Introduction

Understanding Greek words is crucial in Biblical studies as they often carry meanings that go beyond their English translations. The Greek word θερίζω (therizó) is particularly significant in Biblical texts because it embodies the agricultural imagery commonly used to convey spiritual lessons. It frequently appears in the New Testament, symbolizing both literal and metaphorical harvests, such as spiritual growth, judgment, and the reaping of eternal rewards. Knowing the nuances of θερίζω enriches our understanding of key biblical teachings and the cultural context of ancient Greece.

Key Information

• The Greek Word: θερίζω (therizó), [the-REE-zoh]
• Etymology: Derived from the root word θερός (theros), meaning “summer” or “harvest.”
• Part of Speech: Verb
• Grammatical Details: Present active indicative form, primarily used in contexts of farming and harvesting.
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.

Primary Meanings

• To reap – The primary meaning involves the literal act of harvesting crops.
• To harvest – Used metaphorically in the New Testament to refer to gathering spiritual fruit or divine judgment.
• To gather – Conveys the idea of collecting what has been sown, whether good or bad.
• To mow – Less frequently used meaning, emphasizing the cutting down or gathering of crops.

Similar Words: θερίζω is similar to σπείρω (speiró, [SPY-roh]), meaning “to sow,” which represents the beginning of agricultural work. While σπείρω involves planting seeds, θερίζω focuses on the completion of the agricultural cycle by harvesting the mature crop. Another related term is ἀμάω (amao, [ah-MAH-oh]), which means “to gather” or “to collect,” but without the specific nuance of cutting or reaping.

Further Insights: θερίζω is a verb and follows standard Greek verb conjugation patterns. Below is a simplified table chart showing its present, future, and aorist forms:

Click here for a beginners guide to reading Greek: Understanding Greek Grammar: A Beginner’s Guide.

Lexicon Insights

• BDAG: Describes θερίζω as “to reap” or “to harvest,” often used in a figurative sense to mean reaping what one has sown, either in terms of moral consequences or divine judgment.
• Thayers: Notes that θερίζω means “to reap” or “to harvest,” especially in agricultural contexts. It emphasizes the spiritual application in the New Testament, where reaping is metaphorically applied to gathering believers or bringing judgment.
• Vines: Explains θερίζω as “to reap” or “to gather,” highlighting its use in parables where it signifies the gathering of spiritual fruit or the end-time harvest of souls.
• LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones): Provides a broader range of meanings for θερίζω, from “to reap” and “to mow” in the agricultural sense, to metaphorical uses like “to receive consequences” or “to gain.”
• Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Lists θερίζω as “to reap” or “to harvest,” underscoring both the literal and metaphorical meanings in scripture.

Related Scripture References

• Matthew 6:26 – “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap [θερίζουσιν] nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?”
• John 4:36 – “Already he who reaps [θερίζων] is receiving wages and is gathering fruit for life eternal; so that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.”
• Galatians 6:7 – “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap [θερίσει].”
• Revelation 14:15 – “And another angel came out of the temple, crying out with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, ‘Put in your sickle and reap [θέρισον], for the hour to reap has come, because the harvest of the earth is ripe.'”

Classical Usage

Summary of θερίζω (G2325)

θερίζω (therizó) is a Greek verb that means “to reap,” “to harvest,” “to gather,” or “to mow.” It is primarily associated with agricultural activities and appears in both literal and metaphorical contexts in the New Testament. In its spiritual sense, it signifies the gathering of spiritual fruits or the final judgment. The word reflects the agrarian society of ancient Greece and the Bible, where reaping was not only a vital part of daily life but also a rich metaphor for spiritual truths. By understanding θερίζω, readers can appreciate the depth of Biblical teachings on sowing and reaping, actions, and consequences.

Did You Know?

Did you know? In the Bible, the concept of reaping is not only about harvesting crops but also about the spiritual principle of sowing and reaping. This idea suggests that our actions, whether good or bad, will eventually bear fruit, either as blessings or consequences. Jesus often used agricultural metaphors like θερίζω to teach about spiritual truths, making His message relatable to a predominantly agrarian audience in ancient Judea.