βλαστάνω
blastánō
G985 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To sprout, bud, or shoot forth (literally); to put forth shoots or new growth, often used of plants germinating or producing new life. In extended or metaphorical usage, to yield, produce, or bring forth (especially fruit), emphasizing the emergence or appearance of results from growth. The word thus covers both the initial visible stages of plant growth and, by figurative extension, any emergence, development, or production (such as fruitfulness or outcomes) in various contexts.
Semantic Range
to sprout (of plants), to bud, to shoot forth, to germinate, to bring forth (produce or yield fruit), to develop or arise (figuratively)
Root / Etymology
From the Greek root βλαστ- ('shoot, sprout'), related to the noun βλαστός (shoot, sprout, offspring). Closely connected to words for plant growth and generative processes. No clear Semitic etymology; the word is of native Greek derivation.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, βλαστάνω is primarily used to denote the literal act of sprouting, budding, or putting forth new growth from the earth, especially with reference to plants, trees, or cultivated fields. In the Septuagint, it is used frequently to translate Hebrew terms for germination and growth, as in the imagery of budding or flourishing (cf. Isa 27:6 LXX). By the Hellenistic and New Testament periods, the verb is rare but retains its association with plant life and the emergence of new growth (e.g., Heb 9:4 regarding the budding of Aaron’s staff). The sense can be extended metaphorically to refer to productivity, fruitfulness, or the generation of results, not limited to literal plants. English versions may translate with 'bud,' 'sprout,' 'bring forth,' or 'spring up,' but these do not always capture the full association with life and generative potential carried in the Greek. βλαστάνω is distinct from verbs like φυω (phuō, to grow by nature or be born) or ανατελλω (anatellō, to rise, often of the sun or a shoot) by its focus on the act or process of putting forth shoots or buds.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from (a sprout); to germinate; by implication, to yield fruit:--bring forth, bud, spring (up).
Root Family
βλαστάνω (blastanō) — to sprout, to bud, to shoot forth, to produce
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G985-03 |
ἐβλάστησεν | eblastesen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
brought forth | it sprouted | it sprouted | 2 |
G985-02 |
βλαστήσασα | blastesasa | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM F SG |
that budded | having sprouted | having sprouted | 1 |
G985-01 |
βλαστᾷ | blasta | V PRS ACT SUBJ 3P SG |
should spring | may sprout forth | may sprout forth | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G985-03 |
Matthew 13:26 | ἐβλάστησεν | eblastesen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
sprouted | it sprouted | it sprouted |
G985-01 |
Mark 4:27 | βλαστᾷ | blasta | V PRS ACT SUBJ 3P SG |
should spring | may sprout forth | may sprout forth |
G985-02 |
Hebrews 9:4 | βλαστήσασα | blastesasa | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM F SG |
that budded | having sprouted | having sprouted |
G985-03 |
James 5:18 | ἐβλάστησεν | eblastesen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
brought forth | it sprouted | it sprouted |