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φυτεύω

phyteúō

G5452 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To plant or set in the ground (of a seed, tree, or plant); by extension, to establish, cause to take root, or firmly set something in place. In figurative contexts, to instill an idea, doctrine, or disposition in a person or community, highlighting the concept of causing something to take root and grow (either literally or metaphorically).

Semantic Range

to physically plant (a tree, seed, or plant), to establish or set firmly, to implant ideas or doctrines metaphorically, to cause to take root (literally or figuratively)

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root φῡ́ω (phyō, 'to bring forth, produce, grow') with the causative suffix -εύω, indicating the act of causing something to be planted or to grow. Thus, φυτεύω literally means 'to cause to grow, to plant.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, φυτεύω referred primarily to the physical act of planting or setting plants, trees, or seeds into the earth. The term maintains this sense in Hellenistic and Koine Greek, including the Septuagint and New Testament, where it is used both literally (e.g., of planting trees or vineyards) and metaphorically (e.g., of God 'planting' Israel, or of teaching and establishing doctrine). The figurative use—meaning to implant an idea, doctrine, or spiritual principle—is already present in Jewish-Greek sources and becomes more prominent in Hellenistic literature. In the Septuagint, φυτεύω often translates Hebrew שָׁתַל (to plant), especially in relation to God establishing or settling Israel in the land, or righteous people being 'planted by streams.' In the New Testament, the metaphorical use emphasizes the origins or causes of growth within communities or individuals (cf. Matt 15:13). English translations often render φυτεύω simply as 'plant,' but may not fully capture the breadth of metaphorical or existential significance inherent in some uses. The term contrasts with σπείρω ('to sow'), which is specific to dispersing seed rather than transplanting or embedding something to take root.

Translation Consistency

primary "plant" 11 occurrences

φυτεύω’s primary and most natural English equivalent is “plant,” which covers both the literal sense (putting seeds/trees in the ground) and the common figurative sense (causing ideas or dispositions to take root). It is the most frequent and idiomatic rendering in the corpus and works well for all inflected forms.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from a derivative of φύω; to set out in the earth, i.e. implant; figuratively, to instil doctrine:--plant.

Root Family

φυτεύω (phyteuō) — to plant, to cause to grow, to set in the ground, to establish

Root φυτ- to plant, to cause to grow, to set in the ground

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G5452-03 ἐφύτευσεν ephuteusen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG planted he planted he planted 4
G5452-06 φυτεύων phuteuon V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG planting the one planting the one planting 2
G5452-01 ἐφύτευον ephuteuon V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL they were planting they were planting they were planting 1
G5452-07 φυτεύθητι phuteutheti V AOR PASS IMP 2P SG be-planted Be planted Be planted 1
G5452-04 πεφυτευμένην pephuteumenen V PRF PASS PTCP ACC F SG planted having been planted having been planted 1
G5452-05 φυτεύει phuteuei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG plants plants plants 1
G5452-02 ἐφύτευσα ephuteusa V AOR ACT IND 1P SG planted I planted planted 1

Occurrences in Scripture

11 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G5452-03 Matthew 15:13 ἐφύτευσεν ephuteusen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG has planted he planted he planted
G5452-03 Matthew 21:33 ἐφύτευσεν ephuteusen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG planted he planted he planted
G5452-03 Mark 12:1 ἐφύτευσεν ephuteusen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG planted he planted he planted
G5452-04 Luke 13:6 πεφυτευμένην pephuteumenen V PRF PASS PTCP ACC F SG planted having been planted having been planted
G5452-07 Luke 17:6 φυτεύθητι phuteutheti V AOR PASS IMP 2P SG be-planted Be planted Be planted
G5452-01 Luke 17:28 ἐφύτευον ephuteuon V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL they were planting they were planting they were planting
G5452-03 Luke 20:9 ἐφύτευσεν ephuteusen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG planted he planted he planted
G5452-02 1 Corinthians 3:6 ἐφύτευσα ephuteusa V AOR ACT IND 1P SG planted I planted planted
G5452-06 1 Corinthians 3:7 φυτεύων phuteuon V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG who plants the one planting the one planting
G5452-06 1 Corinthians 3:8 φυτεύων phuteuon V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG planting the one planting the one planting
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