The Greek verb blastanō means to sprout, bud, or germinate — the biological process of new life emerging from seed. It is used literally for plant growth and metaphorically for the organic emergence of blessing or judgment.
Jesus uses blastanō in the parable of the growing seed (Mark 4:27), where the farmer scatters seed that sprouts and grows 'though he does not know how.' This botanical mystery becomes a parable of the kingdom: God's word produces life by its own inherent power, independent of human management or understanding. James uses blastanō for how the earth 'produces its crops' (James 5:18) after Elijah's prayer, connecting prayer, the land's productivity, and the righteous person. Hebrews 9:4 references Aaron's rod that 'budded' (blastanō) — the supernatural sprouting of dead wood, a type of resurrection and divine validation. New life from apparently dead material is God's signature.