Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical literature, the term "leafy" is often associated with trees and plants, symbolizing life, prosperity, and sometimes judgment. The imagery of leaves is used throughout the Bible to convey various spiritual truths and lessons.
Symbol of Prosperity and BlessingThe lushness of leaves is frequently used to symbolize prosperity and divine blessing. In
Psalm 1:3, the righteous man is compared to "a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does." Here, the "leaf" represents vitality and the continuous blessing of God upon those who delight in His law.
Similarly, in
Jeremiah 17:8, the person who trusts in the Lord is likened to "a tree planted by the waters, sending out its roots toward the stream. It does not fear when the heat comes, and its leaves are always green." The evergreen nature of the leaves signifies enduring faith and the sustenance provided by God.
Symbol of Judgment and WarningConversely, the absence or withering of leaves can symbolize judgment or spiritual barrenness. In
Isaiah 34:4, a prophetic vision of judgment is described: "All the stars of heaven will be dissolved. The sky will be rolled up like a scroll, and all their stars will fall like withered leaves from the vine, like foliage from the fig tree." The withering leaves here depict the transience and ultimate downfall of those under divine judgment.
In the New Testament, Jesus uses the imagery of a fig tree to convey a message of judgment. In
Mark 11:13-14, Jesus approaches a fig tree in leaf, expecting to find fruit. Finding none, He curses the tree, and it withers. This act serves as a symbolic warning against fruitlessness and hypocrisy among those who outwardly appear righteous but lack true spiritual fruit.
Symbol of Shelter and ProtectionLeaves also serve as a symbol of shelter and protection. In the account of Jonah, God provides a leafy plant to give Jonah shade and comfort (
Jonah 4:6). This act of provision highlights God's compassion and care, even when Jonah is in a state of discontent.
Eschatological ImageryIn eschatological contexts, leafy imagery is used to describe the restoration and renewal of creation.
Ezekiel 47:12 speaks of trees along the riverbanks in the new temple vision: "Their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. Each month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing." This vision points to the ultimate healing and sustenance that will come from God in the new creation.
ConclusionThroughout Scripture, the imagery of leaves and leafy plants serves as a powerful metaphor for spiritual truths, illustrating themes of prosperity, judgment, protection, and eschatological hope. The use of "leafy" in the Bible underscores the importance of spiritual vitality and the consequences of spiritual barrenness.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
superl) Full of leaves; abounding in leaves; as, the leafy forest.
2. (superl) Consisting of leaves.
Greek
4742a. stibas -- a bed of leaves or rushes... Word Origin from steibo (to tread under foot) Definition a bed of leaves or rushes
NASB Word Usage
leafy branches (1). 4742, 4742a. stibas. 4742b .
...Strong's Hebrew
5687. aboth -- (having) interwoven (foliage),leafy... 5686, 5687. aboth or aboth. 5688 . (having) interwoven (foliage),
leafy.
Transliteration: aboth or aboth Phonetic Spelling: (aw-both') Short Definition:
...Library
The Second Day in Passion-Week - the Barren Fig-Tree - the...
... And the judgment, symbolically spoken in the Parable, must be symbolically executed
in thisleafy fig-tree, barren when searched for fruit by the Master....
Reverie.
... be. List'ning to the merry songsters In the near-byleafy world; Such
sweet music seems to bear me Nearer to the gates of gold....
The Feast of Tabernacles.
... The flat house-tops of the city were covered with theseleafy bowers, which became
the temporary home of the family; while the open places and surrounding...
The Preaching of Nature.
... "Each tree she kindles by her touch bursts intoleafy flames, And, like
the sacred desert bush, God's presence there proclaims....
The Consecration of Joy
... that is branches with fruit on them, if the tree bore fruit, were to be taken: palms,
'thick trees,' that is thick foliaged, which could giveleafy shade, and...
On Easter
... forth. Its foliage [2116] having been torn off in the wintry season, the
verdant grove now renews itsleafy shelter. Mingled together...
A Strain of the Judgment of the Lord.
... and will ope. Waters renewed, even at their fountainheads? And cut from waving grass
theleafy flowers? 10 Forthwith the breezes of celestial light....
Continued.
... spreads, and away in the forests of Edom the wild creatures in their terror slip
their calves, and the oaks are scathed and stripped of theirleafy honours....
Let These Dealers in Crowns Then Recognize in the Meantime the...
... their beginnings as well as causes, and kinds, and rites, that you find all that
is charming in the flower, all that is beautiful in theleafy branch, and...
Hymn Before Meat
... On the twain Thou didst bestowLeafy bowers in pleasaunce fair: Where spring's scents
for aye did blow, And four stately streams did flow O'er meads pied with...
Thesaurus
Leafy (22 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (superl) Full of leaves; abounding in leaves; as, the
leafy forest.
... Multi-Version Concordance
Leafy (22 Occurrences).
...Ashe'rim (19 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). 1 Kings 14:23 For they also built them high places, and pillars, and
Asherim, on every high hill, and under everyleafy tree; (See RSV)....
Leaf (20 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Job 15:32 It shall be accomplished
before his time, and his branch shall not beleafy. (Root in JPS BBE)....
Hilltops (10 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). 2 Kings 16:4 And he sacrificed and offered in the high places,
and on the hills, and under everyleafy tree. (See NIV)....
League (20 Occurrences)
Outer (98 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Mark 11:8 Then many spread their outer garments to carpet the road, and others
leafy branches which they had cut down in the fields; (WEY)....
Lovely (19 Occurrences)
... of jewels. (See NAS). Song of Songs 1:16 Behold, thou art fair, my beloved,
yea, pleasant; also our couch isleafy. (See RSV). Song...
Fields (199 Occurrences)
... Mark 11:8 Then many spread their outer garments to carpet the road, and othersleafy
branches which they had cut down in the fields; (WEY ASV BBE NAS RSV NIV)....
Thick (129 Occurrences)
... In Sirach 14:18 "thick tree" represents dendron dasu, "leafy tree." See MYRTLE.
TREES, THICK. See THICK TREES. Multi-Version Concordance Thick (129 Occurrences)...
Trees (179 Occurrences)
... In Sirach 14:18 "thick tree" represents dendron dasu, "leafy tree." See MYRTLE.
TREES, GOODLY. See GOODLY TREES. TREES, SHADY. sha'-di. See LOTUS TREES....
Resources
What is metaethics? | GotQuestions.orgIs the paleo diet biblical? | GotQuestions.orgIs it wrong to be frustrated with God? | GotQuestions.orgLeafy: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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