Introduction
Understanding Greek words in biblical studies is essential for gaining deeper insights into the scriptures. The Greek word θερισμός (therismos), translated as “harvest,” is particularly significant as it appears frequently in the New Testament, often symbolizing not only the literal gathering of crops but also spiritual truths. It reflects themes of divine judgment, the gathering of believers, and the fulfillment of God’s promises. Exploring the full meaning of θερισμός offers both scholars and lay readers a richer comprehension of its theological and cultural implications.
Key Information
- The Greek Word: θερισμός, therismos [the-ree-SMOS]
- Etymology: Derived from the root verb θερίζω (therizō), meaning “to reap” or “to harvest.”
- Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine; Second Declension.
- The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.
Primary Meanings
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- Harvest: Refers to the act or season of gathering crops.
- Reaping: A broader term encompassing both the action of cutting and gathering crops.
- Spiritual Harvest: Metaphorically refers to the gathering of believers or the final judgment.
Similar Words: θεριστής (theristēs) [the-ree-STACE]: meaning “reaper” or “harvester,” directly related to the verb θερίζω (therizō). While θερισμός (therismos) refers to the act or season of harvesting, θεριστής (theristēs) is the one who performs the act of reaping or harvesting.
Further Insights: θερισμός (therismos) is a masculine noun in the second declension, which impacts its grammatical usage in sentences. This noun is often used in parables and teachings of Jesus to illustrate the urgency of spiritual readiness and the inevitability of divine judgment. Below is a table showing the declension of θερισμός in the singular and plural forms:
| Case / Number | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | θερισμός | θερισμοί |
| Genitive | θερισμοῦ | θερισμῶν |
| Dative | θερισμῷ | θερισμοῖς |
| Accusative | θερισμόν | θερισμούς |
| Vocative | θερισμέ | θερισμοί |
Click here for a beginners guide to reading Greek: Understanding Greek Grammar: A Beginner’s Guide.
Lexicon Insights
- BDAG: θερισμός (therismos) primarily denotes “harvest” in both literal and figurative senses. The lexicon highlights its frequent use in Jesus’ parables where θερισμός refers to the final judgment or the gathering of souls.
- Thayer’s Lexicon: θερισμός is explained as “the act of reaping,” with both agricultural and eschatological applications. It notes that the term often appears in contexts speaking of divine judgment.
- Vine’s Expository Dictionary: It emphasizes the metaphorical usage of θερισμός in the New Testament, where it often represents God’s gathering of the righteous.
- LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones): θερισμός is defined simply as “harvest” or “reaping,” with citations from classical literature showing similar usage.
- Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Defines θερισμός as “reaping” or “harvest,” indicating that the term appears mainly in contexts about agricultural activities or as metaphors for spiritual truths.
Related Scripture References
- Matthew 9:37: “Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest (θερισμός) is plentiful, but the laborers are few.'”
- Luke 10:2: “And he said to them, ‘The harvest (θερισμός) is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest (θερισμός).'”
- John 4:35: “Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest (θερισμός)’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest (θερισμός).”
- Revelation 14:15: “And another angel came out of the temple, calling with a loud voice to him who sat on the cloud, ‘Put in your sickle, and reap, for the hour to reap has come, for the harvest (θερισμός) of the earth is fully ripe.'”
Classical Usage
| Author | Name of Work | English Text |
|---|---|---|
| Herodotus | Histories | “The time of the harvest (θερισμός) was considered auspicious for the gathering.” |
| Aristotle | Politics | “He who plants the seed must also wait for the harvest (θερισμός), for the fruit comes not immediately.” |
| Xenophon | Oeconomicus | “The farmer’s life is measured by the cycles of sowing and harvesting (θερισμός).” |
| Septuagint (LXX) | Proverbs 10:5 | “He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps during harvest (θερισμός) is a disgraceful son.” |
| Septuagint (LXX) | Jeremiah 8:20 | “The harvest (θερισμός) is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” |
| Septuagint (LXX) | Joel 3:13 | “Put in the sickle, for the harvest (θερισμός) is ripe. Come, tread, for the winepress is full.” |
Summary of θερισμός (G2326)
The Greek word θερισμός (therismos) carries a rich array of meanings, both literal and metaphorical. In the New Testament, it frequently symbolizes divine judgment, the gathering of believers, and spiritual readiness. Its use in the Septuagint and classical Greek literature reflects similar themes of reaping, cycles of life, and consequences. Understanding θερισμός provides deeper insights into biblical passages that use agricultural metaphors to convey spiritual truths.
Did You Know?
- The term θερισμός (therismos) was often used metaphorically in ancient Greek literature to describe the consequences of one’s actions, much like the biblical phrase “you reap what you sow.”
- In ancient Greek culture, the concept of harvest time was not only about gathering crops but also a time for festivals, reflection, and thanksgiving, paralleling spiritual themes in the Bible.
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