זֵרוּעַ
𐤆𐤓𐤅𐤏
zêrûwaʻ
H2221 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
That which is sown; seed, crop, or produce resulting from sowing. Refers primarily to the product of sowing, including various grains and agricultural plants. In context, can denote sown fields, planted crops, or the yield of planting activities, with emphasis on the outcome or result of cultivation.
Semantic Range
what is sown, crop, planted field, cultivated produce, sown plant(s), agricultural yield
Root / Etymology
From the root זרע (z-r-ʿ), which means 'to sow, scatter seed.' The form זֵרוּעַ is a passive participle, indicating 'that which has been sown' or 'seeded (thing).' The participle form emphasizes the result of the action rather than the process.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In ancient Israelite agrarian society, זֵרוּעַ points not just to any seed but specifically to that which has been deliberately planted for cultivation, distinguishing it from wild or naturally occurring plants. The term most often appears in contexts describing agricultural produce or, collectively, fields of crops. Unlike זֶרַע (zera‘, 'seed'), which can refer both to literal seed, offspring, or progeny (in the case of humans and animals), זֵרוּעַ focuses on the agricultural context and the immediate product of sowing. In exilic and later periods, the term maintains its agricultural sense without major semantic shift. English translations as 'thing sown' or 'plant' may not always fully express the collective and resultative aspect embedded in the participle form.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from זָרַע; something sown, i.e. a plant; sowing, thing that is sown.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
זרע (z-r-ʿ) — to sow, to scatter seed, to spread
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1872 | דְּרַע | and his arms |
| H2220 | זְרוֹעַ | in an outstretched arm |
| H2232 | זָרַע | let me sow seed |
| H2233 | זֶרַע | in their seed |
| H2234 | זְרַע | in seed of |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2221-02 |
זֵרוּעֶ֣י/הָ | zerueyha | HNcmpc/Sp3fs |
things sown in it | her sown crops | 1 |
H2221-01 |
זֵר֖וּעַ | zerua | HNcmsa |
for sowing | sown produce | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2221-01 |
Leviticus 11:37 | זֵר֖וּעַ | zerua | HNcmsa |
for sowing | sown produce |
H2221-02 |
Isaiah 61:11 | זֵרוּעֶ֣י/הָ | zerueyha | HNcmpc/Sp3fs |
things sown in it | her sown crops |