ἐξανατέλλω (exanatellō)
exanatellō
to sprout up
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb exanatellō describes the action of springing up or shooting forth from the earth. It is a compound word that intensifies the idea of growth, suggesting something bursting upward with visible energy. In the New Testament, this term appears only twice, both within the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13:5 and Mark 4:5.
In these passages, it depicts the rapid emergence of seedlings from shallow soil. The word captures the initial moment of life breaking through the ground, highlighting the suddenness of the sprout before any deep roots have formed. This vivid imagery underscores the fragility of a faith that begins with enthusiasm but lacks the depth to endure.
While the related verb anatellō simply means to rise or spring up, the prefix exa- adds a sense of force or completeness to the action. The sources note its use in the Septuagint for plants causing the earth to bud forth, linking this New Testament usage to broader biblical themes of agricultural growth and divine provision.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word exanatellō paints a picture of sudden, energetic growth. It describes seedlings bursting upward from shallow soil, capturing that initial moment when life breaks through the ground with visible force. This imagery speaks to the early stages of faith, where enthusiasm is high and response is immediate.
Yet this rapid sprouting also reveals fragility. Without depth, what rises quickly can struggle to endure. The parable reminds us that genuine spiritual growth requires more than a momentary burst of energy; it needs roots that go deep into the heart. This word invites us to examine the foundation of our trust in God.
May your faith grow steadily, rooted in truth and supported by grace. Let us seek depth over speed, knowing that God nurtures what is planted with care.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- it sprang up2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐξανέτειλεν2×
Key Verses
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Matthew 13:5
Others fell on rocky ground, where they didn’t have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of earth.
The term exanatellō here emphasizes the immediate upward surge of seedlings in shallow soil, highlighting the contrast between rapid appearance and lack of depth.
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Mark 4:5
Others fell on the rocky ground, where it had little soil, and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of soil.
In this parallel account, the same verb underscores how quickly life emerges when conditions seem favorable but foundational support is missing.