Topical Bible: Fruitful

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Topical Encyclopedia

The term "fruitful" in the Bible is rich with spiritual, moral, and physical connotations, often symbolizing abundance, prosperity, and the manifestation of God's blessings. It is used both literally, in reference to the fertility of the land and the multiplication of offspring, and metaphorically, to describe the spiritual growth and productivity of individuals and communities.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, the concept of fruitfulness is frequently associated with God's covenant promises. In Genesis 1:28 , God commands Adam and Eve, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it." This command establishes fruitfulness as a divine blessing and a fundamental aspect of human purpose. Similarly, God's promise to Abraham includes the assurance of fruitfulness: "I will make you exceedingly fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will descend from you" (Genesis 17:6).

The land of Canaan, described as "a land flowing with milk and honey" (Exodus 3:8), is depicted as a place of fruitfulness, symbolizing God's provision and the fulfillment of His promises to Israel. The Israelites' obedience to God's commandments is often linked to agricultural abundance, as seen in Deuteronomy 28:4 : "The fruit of your womb will be blessed, as well as the produce of your land and the offspring of your livestock."

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, fruitfulness takes on a more spiritual dimension. Jesus frequently uses agricultural metaphors to teach about spiritual growth and the Kingdom of God. In John 15:5 , Jesus declares, "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." Here, fruitfulness is directly linked to a relationship with Christ, emphasizing the necessity of abiding in Him to produce spiritual fruit.

The Apostle Paul further develops this theme in his epistles. In Galatians 5:22-23 , he lists the "fruit of the Spirit" as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These virtues are the evidence of a life transformed by the Holy Spirit, reflecting the character of Christ.

Moral and Ethical Implications

Fruitfulness in the Bible also carries moral and ethical implications. It is not merely about physical or material abundance but encompasses the quality of one's life and actions. In Matthew 7:17-20 , Jesus warns, "Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit... Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them." This passage underscores the importance of integrity and righteousness, as one's actions and character reveal their true nature.

Eschatological Significance

The theme of fruitfulness extends into eschatological visions, where it symbolizes the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. In Revelation 22:2 , the tree of life is described as bearing "twelve kinds of fruit, yielding a fresh crop for each month," signifying eternal life and the restoration of creation.

Conclusion

Throughout Scripture, fruitfulness is a multifaceted concept that encompasses God's blessings, spiritual growth, moral integrity, and eschatological hope. It serves as a reminder of the believer's calling to live a life that reflects God's character and purposes, bearing fruit that glorifies Him.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

(a.) Full of fruit; producing fruit abundantly; bearing results; prolific; fertile; liberal; bountiful; as, a fruitful tree, or season, or soil; a fruitful wife.

Greek

2593. karpophoros -- fruitful
... fruitful. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: karpophoros Phonetic Spelling:
(kar-pof-or'-os) Short Definition: fruitful Definition: fruitful. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2593.htm - 6k

2164. euphoreo -- to bear well, ie to be fruitful
... to bear well, ie to be fruitful. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: euphoreo
Phonetic Spelling: (yoo-for-eh'-o) Short Definition: I bear well, bring a good ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2164.htm - 6k

2590. karpos -- fruit
... word Definition fruit NASB Word Usage benefit (2), crop (5), crops (2), descendants*
(1), fruit (43), fruitful (1), fruits (4), grain (1), harvest (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2590.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew

6509. parah -- to bear fruit, be fruitful
... 6508, 6509. parah. 6510 . to bear fruit, be fruitful. Transliteration: parah
Phonetic Spelling: (paw-raw') Short Definition: fruitful. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/6509.htm - 6k

6500. para -- be fruitful
... para. 6501 . be fruitful. Transliteration: para Phonetic Spelling: (paw-raw')
Short Definition: fruitful. Word Origin the same as parah, qv. be fruitful ...
/hebrew/6500.htm - 5k

3759. karmel -- a plantation, garden land, fruit, garden growth
... garden land, fruit, garden growth NASB Word Usage fertile field (5), fertile fields
(1), fresh ears (1), fresh ears of grain (1), fruitful (1), fruitful field ...
/hebrew/3759.htm - 6k

8081. shemen -- fat, oil
... wild* (1). anointing, fat things, fruitful, oiled, ointment, olive, pine.
From shaman; grease, especially liquid (as from the olive ...
/hebrew/8081.htm - 6k

2233. zera -- a sowing, seed, offspring
... sow (1). child, fruitful, seedtime, sowing- time. From zara'; seed; figuratively,
fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity -- X carnally ...
/hebrew/2233.htm - 6k

3760. Karmel -- a mountain promontory on the Mediterranean, also a ...
... Word Usage Carmel (22). Carmel, fruitful plentiful field, place. The same
as karmel; Karmel, the name of a hill and of a town in ...
/hebrew/3760.htm - 6k

2463. Chelbon -- a place in Aram (Syria)
... Helbah. From cheleb; fruitful; Chelbon, a place in Syria -- Helbah. see HEBREW
cheleb. 2462, 2463. Chelbon. 2464 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/2463.htm - 6k

5109. Nobay -- an Israelite leader
... leader NASB Word Usage Nebai (1). Nebai. From nowb; fruitful; Nobai, an Israelite --
Nebai (from the margin). see HEBREW nowb. 5108, 5109. Nobay. 5110 . ...
/hebrew/5109.htm - 6k

6529. peri -- fruit
... Word Origin from parah Definition fruit NASB Word Usage earnings* (1), foliage
(1), fruit (84), fruitful (2), fruits (2), fruits* (1), offspring (11), price (1 ...
/hebrew/6529.htm - 6k

1121. ben -- son
... breed, + (young) bullock, + (young) calf, X came up in, child, colt, X common, X
corn, daughter, X of first, + firstborn, foal, + very fruitful, + postage, X in ...
/hebrew/1121.htm - 8k

Library

Two Fruitful Years
... THE ACTS CHAP. XIII TO END TWO FRUITFUL YEARS. 'And it came to pass, that,
while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/two fruitful years.htm

Of the Fruitful Works of the Spirit, the which are Eternal
... THE SECOND BOOK CHAPTER LV. OF THE FRUITFUL WORKS OF THE SPIRIT, THE WHICH
ARE ETERNAL. Now our spirit and this love are living and ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter lv of the fruitful.htm

Is it not Easy to Conceive the World in Your Mind? to Think the ...
... To think the Heavens fair? The Sun Glorious? The Earth fruitful? The Air Pleasant? ...
The Sun Glorious? The Earth fruitful? The Air Pleasant? The Sea Profitable? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/traherne/centuries of meditations/9 is it not easy.htm

The Church, Formerly Barren, is Now Fruitful.
... The Homily. Chap. ii."the church, formerly barren, is now fruitful. "Rejoice,
thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry ...
/.../unknown/the second epistle of clement/chap ii the church formerly barren.htm

The Church, Formerly Barren, is Now Fruitful.
... The Second Epistle of Clement. Chapter II."The Church, Formerly Barren,
is Now Fruitful. "Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not ...
/.../keith/the epistles of clement/chapter ii the church formerly barren.htm

Of the Mutual Contentment of the Divine Persons, and the Mutual ...
... this embrace in the Unity, all things are consummated; and in the gushing forth
of love, all things are wrought; and in the life-giving and fruitful Nature lie ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter x of the mutual.htm

Knowledge and Obedience.
... with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye
might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good ...
/.../thomas/the prayers of st paul/v knowledge and obedience.htm

The Well-Beloved's vineyard.
... IN MR. SPURGEON'S OWN ROOM AT MENTONE."My Well-beloved hath a vineyard in a
very fruitful hill.""Isaiah 5:1. THE WELL-BELOVED'S VINEYARD. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/till he come/the well-beloveds vineyard.htm

Psalm CXXVIII.
... Was he, because he feared the Lord, thence happy, thence blessed, because his wife
was as a fruitful vine upon the earth, and his children stood around his ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxxviii.htm

How Vespasian Upon Hearing of Some Commotions in Gall, Made Haste ...
... Asphaltitis, and that of Tiberias, whose natures are opposite to each other; for
the former is salt and unfruitful, but that of Tiberias is sweet and fruitful. ...
/.../chapter 8 how vespasian upon.htm

Thesaurus

Fruitful (57 Occurrences)
... (a.) Full of fruit; producing fruit abundantly; bearing results; prolific; fertile;
liberal; bountiful; as, a fruitful tree, or season ...Fruitful (57 Occurrences). ...
/f/fruitful.htm - 24k

Forests (12 Occurrences)
... and I have cut down the tall cedars thereof, and the choice cypresses thereof; and
I have entered into his farthest lodge, the forest of his fruitful field. ...
/f/forests.htm - 10k

Blesseth (55 Occurrences)
... Genesis 1:22 And God blesseth them, saying, 'Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill
the waters in the seas, and the fowl let multiply in the earth:' (YLT). ...
/b/blesseth.htm - 22k

Bough (8 Occurrences)
... Bough (8 Occurrences). Genesis 49:22 Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful
bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall: (KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV). ...
/b/bough.htm - 9k

Community (77 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Genesis 28:3 and God Almighty doth bless thee, and make thee fruitful,
and multiply thee, and thou hast become an assembly of peoples; (See NIV). ...
/c/community.htm - 32k

Innermost (22 Occurrences)
... of Lebanon; and I will cut down its tall cedars, and its choice fir trees; and I
will enter into his farthest lodging place, the forest of his fruitful field. ...
/i/innermost.htm - 13k

Multiply (98 Occurrences)
... Genesis 1:22 God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the
waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth." (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY ...
/m/multiply.htm - 37k

Esteemed (44 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 29:17 Is it not yet a very little while, and Lebanon shall be turned into
a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest? ...
/e/esteemed.htm - 20k

Forest (67 Occurrences)
... 13, margin "thickets"); "the forest of Carmel" (2 Kings 19:23 the King James Version,
the Revised Version (British and American) "of his fruitful field"); "the ...
/f/forest.htm - 37k

Fill (126 Occurrences)
... Genesis 1:22 God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the
waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth." (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY ...
/f/fill.htm - 36k

Resources

What does it mean to be a fruitful Christian? | GotQuestions.org

What did God mean when He told Adam and Eve to be fruitful and multiply? | GotQuestions.org

What can we learn from the tribe of Joseph? | GotQuestions.org

Fruitful: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Fruitful (57 Occurrences)

John 15:2
every branch in me not bearing fruit, He doth take it away, and every one bearing fruit, He doth cleanse by pruning it, that it may bear more fruit;
(See NIV)

John 15:16
It is not you who chose me, but it is I who chose you and appointed you that you might go and be fruitful and that your fruit might remain; so that whatever petition you present to the Father in my name He may give you.
(WEY)

Acts 14:17
Yet he didn't leave himself without witness, in that he did good and gave you rains from the sky and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness."
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Philippians 1:22
And if to live in the flesh 'is' to me a fruit of work, then what shall I choose? I know not;
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Colossians 1:10
That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
(KJV WBS YLT)

Genesis 1:22
God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 1:28
God blessed them. God said to them, "Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 8:17
Bring forth with you every living thing that is with you of all flesh, including birds, livestock, and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, that they may breed abundantly in the earth, and be fruitful, and multiply on the earth."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 9:1
God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them, "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 9:7
Be fruitful and multiply. Bring forth abundantly in the earth, and multiply in it."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 17:6
I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of you. Kings will come out of you.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 17:20
As for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He will become the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 26:22
He left that place, and dug another well. They didn't argue over that one. He called it Rehoboth. He said, "For now Yahweh has made room for us, and we will be fruitful in the land."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Genesis 28:3
May God Almighty bless you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, that you may be a company of peoples,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 29:31
And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he made her fruitful: but Rachel was barren.
(WBS)

Genesis 30:22
And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and rendered her fruitful.
(WBS)

Genesis 35:11
God said to him, "I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply. A nation and a company of nations will be from you, and kings will come out of your body.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 41:52
The name of the second, he called Ephraim : "For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 47:27
Israel lived in the land of Egypt, in the land of Goshen; and they got themselves possessions therein, and were fruitful, and multiplied exceedingly.
(WEB JPS ASV DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 48:4
and said to me,'Behold, I will make you fruitful, and multiply you, and I will make of you a company of peoples, and will give this land to your seed after you for an everlasting possession.'
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 49:22
"Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine by a spring. His branches run over the wall.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 1:7
The children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and grew exceedingly mighty; and the land was filled with them.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 23:30
By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou art fruitful, and possess the land.
(DBY YLT NAS)

Leviticus 2:14
And if thou bring near a present of first-ripe 'fruits' to Jehovah, -- of green ears, roasted with fire, beaten out 'corn' of a fruitful field thou dost bring near the present of thy first-ripe 'fruits',
(YLT)

Leviticus 26:9
"'I will have respect for you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, and will establish my covenant with you.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 29:18
lest there be among you a man or woman, or family or tribe, whose heart is turning to-day from Jehovah our God, to go to serve the gods of those nations, lest there be in you a root fruitful of gall and wormwood:
(YLT)

2 Kings 19:23
By your messengers you have defied the Lord, and have said,'With the multitude of my chariots, I have come up to the height of the mountains, to the innermost parts of Lebanon; and I will cut down its tall cedars, and its choice fir trees; and I will enter into his farthest lodging place, the forest of his fruitful field.
(WEB JPS ASV DBY)

2 Chronicles 26:10
He built towers in the wilderness, and dug out many cisterns, for he had much livestock; in the lowland also, and in the plain: and he had farmers and vineyard keepers in the mountains and in the fruitful fields; for he loved farming.
(WEB JPS ASV)

Psalms 105:24
And he made his people exceeding fruitful, and made them mightier than their oppressors.
(DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 107:34
and a fruitful land into a salt waste, for the wickedness of those who dwell in it.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 107:37
And sow fields, and plant vineyards, which yield fruits of increase.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 128:3
Your wife will be as a fruitful vine, in the innermost parts of your house; your children like olive plants, around your table.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 148:9
Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:
(KJV JPS ASV WBS)

Isaiah 5:1
Let me sing for my well beloved a song of my beloved about his vineyard. My beloved had a vineyard on a very fruitful hill.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT)

Isaiah 10:18
He will consume the glory of his forest, and of his fruitful field, both soul and body. It will be as when a standard bearer faints.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Isaiah 11:1
And there shall come forth a shoot out of the stock of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots shall be fruitful;
(DBY YLT)

Isaiah 16:10
Gladness is taken away, and joy out of the fruitful field; and in the vineyards there will be no singing, neither joyful noise. Nobody will tread out wine in the presses. I have made the shouting stop.
(WEB JPS ASV DBY YLT NAS RSV)

Isaiah 17:6
Yet gleanings will be left there, like the shaking of an olive tree, two or three olives in the top of the uppermost bough, four or five in the outermost branches of a fruitful tree," says Yahweh, the God of Israel.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

Isaiah 27:2
In that day it will be said, A vine-garden of delight, make a song about it.
(See NIV)

Isaiah 29:17
Isn't it yet a very little while, and Lebanon will be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field will be regarded as a forest?
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Isaiah 32:12
Beat your breasts for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Isaiah 32:15
Until the Spirit is poured on us from on high, and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is considered a forest.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Isaiah 32:16
Then justice will dwell in the wilderness; and righteousness will remain in the fruitful field.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Isaiah 37:24
By your servants, have you defied the Lord, and have said, "With the multitude of my chariots I have come up to the height of the mountains, to the innermost parts of Lebanon. I will cut down its tall cedars and its choice fir trees. I will enter into its farthest height, the forest of its fruitful field.
(WEB JPS ASV DBY)

Isaiah 45:8
Drop, ye heavens, from above, And clouds do cause righteousness to flow, Earth openeth, and they are fruitful, Salvation and righteousness spring up together, I, Jehovah, have prepared it.
(YLT)

Jeremiah 2:7
And I brought you into a fruitful land, to eat the fruit thereof and the good thereof; and ye entered and defiled my land, and made my heritage an abomination.
(DBY JPS YLT NAS)

Jeremiah 3:16
And it shall come to pass, when ye are multiplied in the land and become fruitful, in those days, saith Jehovah, they shall say no more, Ark of the covenant of Jehovah! neither shall it come to mind, nor shall they remember it, nor shall they visit it; neither shall it be done any more.
(DBY YLT)

Jeremiah 4:26
I saw, and behold, the fruitful field was a wilderness, and all its cities were broken down at the presence of Yahweh, and before his fierce anger.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 23:3
I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and multiply.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 48:33
Gladness and joy is taken away from the fruitful field and from the land of Moab; and I have caused wine to cease from the wine presses: none shall tread with shouting; the shouting shall be no shouting.
(WEB JPS ASV DBY YLT NAS RSV)

Jeremiah 49:4
Why do you glory in the valleys, your flowing valley, backsliding daughter? who trusted in her treasures, saying, Who shall come to me?
(See NIV)

Ezekiel 17:5
He took also of the seed of the land, and planted it in a fruitful soil; he placed it beside many waters; he set it as a willow tree.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS)

Ezekiel 19:10
Your mother was like a vine, in your blood, planted by the waters: it was fruitful and full of branches by reason of many waters.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 36:11
and I will multiply on you man and animal; and they shall increase and be fruitful; and I will cause you to be inhabited after your former estate, and will do better to you than at your beginnings: and you shall know that I am Yahweh.
(WEB JPS ASV YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Hosea 13:15
Though he is fruitful among his brothers, an east wind will come, the breath of Yahweh coming up from the wilderness; and his spring will become dry, and his fountain will be dried up. He will plunder the storehouse of treasure.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS)

Micah 7:14
Feed thy people with thy rod, the flock of thy heritage, which dwell solitarily, in the forest in the midst of Carmel: let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old.
(See JPS NAS)

Zechariah 9:17
For what His goodness! and what His beauty! Corn the young men, And new wine the virgins -- make fruitful!
(YLT)

Subtopics

Fruitful

Related Terms

Olive (61 Occurrences)

Tree (245 Occurrences)

Naphtali (51 Occurrences)

Jazer (13 Occurrences)

Joel (22 Occurrences)

Gerizim (4 Occurrences)

Fatness (17 Occurrences)

Fertility (1 Occurrence)