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    Seed

    זֶרַע (zera)

    Offspring, descendants, and the promised line — the carrier of God's covenant purposes.

    Hebrew
    Strong's H2233
    Pronunciation: ZEH-rah
    Quick Answer

    Zera is the Hebrew word for seed, meaning offspring, descendants, or the grain sown in a field. It is one of the Bible's most important theological terms, tracing God's promise from Eve's seed through Abraham's descendants to Christ.

    "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." — Genesis 3:15 (KJV)

    Key Verses

    Genesis 3:15

    “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”
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    Galatians 3:16

    “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.”
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    Mark 4:14

    “The sower soweth the word.”
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    Strong's Concordance

    Strong's H2233 — Seed (זֶרַע (zera))

    Browse the full lexicon entry and every KJV verse where זֶרַע (zera) appears.

    Open Strong's H2233

    Etymology and Original Meaning

    Zera means 'seed' in both agricultural and biological senses — the grain planted in a field and the offspring produced through reproduction. This dual meaning enriches the metaphor: seed carries life, potential, and continuity. Just as a grain of wheat contains the blueprint for the entire plant, so the 'seed' of promise carries the blueprint of God's redemptive plan.

    The Protoevangelium

    The first messianic promise — Genesis 3:15 — centers on seed: the woman's seed will crush the serpent's head. This 'protoevangelium' (first gospel) introduces the scarlet thread that runs through the entire Bible: through a specific lineage, God would produce a deliverer who would defeat evil. The seed promise narrows progressively: from Eve to Seth to Abraham to Judah to David to Christ.

    Abraham's Seed

    God promised Abraham, 'In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed' (Genesis 22:18). Paul makes a critical interpretive move: 'He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ' (Galatians 3:16). The ultimate Seed of Abraham is Christ — and all who believe in Him become Abraham's seed and heirs of the promise (Galatians 3:29).

    The Parable of the Sower

    Jesus taught that 'the seed is the word of God' (Luke 8:11). The parable of the sower (Mark 4) reveals that the same seed produces vastly different results depending on the soil. The word of God carries infinite potential, but the condition of the human heart determines whether it produces nothing, a little, or an abundant harvest.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What does seed mean in the Bible?

    Seed (zera) means offspring, descendants, and the grain sown in a field. Theologically, it traces God's promise from Eve's seed through Abraham's line to Christ — the ultimate Seed through whom all nations are blessed.

    Who is the seed of Abraham?

    Paul identifies the ultimate seed of Abraham as Christ (Galatians 3:16). All who believe in Christ become Abraham's seed and heirs of the promise (Galatians 3:29) — regardless of ethnic background.

    Which Bible verse uses the word "Seed"?

    Genesis 3:15 — "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel" (KJV). It also appears in Galatians 3:16, Mark 4:14.

    Why does the Hebrew word behind "Seed" matter?

    Zera means 'seed' in both agricultural and biological senses — the grain planted in a field and the offspring produced through reproduction. English uses one word, "Seed", where the Hebrew זֶרַע (zera) carries the fuller sense: offspring, descendants, and the promised line — the carrier of god's covenant purposes.

    Related Words

    Covenant
    Promise
    Firstborn
    Inheritance

    Related Reading

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    Word Meaning

    Seed (זֶרַע (zera))

    Offspring, descendants, and the promised line — the carrier of God's covenant purposes.

    Strong's

    Strong's H2233 — Seed

    זֶרַע (zera) • Offspring, descendants, and the promised line — the carrier of God's covenant purposes.

    Spiritual Warfare

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    Dream Meaning

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    Promise, God's people, or leaders in His kingdom.

    Commentary

    Genesis 12:1-3 Commentary

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    Bible Quiz

    Genesis 22 Quiz — Abraham & Isaac on Mount Moriah

    The supreme test of Abraham's faith and the LORD's provision.

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