ἐπισπείρω (epispeirō)
epispeirō
to sow above
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb epispeirō means to sow seeds on top of existing ground, often implying a careless or hasty action that scatters seed over the surface rather than planting it in prepared soil. In the New Testament, this word appears only once, in Matthew 13:25, where it describes the enemy’s sabotage during the parable of the weeds among the wheat.
Its meaning centers on the prefix ep- ("upon") combined with speirō ("to sow"). The sources highlight that this act was not careful cultivation but a disruptive scattering, likely done under cover of darkness to avoid detection. This specific usage underscores the theme of unexpected evil introduced into good work, contrasting sharply with the intentional sowing of the farmer.
Translators typically render this as "sowed weeds" or "came and sowed weeds," focusing on the result rather than the technical agricultural method. The word’s rarity emphasizes the singular nature of this spiritual conflict: just as one person can disrupt a field, so too can opposition arise unexpectedly in the spread of the gospel.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word epispeirō describes a careless act of scattering seeds on top of the ground rather than planting them properly. In Matthew 13:25, it captures how an enemy sowed weeds among wheat while everyone slept. This image reminds us that trouble often arrives unexpectedly, not because we failed, but because opposition exists in the world.
When challenges arise in your faith journey, this word offers comfort. It shows that disruption is part of the story, yet it does not define the final harvest. The farmer knows the difference between his careful work and the enemy’s hasty sabotage. You can trust that God sees both the sowing and the growing.
Even when confusion or harm appears in your life, remember that the Master of the field is aware. He distinguishes between what belongs to Him and what was planted by another. Your steady walk with Christ remains secure, regardless of the weeds scattered around you.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- over-sowed1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐπέσπειρεν1×
Key Verses
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Matthew 13:25
but while people slept, his enemy came and sowed darnel weeds also among the wheat, and went away.
This verse uses epispeirō to describe the enemy's hasty, hidden act of scattering weeds among wheat, contrasting it with the farmer's intentional cultivation.