Topical Bible: Sown

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The term "sown" in the Bible primarily refers to the act of planting seeds in the ground, a process that is both literal and metaphorical throughout Scripture. The concept of sowing is deeply embedded in biblical teachings, symbolizing the dissemination of God's Word, the growth of faith, and the principles of reaping what one sows.

Literal Sowing

In its literal sense, sowing is an agricultural practice essential to the agrarian society of ancient Israel. The Bible frequently references sowing in the context of farming and harvest. For instance, in Genesis 26:12, we read about Isaac: "Now Isaac sowed in that land and reaped in the same year a hundredfold, and the LORD blessed him." This passage highlights the blessing of God upon the faithful, as Isaac's efforts in sowing were met with abundant harvest.

Metaphorical Sowing

Metaphorically, sowing is used to describe the spreading of God's Word and the spiritual truths of the Kingdom of God. In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus explains the different types of soil that receive the seed, which represents the Word of God. Matthew 13:3-9 states: "Then He told them many things in parables, saying, 'A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was sowing, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Some fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil. They sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow. But when the sun rose, the seedlings were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seeds fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the seedlings. Still other seeds fell on good soil and produced a crop—a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold. He who has ears, let him hear.'"

This parable illustrates the various responses to the Gospel message, emphasizing the importance of a receptive heart to truly understand and bear fruit.

Sowing and Reaping

The principle of sowing and reaping is a fundamental biblical truth that underscores moral and spiritual laws. Galatians 6:7-8 warns: "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 serves as a reminder of the consequences of one's actions, encouraging believers to live according to the Spirit.

Sowing in Righteousness

Sowing is also associated with righteousness and justice. Hosea 10:12 exhorts: "Sow for yourselves righteousness and reap the fruit of loving devotion; break up your unplowed ground. For it is time to seek the LORD until He comes and sends righteousness upon you like rain." Here, sowing righteousness is linked to seeking the Lord and experiencing His blessings.

Sowing in Tears

The Bible acknowledges the hardships and struggles associated with sowing, often using it as a metaphor for perseverance through trials. Psalm 126:5-6 offers hope: "Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy. He who goes out weeping, bearing a trail of seed, will surely return with shouts of joy, carrying sheaves of grain." This passage reassures believers that their labor and suffering for the sake of righteousness will ultimately lead to joy and fulfillment.

In summary, the concept of "sown" in the Bible encompasses both the physical act of planting and the spiritual act of spreading God's truth. It serves as a powerful metaphor for the growth of faith, the consequences of one's actions, and the hope of divine reward.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (p. p.) of Sow.

2. (p. p) of Sow.

Greek

4702. sporimos -- sown, ie a sown field
... sown, ie a sown field. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: sporimos Phonetic
Spelling: (spor'-ee-mos) Short Definition: sown, sown fields Definition: sown ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4702.htm - 6k

4703. sporos -- a sowing, ie seed (sown)
... a sowing, ie seed (sown). Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: sporos
Phonetic Spelling: (spro'-os) Short Definition: seed for sowing Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4703.htm - 6k

4690. sperma -- that which is sown, ie seed
... that which is sown, ie seed. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: sperma
Phonetic Spelling: (sper'-mah) Short Definition: seed, offspring Definition: ( ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4690.htm - 6k

4687. speiro -- to sow (seed)
... Word Origin a prim. verb Definition to sow (seed) NASB Word Usage sow (13), sowed
(6), sower (5), sower sows (1), sowing (1), sown (17), sows (8). sow, scatter. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4687.htm - 8k

4701. spora -- a sowing, by impl. seed
... seed. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: spora Phonetic Spelling:
(spor-ah') Short Definition: seed Definition: seed sown, a sowing. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4701.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew

2221. zerua -- a sowing, thing sown
... 2220, 2221. zerua. 2222 . a sowing, thing sown. Transliteration: zerua Phonetic
Spelling: (zay-roo'-ah) Short Definition: sowing. ... sowing, thing that is sown ...
/hebrew/2221.htm - 6k

4218. mizra -- place of sowing
... Word Origin from zara Definition place of sowing NASB Word Usage sown fields (1).
thing sown. From zara'; a planted field -- thing sown. see HEBREW zara'. ...
/hebrew/4218.htm - 6k

2232. zara -- to sow, scatter seed
... Word Usage conceive (1), gives birth (1), perpetuated (1), plant seed (1), scatter
(1), set (1), sow (28), sowed (2), sower (2), sowing (2), sown (10), sows (2 ...
/hebrew/2232.htm - 6k

2235. zeroa' -- vegetable
... pulse Or zerason {zay-raw-ohn'}; from zara'; something sown (only in the plural),
ie A vegetable (as food) -- pulse. see HEBREW zara'. 2234, 2235. ...
/hebrew/2235.htm - 5k

5599. caphiyach -- outpouring
... From caphach; something (spontaneously) falling off, ie A self-sown crop; figuratively,
a freshet -- (such) things as (which) grow (of themselves), which ...
/hebrew/5599.htm - 5k

Library

"It is Sown a Natural Body; it is Raised a Spiritual Body. " -- I ...
... "It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body." " I Cor. 15:44. ... "It is
sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body." " I:Cor.15:44. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/waring/hymns and meditations/it is sown a natural.htm

Sown among Thorns
... Sown Among Thorns. ... In a still better case, the seed has brought forth a hundred-fold;
it was precisely the same corn with which your field has been sown. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 34 1888/sown among thorns.htm

From St. Paul's Analogy of the Seed we Learn that the Body which ...
... sowest not the body which shall be," [7675] are you permitted to suppose that in
the resurrection a different body is to arise from that which is sown in death ...
/.../on the resurrection of the flesh/chapter lii from st pauls analogy.htm

God, Then, Gives to Each Thing Its Own Body as He Pleases...
... God, then, gives to each thing its own body as He pleases: as in the case of plants
that are sown, so also in the case of those beings who are, as it were ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xix god then gives.htm

The Wisdom of the Ages
... And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard,
Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their ...
/.../mark/jesus of nazareth a biography/chapter iv the wisdom of.htm

The Resurrection.
... It is the same wheat; yet behold how the fashion doth differ from what was
sown. And our BRAN will be left behind, when we rise again. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xxv the resurrection.htm

Let no One, However, Suspect That, in Speaking as we Do...
... which springs up comes from the grain of wheat, or anything else (which was cast
into the ground); whereas we, who believe that that which is "sown" is not ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen against celsus/chapter xxii let no one.htm

The Sower
... And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; and when they have heard,
straightway cometh Satan, and taketh away the word which hath been sown ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 4 3-9 14-20 the sower.htm

Four Soils for one Seed
... And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard,
Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/four soils for one seed.htm

Private Property and the Common Good
... When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh
the evil one, and snatcheth away that which hath been sown in his heart. ...
/.../the social principles of jesus/chapter viii private property and.htm

Thesaurus

Sown (45 Occurrences)
... 2. (p. p) of Sow. Multi-Version Concordance Sown (45 Occurrences). ... This is what was
sown by the roadside. (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/s/sown.htm - 20k

Self-sown (1 Occurrence)
Self-sown. Self-seeking, Self-sown. Selfsurrender . Multi-Version
Concordance Self-sown (1 Occurrence). Isaiah 37:30 ...
/s/self-sown.htm - 6k

Whenever (123 Occurrences)
... Mark 4:15 and these are they by the way where the word is sown: and whenever they
may hear, immediately cometh the Adversary, and he taketh away the word that ...
/w/whenever.htm - 36k

Road (155 Occurrences)
... Matthew 13:19 When anyone hears the word of the Kingdom, and doesn't understand
it, the evil one comes, and snatches away that which has been sown in his heart ...
/r/road.htm - 37k

Path (91 Occurrences)
... Matthew 13:19 When anyone hears the word of the Kingdom, and doesn't understand
it, the evil one comes, and snatches away that which has been sown in his heart ...
/p/path.htm - 33k

Beside (326 Occurrences)
... Matthew 13:19 When anyone hears the word of the Kingdom, and doesn't understand
it, the evil one comes, and snatches away that which has been sown in his heart ...
/b/beside.htm - 36k

Along (500 Occurrences)
... Matthew 13:19 When anyone hears the word of the Kingdom, and doesn't understand
it, the evil one comes, and snatches away that which has been sown in his heart ...
/a/along.htm - 33k

Understanding (248 Occurrences)
... Matthew 13:19 Every one hearing the word of the reign, and not understanding --
the evil one doth come, and doth catch that which hath been sown in his heart ...
/u/understanding.htm - 38k

Fell (331 Occurrences)
... Matthew 13:20 What was sown on the rocky places, this is he who hears the
word, and immediately with joy receives it; (See NIV). ...
/f/fell.htm - 36k

Message (222 Occurrences)
... Matthew 13:19 When a man hears the Message concerning the Kingdom and does not
understand it, the Evil one comes and catches away what has been sown in his ...
/m/message.htm - 34k

Resources

How will our resurrection body be different from our current body? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about sowing and reaping? | GotQuestions.org

Is it possible for a believer to unbelieve? | GotQuestions.org

Sown: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Sown (45 Occurrences)

Matthew 13:8
Others fell on good soil, and yielded fruit: some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty.
(See NIV)

Matthew 13:19
When anyone hears the word of the Kingdom, and doesn't understand it, the evil one comes, and snatches away that which has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown by the roadside.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 13:20
What was sown on the rocky places, this is he who hears the word, and immediately with joy receives it;
(WEB ASV DBY YLT NAS RSV)

Matthew 13:22
What was sown among the thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of this age and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.
(WEB ASV DBY YLT NAS RSV)

Matthew 13:23
What was sown on the good ground, this is he who hears the word, and understands it, who most certainly bears fruit, and brings forth, some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty."
(WEB ASV DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 13:24
Another parable He put before them. "The Kingdom of the Heavens," He said, "may be compared to a man who has sown good seed in his field,
(WEY)

Matthew 13:27
And the bondmen of the householder came up and said to him, Sir, hast thou not sown good seed in thy field? whence then has it darnel?
(DBY)

Matthew 13:36
When He had dismissed the people and had returned to the house, His disciples came to Him with the request, "Explain to us the parable of the darnel sown in the field."
(WEY)

Matthew 25:24
Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
(KJV WEY WBS NIV)

Matthew 25:26
"'You wicked and slothful servant,' replied his master, 'did you know that I reap where I have not sown, and garner what I have not winnowed?
(WEY WBS NIV)

Mark 4:15
The ones by the road are the ones where the word is sown; and when they have heard, immediately Satan comes, and takes away the word which has been sown in them.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Mark 4:16
These in like manner are those who are sown on the rocky places, who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with joy.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Mark 4:18
Others are those who are sown among the thorns. These are those who have heard the word,
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Mark 4:20
Those which were sown on the good ground are those who hear the word, and accept it, and bear fruit, some thirty times, some sixty times, and some one hundred times."
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Mark 4:31
It's like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, though it is less than all the seeds that are on the earth,
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Mark 4:32
yet when it is sown, grows up, and becomes greater than all the herbs, and puts out great branches, so that the birds of the sky can lodge under its shadow."
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Luke 8:8
Other fell into the good ground, and grew, and brought forth fruit one hundred times." As he said these things, he called out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"
(See NIV)

1 Corinthians 9:11
If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
(KJV DBY WBS RSV NIV)

1 Corinthians 15:42
So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Corinthians 15:43
It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Corinthians 15:44
It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body and there is also a spiritual body.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Corinthians 9:10
Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
(KJV WBS YLT)

James 3:18
Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Genesis 47:23
And Joseph saith unto the people, 'Lo, I have bought you to-day and your ground for Pharaoh; lo, seed for you, and ye have sown the ground,
(YLT)

Exodus 23:16
And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labors, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labors out of the field.
(KJV DBY WBS)

Leviticus 11:37
If part of their carcass falls on any sowing seed which is to be sown, it is clean.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Leviticus 25:22
and ye have sown the eighth year, and have eaten of the old increase; until the ninth year, until the coming in of its increase, ye do eat the old.
(YLT)

Numbers 5:28
And if the woman hath not been defiled, and is clean, then she hath been acquitted, and hath been sown 'with' seed.
(YLT)

Deuteronomy 21:4
and the elders of that city shall bring down the heifer to a valley with running water, which is neither plowed nor sown, and shall break the heifer's neck there in the valley.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Deuteronomy 22:9
You shall not sow your vineyard with two kinds of seed, lest the whole fruit be forfeited, the seed which you have sown, and the increase of the vineyard.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)

Deuteronomy 29:23
And that the whole land thereof is brimstone, and salt, and burning, that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the LORD overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath:
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Judges 6:3
So it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east; they came up against them;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS NAS)

Job 22:8
But as for the mighty man, he had the earth. The honorable man, he lived in it. it is not sown, nor bears, nor any grass grows therein, like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, which Yahweh overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath:
(WEB)

Job 31:8
Then let me sow, and let another eat; yea, let the produce of my field be rooted out.
(See NIV)

Psalms 97:11
Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS)

Isaiah 19:7
The meadows by the Nile, by the brink of the Nile, and all the sown fields of the Nile, will become dry, be driven away, and be no more.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Isaiah 40:24
They are planted scarcely. They are sown scarcely. Their stock has scarcely taken root in the ground. He merely blows on them, and they wither, and the whirlwind takes them away as stubble.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Isaiah 61:11
For as the earth brings forth its bud, and as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord Yahweh will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Jeremiah 2:2
Go, and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus says Yahweh, I remember for you the kindness of your youth, the love of your weddings; how you went after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 12:13
They have sown wheat, and have reaped thorns; they have put themselves to pain, and profit nothing: and you shall be ashamed of your fruits, because of the fierce anger of Yahweh.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)

Jeremiah 31:27
Lo, days are coming, an affirmation of Jehovah, And I have sown the house of Israel, And the house of Judah, With seed of man, and seed of beast.
(YLT)

Ezekiel 36:9
For, behold, I am for you, and I will turn into you, and you shall be tilled and sown;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Hosea 8:7
For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk; the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up.
(KJV DBY WBS)

Nahum 1:14
And the LORD hath given a commandment concerning thee, that no more of thy name be sown: out of the house of thy gods will I cut off the graven image and the molten image: I will make thy grave; for thou art vile.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS)

Haggai 1:6
You have sown much, and bring in little. You eat, but you don't have enough. You drink, but you aren't filled with drink. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm, and he who earns wages earns wages to put them into a bag with holes in it."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Subtopics

Sown

Related Terms

Reaps (6 Occurrences)

Reap (35 Occurrences)

Way-side (10 Occurrences)

Falls (79 Occurrences)

Peck (3 Occurrences)

stingy (1 Occurrence)

Lower (72 Occurrences)

Generously (12 Occurrences)

Forget (77 Occurrences)