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זְרַע

𐤆𐤓𐤏

zᵉraʻ

H2234 noun

SILEX Entry

Root זרע to sow, scatter seed, produce offspring

Definition

Seed, the substance capable of producing new life in plants or animals, and by extension, offspring or posterity—descendants of a person or lineage. In agricultural and metaphorical contexts, the term refers both to literal seed for planting as well as the idea of progeny or lineal descendants.

Semantic Range

seed (of plants), semen, offspring, descendants, posterity

Root / Etymology

The term זְרַע is an Aramaic cognate of the Hebrew זֶרַע, derived from the root ז-ר-ע, which primarily means 'to sow' or 'to scatter seed.' The noun formation refers to the product of sowing: seed or what is sown. The root sense ('to sow') underlies the metaphorical extension to descendants, understood as the 'planted' future generation.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Aramaic portions of the Hebrew Bible, particularly in Daniel and Ezra, זְרַע primarily denotes 'offspring' or 'posterity,' readily paralleling its Hebrew equivalent. Agricultural usage (literal seeds) is less prominent in these Aramaic contexts than the metaphorical sense relating to descendants. The term, when denoting human posterity, allows for broad application—sometimes meaning direct biological offspring, other times an extended lineage. The English term 'seed' in early Bible translations often obscures the distinction between literal and metaphorical usage; 'offspring' or 'descendants' may more accurately render the intended meaning in most Aramaic biblical contexts. Unlike terms for individual children (e.g., בן), זְרַע emphasizes continuity and generational succession. The word does not carry specific ethnic or religious connotations beyond biological descent unless clarified by context.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) corresponding to זֶרַע; posterity; seed.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

זרע (z-r-ʿ) — to sow, scatter seed, produce offspring

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1872 דְּרַע and his arms
H2220 זְרוֹעַ in an outstretched arm
H2221 זֵרוּעַ sown produce
H2232 זָרַע let me sow seed
H2233 זֶרַע in their seed

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2234-01 בִּ/זְרַ֣ע bizera AR/Ncmsc with-seed in seed of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2234-01 Daniel 2:43 בִּ/זְרַ֣ע bizera AR/Ncmsc with-seed in seed of
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