Topical Encyclopedia
Introduction:Figs are one of the most frequently mentioned fruits in the Bible, symbolizing prosperity, peace, and divine judgment. The fig tree, its fruit, and its leaves hold significant cultural, economic, and spiritual importance throughout biblical narratives.
Biblical References:1.
Creation and Early Mentions: The fig tree is first mentioned in the context of the Garden of Eden. After Adam and Eve ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they realized their nakedness and sewed fig leaves together to make loincloths (
Genesis 3:7). This early mention highlights the fig tree's presence from the beginning of human history.
2.
Symbol of Prosperity and Peace: Figs are often associated with abundance and peace. In the description of the Promised Land, it is noted as "a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey" (
Deuteronomy 8:8). The presence of fig trees is a sign of divine blessing and prosperity.
3.
Judgment and Prophecy: The fig tree is also used as a symbol of judgment. In
Jeremiah 8:13 , God declares, "I will take away their harvest, declares the LORD. There will be no grapes on the vine, no figs on the tree, and even the leaves will wither. Whatever I have given them will be lost to them." This passage illustrates the removal of blessings as a form of divine judgment.
4.
Jesus and the Fig Tree: In the New Testament, Jesus uses the fig tree in His teachings and actions. In
Matthew 21:18-19 , Jesus curses a barren fig tree, causing it to wither. This act serves as a powerful metaphor for spiritual fruitlessness and the consequences of failing to live up to God's expectations.
5.
Parables and Teachings: Jesus also uses the fig tree in parables to convey spiritual truths. In
Luke 13:6-9 , He tells the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree, where a landowner seeks fruit from a fig tree but finds none. The gardener pleads for more time to cultivate it, symbolizing God's patience and the opportunity for repentance.
6.
Signs of the End Times: The fig tree is used as a sign of the times in eschatological teachings. In
Matthew 24:32-33 , Jesus says, "Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its branches become tender and sprout leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you will know that He is near, right at the door." The fig tree here serves as an indicator of the approaching fulfillment of prophetic events.
Cultural and Economic Significance:In biblical times, figs were a staple food and a valuable commodity. They were eaten fresh or dried and were often used in cakes and other preparations (
1 Samuel 25:18). The fig tree's ability to produce fruit multiple times a year made it a reliable source of sustenance.
Spiritual Lessons:The fig tree and its fruit are rich in spiritual symbolism. They remind believers of the importance of bearing spiritual fruit, the consequences of spiritual barrenness, and the hope of restoration and blessing through repentance and faithfulness to God.
Greek
967. Bethphage -- "house of unripefigs," Bethphage, a village on...... "house of unripe
figs," Bethphage, a village on the Mt.
... Word Origin of Aramaic origin
Definition "house of unripe
figs," Bethphage, a village on the Mt.
...4808. suke -- a fig tree
... The fig tree bears bountifulfigs, ripening principally in the month of
August. ["Earlyfigs" ripen in June -- and a later (second...
3653. olunthos -- an unripe fig
... the spring. Word Origin of uncertain origin Definition an unripe fig NASB
Word Usage unripefigs (1). an unripe fig. Of uncertain...
4811. sukophanteo -- to accuse falsely
... From a compound of sukon and a derivative of phaino; to be a fig-informer (reporter
of the law forbidding the exportation offigs from Greece), "sycophant", ie...
4810. sukon -- a fig
... Word Origin a prim. word Definition a fig NASB Word Usagefigs (4). fig. Apparently
a primary word; a fig -- fig. (suka) -- 3 Occurrences....
Strong's Hebrew
1690. debelah -- a lump (of pressedfigs), a pressed (fig) cake... a lump (of pressed
figs), a pressed (fig) cake. Transliteration: debelah Phonetic
Spelling: (deb-ay-law') Short Definition: cake.
... cake lump of
figs.
...1103. balas -- to gatherfigs
... 1102, 1103. balas. 1104 . to gatherfigs. Transliteration: balas Phonetic
Spelling: (baw-las') Short Definition:figs. Word Origin...
8384. teenah -- fig tree
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition fig tree NASB Word Usage fig (1),
fig tree (17), fig trees (6),figs (14),figs on the fig tree (1)....
6291. paggah -- an early fig
... 6290, 6291. paggah. 6292 . an early fig. Transliteration: paggah Phonetic
Spelling: (pag) Short Definition:figs. Word Origin from...
Library
Of the Boys who when Bringing to a Sick Man SomeFigs, Died in the...
... Prolegomena. Chapter XL. Of the boys who when bringing to a sick man somefigs,
died in the desert from hunger, without having tasted them....
The Figtree Hath Put Forth Her GreenFigs, and the Flowering vines...
... CHAPTER II. 13. The figtree hath put forth her greenfigs, and the flowering
vines give a good smell. Arise my love, my fair one, come....
Bethany. Beth-Hene.
... R. Eleazar saith, Until the last ceases in Gush Chalab" (in the tribe of Asher).
"They eat dryfigs, until greenfigs cease in Beth-hene....
The Release of Hope. (xxiv, xxix. )
... Once more the Word of the Lord starts to him from a vision, this time of two baskets,
one of good the other of badfigs, which the Lord, he says, caused me to...
The Malignity of the Devil as an Imitator in all Things; Two Kinds...
... For we find in the Sacred Writings that there are two kinds of fig-trees and vines,
"the goodfigs, very good; and the evil, very evil;" [2792] "wine that...
The Barren Fig-Tree
... afar off having leaves, He came, if haply He might find anything thereon: and when
He came to it, He found nothing but leaves; for it was not the season offigs...
The Meaning of the Name Stromata or Miscellanies.
... Just so our Stromata, according to the husbandman of the comic poet Timocles, produce
"figs, olives, driedfigs, honey, as from an all-fruitful field;" on...
Epistle xxxix. To Eulogius, Patriarch of Alexandria.
... For, as to what you have said about the fig-tree, Augustine speaks aptly in the
same sense; for, when the evangelist subjoined, For the time offigs was not...
A Doomed People
... afar off having leaves, He came, if haply He might find anything thereon: and when
He came to it, He found nothing but leaves; for the time offigs was not yet...
The Fig-Tree.
... It was now only the Passover season (the month of April); summer"the time for ripe
figs"was yet distant; and as it is one of the peculiarities of the tree...
Thesaurus
Figs (27 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Figs (27 Occurrences). Matthew 7:16 By their fruits you
will know them. Do you gather grapes from thorns, or
figs from thistles?
...Sycamore-figs (1 Occurrence)
Sycamore-figs. Sycamore-fig, Sycamore-figs. Sycamores . Multi-Version
Concordance Sycamore-figs (1 Occurrence). Psalms...
Figtree
... fig'-tre (te'enah, plural te'enim, specially "figs"; paggim, "greenfigs" only in
Songs 2:13; suke, "fig-tree," sukon, "fig"): 1. Fig-Trees in the Old Testament...
Badness (5 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 24:2 One basket had very goodfigs, like thefigs first ripe; and the other
basket had very badfigs, which could not be eaten for badness. (DBY YLT)....
Rottenness (9 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 24:2 One basket had very goodfigs, like thefigs that are first-ripe;
and the other basket had very badfigs, which could not be eaten, they were so...
Fig-tree (33 Occurrences)
... fig'-tre (te'enah, plural te'enim, specially "figs"; paggim, "greenfigs" only in
Songs 2:13; suke, "fig-tree," sukon, "fig"): 1. Fig-Trees in the Old Testament...
Naughty (3 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Naughtyfigs. (Jeremiah 24:2). "The badfigs may
have been such either from having decayed, and thus been...
Bunch (6 Occurrences)
... Bunch (6 Occurrences). Matthew 7:16 By their fruits ye shall know them. Do men gather
a bunch of grapes from thorns, or from thistlesfigs? (DBY)....
First-ripe (7 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 24:2 One basket had very goodfigs, like thefigs that are first-ripe;
and the other basket had very badfigs, which could not be eaten, they were so...
Plaster (13 Occurrences)
... PLASTER (2). plas'-ter (marach): Only used in Isaiah 38:21 of the application
of the cake offigs to the boil from which Hezekiah suffered....
Resources
Why did Jesus curse the fig tree? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that you will know them by their fruit in Matthew 7:16? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of Egypt in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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