
Does the Bible indicate that, in the end times, people will not be able to recognize the different seasons? | GotQuestions.org

Seedtime: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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