Brief Overview of Γεωργέω (G1090: geōrgeō)

Transliteration and Meaning:
The Greek word γεωργέω (transliterated as geōrgeō and pronounced as “ge-orgeh-oh”) derives from the root words γῆ (gē), meaning “earth” or “land,” and ἔργον (ergon), meaning “work” or “deed.” The compound thus conveys the idea of working the land, specifically in the context of agriculture. The primary meanings of γεωργέω include “to till,” “to cultivate,” “to farm,” and, by extension, “to care for” or “to tend” the land. It is used both literally, in reference to agricultural activities, and metaphorically, to signify the cultivation of something, such as nurturing spiritual growth or maintaining a community.

Lexical Insights and Biblical Usage:
In lexicons like BDAG, Thayer’s, and Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, γεωργέω is defined as working the land or engaging in agriculture. BDAG specifically highlights that this term is used in contexts related to farming or tilling the soil, with an emphasis on the physical act of cultivating the earth. Thayer’s Lexicon agrees with this, noting that γεωργέω can also imply broader forms of care or nurturing, particularly in metaphorical or spiritual contexts.

The word appears in the New Testament, particularly in the context of agricultural parables or teachings that use farming as a metaphor for spiritual truths. For example, in Luke 13:7, it is used in the parable of the barren fig tree, where the owner instructs the vine dresser to cut down the tree that has not borne fruit, illustrating the idea of judgment and the need for productive, fruitful lives.

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Usage in Classical Greek Literature:
In classical Greek literature, γεωργέω was a common term used to describe the essential activity of farming. It was a fundamental concept in an agrarian society, where the cultivation of land was central to survival and prosperity. Writers like Hesiod, in his Works and Days, discuss the virtues of a life devoted to farming, and Plato, in The Republic, references the role of agriculture in the ideal state. Xenophon also uses the term in Oeconomicus to describe the management of household and agricultural duties. These examples reflect the importance of γεωργέω in both practical and philosophical contexts within ancient Greek thought.

Summary:
The term γεωργέω (G1090), transliterated as geōrgeō, is a Greek word that primarily means “to till,” “to cultivate,” or “to farm.” Derived from the words for “earth” (γῆ) and “work” (ἔργον), it refers to the activity of working the land, both in literal agricultural contexts and in metaphorical senses, such as spiritual cultivation. Lexicons like BDAG and Thayer’s emphasize its use in describing agricultural labor, as well as its broader applications in the New Testament, particularly in parables and teachings that draw on agricultural imagery. Classical Greek literature also frequently used the term, underscoring the central role of farming in ancient society. Through its various uses, γεωργέω connects the physical act of cultivating the earth with the broader themes of growth, care, and productivity, both in the natural and spiritual realms.