The term "flourisheth" is an archaic form of the word "flourishes," which is used in the Bible to describe growth, prosperity, and the thriving of individuals, nations, or the natural world. This concept is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, symbolizing divine blessing, spiritual vitality, and the fulfillment of God's promises.

Biblical Usage and Symbolism

In the Scriptures, the imagery of flourishing is often associated with trees, plants, and nature, symbolizing life, growth, and prosperity under God's care. For instance, in Psalm 92:12-13 , it is written, "The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God." Here, the flourishing of the righteous is likened to the growth of strong and enduring trees, indicating spiritual vitality and stability.

The concept of flourishing is also used to describe the prosperity of nations and peoples under God's favor. In Isaiah 35:1-2 , the prophet speaks of a time of restoration and blessing: "The wilderness and the land will be glad; the desert will rejoice and blossom like a rose. It will bloom abundantly and even rejoice with joy and singing." This passage illustrates the transformation and flourishing of the land as a metaphor for the renewal and blessing of God's people.

Spiritual Implications

Flourishing in the biblical sense is not merely about material prosperity but encompasses spiritual well-being and alignment with God's will. In John 15:5 , Jesus uses the metaphor of the vine and branches to describe the spiritual flourishing of those who abide in Him: "I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing." This passage emphasizes the importance of a close relationship with Christ as the source of true spiritual growth and fruitfulness.

Moral and Ethical Dimensions

The flourishing of individuals and communities is often linked to righteousness and obedience to God's commandments. Proverbs 11:28 states, "He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like foliage." This highlights the moral dimension of flourishing, where trust in God and righteous living lead to true prosperity and growth.

Eschatological Hope

The theme of flourishing also carries eschatological significance, pointing to the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises in the new creation. Revelation 22:1-2 describes the vision of the New Jerusalem, where the river of the water of life flows, and the tree of life flourishes, bearing fruit for the healing of the nations. This imagery encapsulates the hope of eternal flourishing in God's presence, where His people will experience perfect peace, joy, and abundance.

In summary, the biblical concept of "flourisheth" encompasses a rich tapestry of meanings, from the physical growth of nature to the spiritual prosperity of individuals and communities under God's blessing. It serves as a reminder of the abundant life promised to those who walk in righteousness and remain in communion with the Lord.

Psalm CIII.
... very short space dried up? Why is the grass proud that flourisheth only
for a brief season, until the sun be hot? It is then good ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm ciii.htm

The Testament of Simeon Concerning Envy.
... to eat, nor to drink, nor to do any good thing: it ever suggesteth to him to destroy
him that he envieth; and he that is envied ever flourisheth, but he that ...
/.../ii the testament of simeon concerning.htm

The Preaching of Nature.
... Every meadow, every grassy hillock in the churchyard, seems to say to us, "as for
man, his days are as grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon l the preaching of.htm

What the Flowers Say.
... (Children's Flower Service.) Psalm 103:15. "As a flower of the field, so he
flourisheth.". Children, have you ever heard of the language of flowers? ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon lxi what the flowers.htm

The Waterer Watered
... parts of the universe are bound to one another by invisible chains, and there is
not a single creature in it which springeth up, or flourisheth, or decayeth ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/the waterer watered.htm

Watch-Night Service
... grass which groweth up. "In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up;
in the evening it is cut down, and withereth. "For we are ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/watch-night service.htm

The Second Part.
... For grass flourisheth through the winter, a tree is as it were dry through the winter:
when in summer time the sun hath come forth with greater heat, the tree ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/the second part.htm

March 16 Morning
... In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up: in the evening it is cut down, and
withereth."Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. ...
/.../anonymous/daily light on the daily path/march 16 morning.htm

August 17 Evening
... AUGUST 17 EVENING. As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the
field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and ...
/.../anonymous/daily light on the daily path/august 17 evening.htm

Psalm CXXXII.
... For Thy servant David's sake, turn not Thou away the presence of Thine Anointed."
"Upon Him shall My sanctification flourish." It flourisheth upon Christ. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxxxii.htm

Flourisheth (6 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Flourisheth (6 Occurrences). Psalms 90:6 In the morning
it flourisheth, and groweth up; in the evening it is cut down, and withereth. ...
/f/flourisheth.htm - 8k

Flourishes (6 Occurrences)
... you. (WEY). Psalms 90:6 In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up; in
the evening it is cut down, and withereth. (See NAS RSV). ...
/f/flourishes.htm - 8k

Groweth (29 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). Psalms 90:6 In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up;
in the evening it is cut down, and withereth. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). ...
/g/groweth.htm - 15k

Flourishing (11 Occurrences)

/f/flourishing.htm - 9k

Withers (20 Occurrences)
... (See NAS RSV NIV). Psalms 90:6 In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up;
in the evening it is cut down, and withereth. (See NAS RSV). ...
/w/withers.htm - 11k

Withereth (13 Occurrences)
... (See JPS). Psalms 90:6 In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up; in the
evening it is cut down, and withereth. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). ...
/w/withereth.htm - 10k

Striketh (19 Occurrences)
... strengtheneth me, (YLT). Hosea 14:5 I am as dew to Israel, he flourisheth as
a lily, And he striketh forth his roots as Lebanon. (YLT). ...
/s/striketh.htm - 11k

Appeareth (31 Occurrences)
... Song of Songs 7:12 Let us get up early to the vineyards; let us see if the vine
flourisheth, whether the tender grape appeareth, and the pomegranates bud forth ...
/a/appeareth.htm - 15k

Mortal (35 Occurrences)
... of men. (DBY). Psalms 103:15 Mortal man! as grass 'are' his days, As a
flower of the field so he flourisheth; (YLT). Psalms 146:3 ...
/m/mortal.htm - 17k

Changed (177 Occurrences)
... changed. (BBE). Psalms 90:6 In the morning it flourisheth, and hath changed,
At evening it is cut down, and hath withered. (YLT). ...
/c/changed.htm - 36k

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