985. blastanó
Lexical Summary
blastanó: To sprout, to bud, to produce, to grow

Original Word: βλαστάνω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: blastanó
Pronunciation: blas-tan'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (blas-tan'-o)
KJV: bring forth, bud, spring (up)
NASB: budded, produced, sprouted, sprouts
Word Origin: [from blastos (a sprout)]

1. to germinate
2. (by implication) to yield fruit

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
bring forth, bud, spring up.

From blastos (a sprout); to germinate; by implication, to yield fruit -- bring forth, bud, spring (up).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from a prim. root blast-
Definition
to sprout, produce
NASB Translation
budded (1), produced (1), sprouted (1), sprouts (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 985: βλαστάνω

βλαστάνω, 3 person singular present subjunctive βλαστᾷ from the form βλαστάω, Mark 4:27 L T Tr WH (cf. Buttmann, 55 (48); (Ecclesiastes 2:6; Hermas, sim. 4, 1f [ET])); 1 aorist ἐβλάστησα (cf. Winers Grammar, 84 (80); (Buttmann, the passage cited));

1. intransitively, to sprout, bud, put forth leaves: Mark 4:27; Matthew 13:26; Hebrews 9:4; (Numbers 17:8; Joel 2:22, etc.; in Greek writings from Pindar down).

2. in later Greek writings transitively, to produce: τόν καρπόν, James 5:18. (Genesis 1:11, etc.)

Topical Lexicon
Overview of Biblical Usage

The verb rendered “sprout,” “bud,” or “bring forth” is employed four times in the New Testament. Each occurrence draws on the observable miracle of plant life to illuminate God’s sovereign activity—whether in the unfolding of His kingdom, the authentication of His servants, or the granting of fruitfulness in answer to prayer.

Kingdom Growth in the Teaching of Jesus

Matthew 13:26 and Mark 4:27 appear within parables of seed and soil. In Matthew 13 the sprouting of wheat uncovers the simultaneous appearance of weeds, stressing that authentic and counterfeit growth can proceed side-by-side until the harvest. In Mark 4 Jesus highlights the farmer’s ignorance of the mechanics of growth: “the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how.” The kingdom’s advance is therefore certain but not finally attributable to human ingenuity. The term underscores quiet, God-directed development from hidden beginnings to visible maturity, encouraging believers to sow faithfully and trust the Lord of the harvest for results.

Divine Authentication of Priesthood

Hebrews 9:4 recalls the contents of the Ark: “Aaron’s staff that had budded.” The budding of a staff—dead wood quickened to life—validated Aaron’s priestly call during Israel’s wilderness rebellion (Numbers 17). By choosing this verb the writer to the Hebrews connects that ancient miracle with the tabernacle typology fulfilled in Christ’s superior priesthood. Just as the lifeless rod sprang forth, so the risen Lord is vindicated as the living Mediator for His people. The budding staff thus serves as a perpetual witness to God’s right to appoint His servants and to give life where none exists.

Fruitfulness Granted through Prayerful Dependence

James 5:18 recounts Elijah’s intercession: “Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth yielded its crops.” The earth’s “sprouting” answers the prophet’s prayers and demonstrates that physical and spiritual renewal flow from God’s initiative. James employs the image to exhort the church to persistent prayer, confident that the God who once brought life from parched soil is still able to bring revival and tangible blessing.

Historical and Theological Significance

1. Creation Motif: Each occurrence alludes to Genesis imagery where the earth first “brought forth” vegetation. The verb echoes God’s creational power now operative in redemption history.
2. Resurrection Pattern: A dead staff that buds, a buried seed that rises—these anticipate bodily resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:36-38). The word invites meditation on life issuing from apparent death.
3. Covenant Assurance: The Ark’s contents, including the budding rod, attest to God’s faithfulness. The same God who demonstrated His choice of Aaron sustains the new covenant community.
4. Eschatological Expectation: Parabolic usage looks ahead to a final harvest, reminding believers that present growth is preliminary; ultimate fruition awaits Christ’s return.

Ministry Implications

• Patience in Gospel Work: Ministers sow truth, but only God can make it sprout. Quiet seasons are not barren if seed is buried.
• Discernment of Authentic Authority: Churches recognize leaders whom God has made “bud” with evident spiritual life, avoiding mere human appointment.
• Confidence in Prayer: Corporate and personal intercession can expect God to transform “dry ground” situations into fertile fields.
• Hope amid Apparent Death: Whether in personal trials or congregational decline, the budding rod and sprouting seed testify that God specializes in unexpected life.

Taken together, the four New Testament uses of this term weave a tapestry of growth, validation, and fruitfulness, all grounded in the unchanging character of God who brings life from death and harvest from seed sown in faith.

Forms and Transliterations
βεβλάστηκε βλαστα βλαστᾷ βλαστάνη βλαστήσαι βλαστησασα βλαστήσασα βλαστησάτω βλαστήσατω βλαστήσει βλαστώντα εβλάστησε εβλαστησεν εβλάστησεν ἐβλάστησεν blasta blastā̂i blastesasa blastēsasa blastḗsasa eblastesen eblastēsen eblástesen eblástēsen
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Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 13:26 V-AIA-3S
GRK: ὅτε δὲ ἐβλάστησεν ὁ χόρτος
NAS: the wheat sprouted and bore
KJV: the blade was sprung up, and
INT: when moreover sprouted the plants

Mark 4:27 V-PSA-3S
GRK: ὁ σπόρος βλαστᾷ καὶ μηκύνηται
NAS: and the seed sprouts and grows--
KJV: the seed should spring and
INT: the seed should sprout and grow

Hebrews 9:4 V-APA-NFS
GRK: Ἀαρὼν ἡ βλαστήσασα καὶ αἱ
NAS: rod which budded, and the tables
KJV: rod that budded, and
INT: of Aaron having budded and the

James 5:18 V-AIA-3S
GRK: ἡ γῆ ἐβλάστησεν τὸν καρπὸν
NAS: rain and the earth produced its fruit.
KJV: and the earth brought forth her fruit.
INT: the earth caused to sprout the fruit

Strong's Greek 985
4 Occurrences


βλαστᾷ — 1 Occ.
βλαστήσασα — 1 Occ.
ἐβλάστησεν — 2 Occ.

984
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