μηκύνω (mēkunō)
mēkunō
to grow
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb mekunō means to grow or to become longer, appearing only once in the New Testament at Mark 4:27. In this context, it describes the natural process by which a plant increases in size and length as it develops. The word connects directly to mēkos, meaning "length," highlighting the physical extension of the stem or shoot.
Its usage is specific to vegetation, illustrating organic growth rather than human effort. This singular occurrence emphasizes how life expands quietly and steadily on its own, independent of the sower’s direct control. The term captures the simple, observable reality of nature unfolding over time.
Translators typically render this word as "grew" or "grow," reflecting its straightforward descriptive power. By focusing on the physical act of lengthening, the text grounds spiritual truths in tangible, everyday experiences of agriculture and natural development.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word mekunō appears only once in the New Testament, right in the middle of Jesus’ parable about the growing seed. It describes a plant getting longer and stronger on its own. This simple image reminds us that spiritual life often develops quietly, outside our direct control or understanding.
You might feel responsible for every detail of your faith journey, but this verse offers relief. The seed sprouts and grows while the farmer sleeps. God sustains growth in ways we cannot see or manage. You can trust that He is working even when progress seems slow or invisible.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- it may grow1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- μηκύνηται1×
Key Verses
-
Mark 4:27
and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should spring up and grow, though he doesn’t know how.
This verse uses mekunō to show that the seed's growth happens independently of the sower's awareness, highlighting God's hidden work in spiritual development.