Topical Encyclopedia
Withering, in a biblical context, often symbolizes spiritual decay, judgment, or the consequences of sin. The imagery of withering is used throughout Scripture to convey the fragility of life, the effects of disobedience, and the power of God over creation.
Old Testament ReferencesIn the Old Testament, withering is frequently associated with God's judgment and the consequences of turning away from Him. For instance, in
Isaiah 40:7-8 , it is written: "The grass withers, the flowers fall when the breath of the LORD blows on them; indeed, the people are grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever." This passage contrasts the temporary nature of human life and achievements with the eternal nature of God's word.
The Psalms also use the imagery of withering to describe the fate of the wicked.
Psalm 1:3-4 contrasts the righteous, who are "like a tree planted by streams of water," with the wicked, who "are like chaff that the wind blows away." The withering of the wicked signifies their lack of stability and ultimate destruction.
New Testament ReferencesIn the New Testament, Jesus uses the concept of withering to illustrate spiritual truths. In the parable of the sower, found in
Matthew 13:6 , Jesus describes seeds that fall on rocky ground: "But when the sun rose, the seedlings were scorched, and they withered because they had no root." This represents those who initially receive the word with joy but fall away when trouble or persecution arises due to their lack of deep roots in faith.
Another significant instance is the cursing of the fig tree in
Matthew 21:19 : "Seeing a lone fig tree by the road, He went up to it and found nothing on it except leaves. 'May you never bear fruit again!' He said. And immediately the tree withered." This act serves as a powerful symbol of judgment against unfruitfulness and hypocrisy, particularly in the context of Israel's spiritual state at the time.
Spiritual ImplicationsWithering serves as a metaphor for spiritual barrenness and the consequences of living apart from God's will. It is a reminder of the importance of remaining rooted in faith and obedience to God. The imagery calls believers to examine their lives, ensuring they are producing spiritual fruit and not merely outward appearances of righteousness.
The Bible consistently uses the concept of withering to highlight the transient nature of life and the importance of aligning oneself with God's eternal purposes. It serves as a warning against complacency and a call to spiritual vitality through a relationship with God.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Wither.
2. (a.) Tending to wither; causing to shrink or fade.
Library
TheWithering Work of the Spirit
... TheWithering Work of the Spirit. A Sermon (No.999).... Thewithering before the sowing
was very marvellously fulfilled in the preaching of John the Baptist....
September the Seventeenth the Never-Withering Leaf
... SEPTEMBER The Seventeenth THE NEVER-WITHERING LEAF. JEREMIAH xvii.5-11.
Let me look at "the blessed man" in the interpreting symbol...
Of theWithering of the Fig-Tree, and of the Question as to the...
... Chapter LXVIII."Of theWithering of the Fig-Tree, and of the Question as to the
Absence of Any Contradiction Between Matthew and the Other Evangelists in the...
The True Branches of the True vine
... There is, first, the fruitfulness of union; second, thewithering and destruction
of separation; third, the satisfaction of desire which comes from abiding in...
Withered Branches
... he can be cast forth. There is such a thing as not abiding in Christ, which
leads towithering up and burning. There is such a thing...
Psalm LIV.
... your life, shall have appeared, then ye also with Him shall appear in glory." [1951]
When these men shall be flourishing, then shall be those Ziphiteswithering...
On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xxi. 19, Where Jesus Dried up...
... 2. Accordingly, when the disciples marvelled at thewithering of the tree, He set
forth to them the value of faith, and said to them, "If ye have faith, and...
The Withered Fig Tree
... Thewithering of a tree has been the quickening of many a soul; and if it had not
been so, it was no loss to any that a tree should wither when it had proved...
The vine and the Branches.
... the processes of grafting we can at any rate understand that no mere tying of a
branch to a tree, bark to bark, would effect anything save thewithering of the...
"And we all do Fade as a Leaf, and Our Iniquities, Like the Wind...
... of all spirits and people, and then did our iniquities raise the storm of thy
indignation, and that, like a whirlwind, hath blown thewithering leaves off the...
Thesaurus
Withering (2 Occurrences)...Withering (2 Occurrences). Mark 9:18 and wheresoever it seizes him it tears him,
and he foams and gnashes his teeth, and he is
withering away.
...Never-withering (1 Occurrence)
Never-withering. Neverthless, Never-withering. New . Multi-Version
Concordance Never-withering (1 Occurrence). 1 Peter...
Withers (20 Occurrences)
Withereth (13 Occurrences)
Neverthless (1 Occurrence)
Gnashes (4 Occurrences)
... Gnashes (4 Occurrences). Mark 9:18 and wheresoever it seizes him it tears him,
and he foams and gnashes his teeth, and he iswithering away....
Wreath (21 Occurrences)
... (WEY NAS RSV). 1 Peter 5:4 And then, when the chief Shepherd appears, you
will receive the never-withering wreath of glory. (WEY)....
Faint (76 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel uses it allegorically as describing thewithering of the trees for
grief at the death of the Assyrian kings (Ezekiel 31:15)....
Tears (58 Occurrences)
... (WEB RSV). Mark 9:18 and wheresoever it seizes him it tears him, and he
foams and gnashes his teeth, and he iswithering away. And...
Pomegranate (11 Occurrences)
... It belongs to the myrtle family of trees. Thewithering of the pomegranate
tree is mentioned among the judgments of God (Joel 1:12)....
Resources
What does it mean to be a root out of dry ground (Isaiah 53:2)? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did Jesus curse the fig tree? | GotQuestions.orgWhy are there times in my life when finding God is so difficult? | GotQuestions.orgWithering: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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