Dictionary of Bible Themes: 4440 fig-tree

4440 fig-tree

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 4000 Creation » 4400 Vegetation and food » 4440 fig-tree

A tree common in the Near East, with soft, sweet fruit which can be eaten fresh or dried. The fruit was an important part of the diet in biblical times and the tree was symbolic of peace and security.

Figs

Figs prized as a sweet, pleasant fruit

Judges 9:10-11 See also Numbers 13:21-23

Figs a significant part of the diet in biblical times

Numbers 20:5 See also Deuteronomy 8:7-9; 1 Samuel 30:11-12; Nehemiah 13:15

Figs given in gifts of food

1 Samuel 25:18 See also 2 Samuel 16:1; 1 Chronicles 12:40

Other uses of figs and fig leaves

2 Kings 20:1-7 See also Genesis 3:6-7; Isaiah 38:21

Judah likened to figs

Jeremiah 24:1-10; Jeremiah 29:15-19

The fig-tree as a symbol of peace and security

1 Kings 4:25 See also 2 Kings 18:28-32 pp Isaiah 36:13-18 Micah 4:1-5 See also Zechariah 3:10

Destruction of fig-trees

By God

Hosea 2:12 See also Psalm 105:33; Amos 4:9

By enemies

Joel 1:6-7 See also Jeremiah 5:17

Descriptions of the fig-tree and its fruit

Early figs

Late figs

Revelation 6:12-13

Failure of the crop

Jeremiah 8:13 See also Joel 1:12; Habakkuk 3:17-18; Haggai 2:19

Fig-trees in the teaching of Jesus Christ and the apostles

In parables and object lessons

James 3:9-12 See also Matthew 7:15-20 pp Luke 6:43-45; Luke 13:6-9

The lesson of the fig-tree

Matthew 24:32-35 pp Mark 13:28-31 pp Luke 21:29-31

Jesus Christ curses a fig-tree

Matthew 21:18-22 pp Mark 11:12-14 pp Mark 11:20-24