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Understanding Biblical Symbolism


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BIBLE VERSES

GENESIS 1:11

"And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so."

In biblical symbolism, this verse describes the first emergence of spiritual growth within the lower nature.

It is the moment when the “earth” — the unformed lower self (carnal mind) — becomes responsive to the Higher and begins to produce living qualities.

Everything in this verse symbolizes inner development:
• Grass — the earliest stirrings of spiritual sensitivity
• Herb yielding seed — qualities that now contain the power of self‑propagation
• Fruit tree yielding fruit — mature virtues capable of nourishing the whole soul
• Seed in itself — the Divine pattern implanted within each quality

This is the beginning of regeneration.

“Let the earth bring forth…” — the lower nature awakened

The “earth” is the lower (carnal) mind and emotional nature.

Up to this point, it has been passive, chaotic, and unresponsive.

Now, under the influence of the Higher:
• the lower nature becomes fertile
• the qualities begin to organize
• the soul starts to produce its first spiritual responses

This is the first sign that the Divine Word has taken root.

“Grass” — the first tender movements of spiritual life

Grass symbolizes the initial, delicate impulses toward goodness, clarity, and aspiration.

These are:
- small insights
- fleeting moments of sincerity
- early stirrings of conscience

They are fragile but real — the first evidence of inner awakening.

“Herb yielding seed” — qualities that reproduce themselves

An herb “yielding seed” represents a quality that has become stable enough to generate more of its own kind.

This is when:
- patience produces more patience
- sincerity deepens into greater sincerity
- clarity gives rise to further clarity

The soul begins to grow from within.

“Fruit tree yielding fruit” — mature spiritual virtues

A fruit tree is a fully developed quality that not only sustains itself but nourishes the entire inner life.

Fruit symbolizes:
- compassion
- wisdom
- purity
- strength
- self‑giving love

These are the higher virtues that feed the soul and support its ascent.

“Whose seed is in itself” — the Divine pattern within every quality

Every true spiritual quality contains its own inner seed, meaning:
- it arises from the Divine
- it carries the pattern of the Higher
- it can perpetuate itself
- it grows according to its own inner law

This is the soul discovering that the Divine Life is already within it.

The Esoteric Message.....
Genesis 1:11 describes the first emergence of spiritual qualities within the lower nature: tender impulses (“grass”), stable virtues (“herbs yielding seed”), and mature powers (“fruit trees”), each containing the Divine seed that allows the soul to grow from within.

 

See Also

BIBLE VERSES

GENESIS 1:1

GENESIS 1:11

GENESIS 1:15
GENESIS 1:16

GENESIS 6:19