Topical Encyclopedia
Prunes, known today as dried plums, are not explicitly mentioned in the Bible. However, the process of drying fruits, including plums, was a common practice in ancient times for preservation and storage. The Bible frequently references fruits and agricultural practices, which provides context for understanding the significance of dried fruits like prunes in biblical times.
Agricultural ContextIn the agrarian society of ancient Israel, fruit cultivation was an essential part of daily life and sustenance. The climate of the region, with its long, hot summers, was conducive to growing a variety of fruits, including grapes, figs, and likely plums. The process of drying fruits was a practical method to ensure a stable food supply throughout the year, especially during the winter months when fresh produce was scarce.
Symbolism and UsageWhile prunes themselves are not mentioned, dried fruits in general are often associated with abundance and blessing in the Bible. For instance, in
2 Samuel 16:1-2, we see an example of dried fruits being used as provisions: "When David had gone a little beyond the summit, there was Ziba, the steward of Mephibosheth, waiting to meet him. He had a string of donkeys saddled and loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred cakes of raisins, a hundred cakes of figs, and a skin of wine."
Dried fruits, including prunes, would have been valued for their nutritional content and long shelf life, making them a staple in the diet of ancient peoples. They were likely consumed as snacks, used in cooking, or offered as gifts and provisions.
Spiritual LessonsThe Bible often uses agricultural metaphors to convey spiritual truths. The process of drying fruit can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual endurance and preservation. Just as fruit is dried to retain its value and nutrition over time, believers are called to remain steadfast in their faith, preserving their spiritual vitality through trials and seasons of scarcity.
In
Galatians 5:22-23, the Apostle Paul lists the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. While not directly related to prunes, this passage highlights the importance of spiritual fruitfulness, which can be likened to the enduring quality of dried fruits.
Cultural and Historical InsightsUnderstanding the role of dried fruits in biblical times provides insight into the daily lives of the people and the practical aspects of their faith. The preservation of food was not only a matter of survival but also a reflection of God's provision and care for His people. The ability to store and enjoy fruits like prunes throughout the year would have been seen as a blessing and a testament to the wisdom of God's creation.
In summary, while prunes are not specifically mentioned in the Bible, the practice of drying fruits is well-documented and holds both practical and symbolic significance within the biblical narrative. The enduring nature of dried fruits serves as a reminder of the sustaining power of faith and the blessings of God's provision.
Greek
2508. kathairo -- to cleanse... purifying (making ). See 2513 (). Word Origin from katharos Definition to
cleanse NASB Word Usage
prunes (1). purge. From katharos
...2590. karpos -- fruit
... 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear (2590 ), He takes away; and every branch
that bears fruit, Heprunes it so that it may bear more fruit" ()....
Library
Hear, O God. ...
... reproved. For those habits, when grown, we root out and cast away. Now no
man, though heprunes, wittingly casts away what is good. Or...
How the Meek and the Passionate are to be Admonished.
... For the great husbandman who has the Church in charge waters some shoots that they
may grow, butprunes others when he sees that they grow too much; lest...
St. Ambrose Gives Additional Rules Concerning Repentance, and...
... Shame indeed there is when each makes known his sins, but that shame, as it were,
ploughs his land, removes the ever-recurring brambles,prunes the thorns, and...
Of the Hospitality of Abbot Serenus.
... olives each: after which he produced a basket containing parched vetches which they
call trogalia, [1516] from which we each took five grains, twoprunes and a...
To Baptism must be Referred all Remission of Sins, and the...
... into an eternal immortality, still retains a secret force which furnishes seed for
a wild and bitter olive tree, unless the same tillage of Godprunes it also...
The True vine.
... Every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it. The husbandmanprunes and dresses
the branches in order that they may be more healthy and fruitful....
The Chaff Driven Away
... The tree that is planted in the garden is visited by the husbandman. He digs about
it; he dungs it; he trims it,prunes it, and looks for its fruit....
The Sixth Word from the Cross
... path which He has appointed. Heprunes our desires and ambitions; He humbles
us and makes us meek and acquiescent. By our work we...
Sermon for Septuagesima Sunday
... Now the vine-dresser goes out andprunes the vine, lopping off the wild shoots;
for if he neglected this, and suffered them to remain on the good stem, the...
Author's Introduction,
... The Gospel of Luke is a regular composition, founded on anterior documents.[
1] It is the work of a man who selects,prunes, and combines....
Thesaurus
Prunes (1 Occurrence)... Multi-Version Concordance
Prunes (1 Occurrence).
... Every branch that bears fruit,
he
prunes, that it may bear more fruit. (WEB WEY NAS RSV NIV).
...Prune (2 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) A plum; esp., a dried plum, used in cookery; as, French or Turkishprunes;
Californiaprunes. Multi-Version Concordance Prune (2 Occurrences)....
Pruning (6 Occurrences)
Vinedresser (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One who cultivates,prunes, or cares for,
grapevines; a laborer in a vineyard. Multi-Version Concordance...
Pruned (3 Occurrences)
Bears (62 Occurrences)
... (WEB DBY NAS RSV). John 15:2 Every branch in me that doesn't bear fruit, he takes
away. Every branch that bears fruit, heprunes, that it may bear more fruit....
Branch (60 Occurrences)
... John 15:2 Every branch in me that doesn't bear fruit, he takes away. Every branch
that bears fruit, heprunes, that it may bear more fruit....
Doesn't (300 Occurrences)
... (WEB). John 15:2 Every branch in me that doesn't bear fruit, he takes away. Every
branch that bears fruit, heprunes, that it may bear more fruit. (WEB)....
Fruit (318 Occurrences)
... John 15:2 Every branch in me that doesn't bear fruit, he takes away. Every branch
that bears fruit, heprunes, that it may bear more fruit....
Takes (380 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). John 15:2 Every branch in me that doesn't bear fruit, he takes away.
Every branch that bears fruit, heprunes, that it may bear more fruit....
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