Question 1

What does "Seed" mean in the King James Bible?

Accepted Answer

In the KJV, "Seed" means "something you plant." The promise-bearing lineage. 'Her seed' in Genesis 3:15 was the first prophecy of Christ -- the offspring who would crush the serpent's head. Paul argued in Galatians that 'seed' was singular, pointing to Christ. The entire Old Testament narrative tracked the seed from Adam through Abraham through David to Jesus. One unbroken line carrying the promise.

Question 2

Why did the word "Seed" disappear from modern English?

Accepted Answer

Hebrew zera ('offspring/descendants/the living continuation of a person through their children/the line through which God's promise travels') was botanicalized into 'what you plant in dirt.' The living, generational, promissory dimension was lost. The word was at peak usage around 1611 and declined by still used but botanical-ized (~1800).

Question 3

What modern word replaced "Seed"?

Accepted Answer

"Seed" was replaced by: "offspring" (though this biological; zera was the chosen line through which god's covenant promise traveled across generations); "descendants" (though this genealogical; seed was specifically the promise-bearing line -- not all descendants but the one through whom blessing came); "children" (though this familial; seed was theological -- the line that carried god's plan from abraham to christ).

What Does “Seed” Mean in the Bible?

What Was Lost

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