Lexical Summary hapalos: Soft, tender Original Word: ἁπαλός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance tender. Of uncertain derivation; soft -- tender. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain origin Definition tender NASB Translation tender (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 527: ἁπαλόςἁπαλός, ἁπαλή, ἁπαλόν, tender: of the branch of a tree, when full of sap, Matthew 24:32; Mark 13:28. (From Homer down.) Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek 527 appears twice in the New Testament and describes the fresh, soft condition of young plant growth. Both occurrences occur in the Parable of the Fig Tree, where Jesus uses seasonal change to illustrate the certainty and nearness of foretold events. Occurrences in Scripture • Matthew 24:32 – “Learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its branches become tender and sprout leaves, you know that summer is near.” Agricultural and Cultural Background In the Mediterranean climate of ancient Israel, the fig tree is among the first to send out pliant, sap-filled shoots once the winter rains subside. Farmers recognized these supple shoots as an infallible signal that the dry, harvest-friendly season was imminent. Jesus draws upon a familiar, everyday observation: the softening of a branch that had been stiff and seemingly lifeless through winter now becomes a living indicator that a new period has arrived. Listeners would have grasped the lesson instantly; nothing mystical, merely the plain, observable faithfulness of God’s natural order. Theological Significance in Prophecy 1. Reliability of Christ’s Words Just as the soft branch reliably heralds summer, the appearance of the prophetic signs Christ lists in Matthew 24 and Mark 13 guarantees the approach of His climactic intervention in history. The point is not date-setting but trust. The budding fig tree stands as a divine pledge that “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away” (Matthew 24:35). 2. Nearness and Imminence The softened branch signals that change is not distant; summer is “near, right at the door” (Matthew 24:33). Likewise, the generation witnessing the foretold signs can be certain that fulfillment follows swiftly. The tenderness motif communicates imminence without specifying the hour, preserving both watchfulness and humility. 3. Continuity of Revelation Israel is often pictured as a fig tree (Jeremiah 24:1–10; Hosea 9:10). While Jesus does not explicitly invoke national symbolism here, the image naturally evokes the prophetic landscape of the Old Testament. The soft branch bridges earlier revelation with Christ’s eschatological discourse, underscoring the unity of Scripture. Spiritual Applications for the Believer • Discernment: Believers are called to read the “signs of the times” with the same clarity that farmers read the tender fig shoot. An informed, Scripture-shaped worldview recognizes God’s hand in unfolding events. Ministry and Pastoral Implications 1. Preaching: The fig tree’s tender branch offers a vivid sermon illustration—simple, memorable, rooted in daily life, and laden with meaning. Conclusion Strong’s Greek 527 captures the delicate softness of new growth—a small but powerful emblem of God’s appointed times. Through the tender fig branch, Jesus assures His followers that the unfolding of redemption is as certain as the change of seasons, inviting every generation to steadfast trust, active readiness, and unwavering hope. Forms and Transliterations απαλή απαλόν απαλος απαλός ἁπαλὸς απαλότητα απαλότητος απαλούς απαλυνεί απαλωθή απαλώτερα απαναίνου απημαυρώθησαν απηναισχύντησας απηνήνατο ηπαλύνθη ηπαλύνθησαν apalos hapalos hapalòsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 24:32 Adj-NMSGRK: αὐτῆς γένηται ἁπαλὸς καὶ τὰ NAS: become tender and puts forth KJV: is yet tender, and putteth forth INT: of it is become tender and the Mark 13:28 Adj-NMS |
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