Greek word · G1721

ἔμφυτος

emphytos

implanted/ingrafted

Literally 'planted in' (from en + phuō, 'to grow'). In ordinary Greek it usually means inborn, natural or innate (Herodotus uses it of an innate gift of prophecy). Wisdom of Solomon 12:10 uses it of the Canaanites' 'inborn' wickedness. It can also mean something implanted that has taken root.

Appears once in the Greek New Testament. · Updated October 31, 2026

What it means

ἔμ-φυτος, -ον

(ἐμφύω, to implant), [in LXX: ἔ. ἡ κακία αὐτῶν, Wisdom of Solomon 12:10 * ;]

1. innate (Wisdom of Solomon 12:10).

2. rooted, implanted: James 1:21 (see Mayor, in l).†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of James 1:21

Range of meaning: Literally 'planted in' (from en + phuō, 'to grow'). In ordinary Greek it usually means inborn, natural or innate (Herodotus uses it of an innate gift of prophecy). Wisdom of Solomon 12:10 uses it of the Canaanites' 'inborn' wickedness. It can also mean something implanted that has taken root.
Against the English: KJV/YLT 'engrafted' follow the Latin insitum (via Tyndale, 'grafted'), which brings in grafting, a different gardening image. ESV/WEB 'implanted', BSB/NIV 'planted in you' and NLT 'God has planted in your hearts' fit the context better.
How it drifted: The Vulgate's insitum ('implanted/grafted') became English 'grafted/engrafted'. Today 'grafted' suggests fusing a branch onto a stock, as in Rom 11, which uses a different Greek verb (enkentrizō).
Used elsewhere in the period: Hapax: it occurs only here in the New Testament. Wisdom 12:10; Barnabas 1:2 and 9:9 (the 'implanted gift' of teaching). Later, Justin Martyr (2 Apology 8, 13) speaks of the 'seed of the Logos implanted' in all humanity, a Stoic-influenced idea. 4 Ezra 9:31 has God say 'I sow my law in you, and it shall bring forth fruit in you'.

From the study of Wisdom of Solomon 12:10

Range of meaning: 'Grown into, implanted, innate, natural'. It is related to φύω, 'to grow', and φύσις, 'nature'. The word can describe a quality one is born with or one that has been planted in and taken root.
Against the English: KJV/Brenton 'bred in them', WEB 'inborn', Vulgate naturalis. All capture the idea of something deep-seated. 'Bred' keeps the farming picture.
Used elsewhere in the period: Classical Greek uses it for natural, inborn traits and gifts. Its only New Testament use, James 1:21 ('the implanted word'), has the other side of the range: something planted that takes root. The book of Wisdom freely uses Greek philosophical vocabulary of nature (physis).

Where it appears

James · 1

James 1:21 ἔμφυτον implanted

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and every expression of evil, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save your souls.

Here: Literally 'planted-in': something that has taken root and grown into a person. Here it is the word God has already planted in them (1:18). The paradox is intended: they are to welcome what is already rooted in them.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.