Biblical Fruits and Grains: The Fig

Figs

This is the 6th of the 7 tier First fruit basket items. The Hebrew word for “Fig Tree” is Te’enah and means “to spread out”. The first mentioned fruit tree: Genesis 3:7 “and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.” The very aspect of “spreading out” points to a promise of a “Shabbat” rest and the Shabbat Kingdom Era to come, the Millennial reign of Christ.

I Kings 4:
25 And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon [the king or “prince” of Peace – cf. Solomon w/ Sar Shalom in Isa. 9:6].

(Cf. Zech. 3:10) It appears that the passage of Isaiah 2:2-4 and Micah 4:1-4 may actually deal with the New Heavens and New Earth, as at the end of the 1000 years the nations still learn war yet again – cf. Revelation 20:1-10). The Fig Tree may actually be representative more of local Jewish synagogues, rabbis, judges, and hierarchy in general than of eretz Israel...who are seen as an Olive Tree as a nation, such as through Paul's example in Romans.
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The fig tree generally grows to a height of 10-30 feet, but may be carefully pruned and cultivated to a height as high as 50 feet. The leaves of the fig can exceed 1 foot in length. They are inclined to dwell in an all day sun. When next to a wall, the preferable location is that it rests north of the tree, and is light colored to reflect and emit heat for the tree.

This leads me to believe the likelihood that when Jesus came from Bethany on two of His days, He walked not over Olivet, but around the backside of the mountain, and approached the city through the southeast Kidron. He would have thus approached via the Well of En Rogel, and across the wooden bridge into the Ophel area (the lower city of Jerusalem).

But there is also another possibility of a location. Judas hanged himself on a large tree whose limb was certainly dead. What if this diagonal location from the Cross (the location of Judas’ hanging) was the Fig Tree that was cursed? Not only NOT bearing fruit, being away from the southern wall facings which fig trees love, but an isolation that had to be especially climbed to at the time. Though not likely, it seems possible. And if so, this would be simply another validation for the southwestern Kidron/Hinom Valley juncture as a prophetic place cursing in another type of representation. See my postings: NT Specifics of the Location of the Cross - 10/19/09 and Selah, suspended Part 2 - 10/26/09. But that is another involved discussion.


Matthew 21:
17 And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.
18 Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered.
19 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.
20 And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!
21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.
22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

So in this, we see that the tree is a type of Fig Tree that was expected to have ripe and sweet fruit, but had not. In fact, it had not even the evidence of EVER having bore fruit. And for this reason, the mature “Kermouse Fig Tree”, which has fruit ripening upon it from August to March, was cursed. The Kermouse forms the fig first and then the leaves, and is highly more desirable than the Sycamore “green” fig which ripens from November to June and is most edible in late May to June. When Jesus was checking this Fig Tree, it would have been around March 21st (according to Lactantius, who states his crucifixion as on March 23, which would be a Wednesday afternoon, fulfilling a literal 3 days & 3 nights prophecy).

Once picked, a fig must be eaten within a day or two, or dried in the sun over a period of 4-5 days, that in its dried form, it might last 6-8 months longer. The Bible refers to dried figs as cakes, and they will generally be carried like popcorn on a string.


In Mark 11:13, the way the Greek reads, it appears that the correct reading should be:
"And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves -- certainly nothing (but); for was the time of figs."

This interpretation is also confirmed by the examination of the parable of the Fig Tree which follows in Mark 13:28-29 (cf. Luke 13:6-9).

Revelation 6:
13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.

Be it Heavenly or Earthly Trustees, both angels and men are associated with the fig tree. When a fig is untimely cast off, it becomes only useful as a type of fertilizer or dung.

So what was the big deal in cursing the Fig Tree? Again, alike Mark 13:28-29 -
Matthew 24:
32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, [i.e., when the leaves get really big, about a foot long] ye know that summer is nigh:
33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.

In Hosea 9:10, the fig tree represents the “fathers” of Israel in that generation:

“I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the first-ripe in the fig tree at her first time: but they went to Baalpeor, and separated themselves unto that shame; and their abominations were according as they loved. “

In other words, the tree that Jesus hungered and came to, was like the Tree of Prophecy of Shechem was for many hundreds of years...the same tree of prophecy which shared residency inside the courts of the Tabernacle, and served as a witness. This tree of Shechem, though not a fig tree, was present with Abraham as an altar place (Genesis 12:6-7) and saw G-D as a witness with Abraham...witnessed also the farewell of Joshua (Joshua chapter 24) along with the great stone or eben (Alef-BeN, "G-D's Son" which was set up under the oak/terebinth -- Joshua 24:26)...after which it became a tree of prophecy for hundreds of years after.

Again, we look back upon the Fig tree of Israel of the Herodian Period as being foreknown to have been without "fruit"...which is clarified as repentance and watchfulness... probably more along the lines of the Jewish leadership and Sanhedrin (as Israel proper is and Olive Tree, so its leadership appears to be as a "fig tree").

Luke 13:
5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
6 He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.
7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?
8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:
9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.

Proverbs 27:
18 Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured. (Proverbs 27:18)