γεωργέω (geōrgeō)
geōrgeō
to farm
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb geōrgeō describes the practical work of farming or tilling the ground. Derived from words for "earth" and "worker," it refers specifically to cultivating soil rather than general labor. In the New Testament, this term appears only once, in Hebrews 6:7, where it grounds a spiritual metaphor in agricultural reality.
The text uses the passive voice here, depicting land that receives rain and produces useful crops. This image highlights the farmer’s role as one who prepares the ground for growth, relying on divine provision like rain to yield a harvest. The passage contrasts this fruitful earth with land that is rejected, emphasizing that true value comes from producing what is beneficial.
Translators typically render geōrgeō as "cultivate" or "work," preserving the connection between human effort and natural processes. By using this specific agricultural term, the author draws a clear parallel between physical farming and spiritual fruitfulness, showing how consistent care leads to tangible results.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word geōrgeō describes the steady, physical work of farming—tilling soil and preparing the ground for growth. It reminds us that spiritual fruitfulness often requires patient effort. Just as a farmer tends the earth, we are called to nurture our hearts with consistent care and attention.
In Hebrews 6:7, this term highlights how land that receives rain and produces useful crops is blessed by God. This image encourages us to trust that our faithful efforts, combined with divine provision, lead to meaningful results. It is a gentle reminder that growth takes time, but it is always worthwhile.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- it is tilled,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- γεωργεῖται,1×
Key Verses
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Hebrews 6:7
For the land which has drunk the rain that comes often on it and produces a crop suitable for them for whose sake it is also tilled, receives blessing from God;
This verse uses the passive voice of geōrgeō to describe land being tilled, emphasizing that human preparation works in partnership with God's blessing to produce a harvest.