Dictionaries :: Fig

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Fig:

First mentioned in Gen 3:7. The fig-tree is mentioned (Deu 8:8) as one of the valuable products of Palestine. It was a sign of peace and prosperity (1Ki 4:25; Mic 4:4; Zec 3:10). Figs were used medicinally (2Ki 20:7), and pressed together and formed into "cakes" as articles of diet (1Sa 30:12; Jer 24:2).

Our Lord's cursing the fig-tree near Bethany (Mar 11:13) has occasioned much perplexity from the circumstance, as mentioned by the evangelist, that "the time of figs was not yet." The explanation of the words, however, lies in the simple fact that the fruit of the fig-tree appears before the leaves, and hence that if the tree produced leaves it ought also to have had fruit. It ought to have had fruit if it had been true to its "pretensions," in showing its leaves at this particular season. "This tree, so to speak, vaunted itself to be in advance of all the other trees, challenged the passer-by that he should come and refresh himself with its fruit. Yet when the Lord accepted its challenge and drew near, it proved to be but as the others, without fruit as they; for indeed, as the evangelist observes, the time of figs had not yet arrived. Its fault, if one may use the word, lay in its pretensions, in its making a show to run before the rest when it did not so indeed" (Trench, Miracles).

The fig-tree of Palestine (Ficus carica) produces two and sometimes three crops of figs in a year, (1) the bikkurah, or "early-ripe fig" (Mic 7:1; Isa 28:4; Hsa 9:10, R.V.), which is ripe about the end of June, dropping off as soon as it is ripe (Nah 3:12); (2) the kermus, or "summer fig," then begins to be formed, and is ripe about August; and (3) the pag (Sgs 2:13; Rev 6:13, "the untimely fig"), or "winter fig," which ripens in sheltered spots in spring.

Nave's Topical Bible

Fig: Common to Palestine

Num 13:23; Deu 8:8;

to Egypt,

Psa 105:33.

Fig: Employed as a Remedy

2Ki 20:7; Isa 38:21

Fig: Traffic In

Neh 13:15

Fig: Dried and Preserved

1Sa 30:12

Fig: Cakes Of

Sent by Abigail to David,

1Sa 25:18-35.

Fig: Aprons Made of Fig Leaves

By Adam and Eve,

Gen 3:7.

Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words

Fig:

denotes "the ripe fruit of a suke, a fig-tree" (see below; cp. No. 2), Mat 7:16; Mar 11:13; Luk 6:44; Jam 3:12.

Fig:

denotes "an unripe fig," which grows in winter and usually falls off in the spring, Rev 6:13. In the Sept., S. of Sol., 2:13.