Brief Overview of σπόριμος (Strong’s G4702: sporimos)

Strong’s G4702: An adjective meaning “sown” or “suitable for sowing,” used substantively in the plural form to refer to grain fields or cultivated land. In the New Testament, it appears in the context of Jesus’ teaching about Sabbath observance, highlighting the intersection of daily life and spiritual truth.

U- Unveiling the Word

σπόριμος represents both agricultural reality and spiritual teaching ground in the New Testament. Its primary meaning refers to sown fields or land suitable for sowing, but in the Gospel narratives, it becomes the setting for Jesus’ teaching about the true meaning of Sabbath observance. The early church saw in these grain field encounters a profound lesson about how the Messiah brings proper understanding of God’s law. Today, this word reminds us that everyday settings – like agricultural fields – can become places of divine encounter and teaching, where the Lord reveals the true spirit of His commands over mere legalistic observance.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: σπόριμος, sporimos, SPOR-ee-mos
• Detailed pronunciation: sp (as in speak) + or (as in or) + ee (as in see) + mos (as in moss)
• Part of Speech: Adjective (used substantively in NT)

Etymology:

• Root word σπόρος (sporos) – seed
• -ιμος (-imos) suffix – indicates capability or suitability
• Combined meaning: suitable for sowing/sown

D – Defining Meanings

• Sown (as of fields)
• Suitable for sowing
• Cultivated (of land)
• Grain fields (when used substantively)

For compound words:
The base σπόρος provides the agricultural context, while the -ιμος suffix adds the notion of suitability or current state

Translation Options:

• “Grain fields” – captures substantive usage in NT context
• “Sown fields” – emphasizes the completed action
• “Cultivated land” – broader agricultural context

E – Exploring Similar Words

• χώρα (chōra) [KHO-rah] – country, field in general – See G5561
• ἀγρός (agros) [ag-ROS] – field, countryside – See G68
• σπόρος (sporos) [SPO-ros] – seed, sowing – See G4703

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

For this adjective:

• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Gender: Masculine, Feminine, Neuter
• Declension: Second declension

Examples in substantive use:

• τὰ σπόριμα (the grain fields)
• τῶν σπορίμων (of the grain fields)
• τοῖς σπορίμοις (in/among the grain fields)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its substantive usage in the Gospels. Thayer’s notes its agricultural significance. LSJ documents widespread use in agricultural contexts. Vine’s connects it to Sabbath controversies. Strong’s highlights its derivation from σπόρος. LEH traces Septuagint agricultural vocabulary. Moulton and Milligan note its common usage in agricultural documents.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
Matthew 12:1: “At that time Jesus went through the grain fields [σπόριμος] on the Sabbath. And His disciples were hungry, and began to pluck heads of grain and to eat.”

Additional References:
Mark 2:23, Luke 6:1

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

σπόριμος points us to how the Messiah used ordinary agricultural settings to teach extraordinary spiritual truths. It proclaims the good news that Jesus brings proper understanding of God’s law, showing that it was made for human flourishing, not burden. This word reminds us that our Lord meets us in the ordinary places of life to reveal extraordinary grace.

D – Did You Know?

• The term was commonly used in land lease agreements
• It appears in all three Synoptic Gospels’ accounts of the same Sabbath controversy
• Ancient agricultural writers used it to classify land quality

Strong’s G4702: An adjective meaning “sown” or “suitable for sowing,” used substantively in the plural form to refer to grain fields or cultivated land. In the New Testament, it appears in the context of Jesus’ teaching about Sabbath observance, highlighting the intersection of daily life and spiritual truth.

Part of speech: Adjective

Tags: agriculture, sabbath, grain-fields, farming, Jesus-teaching, law, disciples, controversy, land, cultivation, gospel-narratives, synoptic-gospels, daily-life, Jewish-customs, biblical-agriculture​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​