Concise Bible Dictionary:
A man sowing seeds in Israel.
Besides the common reference to agriculture (for which see SEASONS), sowing is used symbolically for spreading the gospel, as in the parable of the Sower, of which the Lord graciously gave His own explanation. When He came to Israel He found no fruit, and He became the Sower, and sowed the good seed, which fell upon different descriptions of ground, with varied results, as the Lord explains. Notwithstanding the influence of Satan to hinder any seed taking root, some fell upon good ground (not good by nature, but prepared by God), and fruit was the result (Matt. 13:3-43). Whenever the gospel is preached, the seed is being sown, and doubtless falls upon different sorts of ground as in the parable. Blessed are they that sow beside all waters: God’s servant will reap if he does not faint.
Sowing is also the beautiful figure used as to placing the body in the ground. For the Christian it is sown a natural body, in corruption, dishonor, and weakness; but will be raised a spiritual body, in incorruption, in glory, and in power (1 Cor. 15:36-44).
Strong’s Dictionary of Greek Words:
Meaning:
apparently a primary word; a hog ("swine")