In biblical literature, the term "sapling" is often used metaphorically to represent growth, potential, and new beginnings. While the specific word "sapling" may not frequently appear in the Berean Standard Bible, the concept is closely related to various passages that discuss trees, plants, and growth.

Symbolism of Growth and Potential

The imagery of a sapling is rich with symbolism in the Bible, often representing the early stages of growth and the potential for future development. This is seen in the broader context of trees and plants, which are frequently used as metaphors for spiritual growth and the flourishing of God's people.

In Isaiah 61:3, the prophet speaks of God's people as "oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor." Here, the mature oak tree symbolizes strength and righteousness, but it begins as a sapling, indicating the initial stages of spiritual growth and the nurturing required to reach maturity.

Parables and Teachings of Jesus

Jesus often used agricultural metaphors in His teachings, emphasizing the importance of growth and fruitfulness. In the Parable of the Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31-32), Jesus describes the kingdom of heaven as a mustard seed, "which a man took and planted in his field. Although it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree." This parable highlights the potential inherent in small beginnings, much like a sapling that grows into a mighty tree.

Spiritual Growth and Maturity

The Apostle Paul also uses plant imagery to describe spiritual growth. In 1 Corinthians 3:6-7 , Paul writes, "I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow." This passage underscores the divine role in nurturing spiritual growth, akin to the care required for a sapling to thrive.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament contains numerous references to trees and plants that can be associated with the concept of a sapling. In Job 14:7-9 , the resilience and hope of a tree are described: "For there is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its tender shoots will not fail. If its roots grow old in the ground and its stump dies in the soil, at the scent of water it will bud and put forth twigs like a sapling." This passage reflects the enduring hope and potential for renewal, even when circumstances seem dire.

Conclusion

The imagery of a sapling in the Bible serves as a powerful metaphor for growth, potential, and the nurturing care required for spiritual development. Through various passages, the Bible illustrates the journey from small beginnings to mature faith, emphasizing the divine role in guiding and sustaining this growth.(n.) A young tree.4625. skandalon -- a stick for bait (of a trap), generally a snare ...
... Scandal; probably from a derivative of kampto; a trap-stick (bent sapling), ie Snare
(figuratively, cause of displeasure or sin) -- occasion to fall (of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4625.htm - 8k3126. yoneq -- a young plant, sapling
... 3125, 3126. yoneq. 3127 . a young plant, sapling. Transliteration: yoneq
Phonetic Spelling: (yo-nake') Short Definition: shoot. ...
/hebrew/3126.htm - 6k

3242. yeniqah -- a young shoot, twig
... twigs (1). young twig. From yanaq; a sucker or sapling -- young twig. see HEBREW
yanaq. 3241, 3242. yeniqah. 3243 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/3242.htm - 6k

Home-Education.
... CHAPTER XVI. HOME-EDUCATION. SECTION I. THE CHARACTER OF HOME EDUCATION. "Scratch
the green rind of a sapling, or wantonly twist it in the soil, The scarred ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter xvi home-education.htm

Call to China and Voyage Hence
... days are few. Of the known facts some perhaps are too trivial, others too
sacred to bear mention. The sapling grew. Of the inner ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/fagg/forty years in south china/ii call to china and.htm

The Intellect Coeval with the Soul in the Human Being an Example ...
... to our own argument;) for it is an undoubted fact, that whilst trees are yet but
twigs and sprouts, and before they even reach the sapling stage, there is in ...
/.../tertullian/a treatise on the soul/chapter xix the intellect coeval with.htm

Hearts and Treasures
... When the weight is taken off the sapling in the nursery garden, which has been hung
on it to turn it into a weeping-tree, its elastic stem springs to the erect ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/hearts and treasures.htm

The Next Stage Occurs in the Creation of Man by the Eternal Word ...
... The sapling, however, of his blasphemy shall be never strong: it shall wither with
its planter, and thus shall be manifested the nature of the good tree. ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter iv the next stage occurs.htm

Letter ix. To Maximus the Philosopher.
... I often compare him to a woodman trying to straighten some ill-grown sapling, pulling
so immoderately in the opposite direction as to exceed the mean, and so ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter ix to maximus the.htm

Letter xxxviii. (AD 397. )
... it knocks with a just claim for admission, than to admit that which it will be most
difficult to expel, and which will rapidly grow from a mere sapling to a ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter xxxviii a d 397.htm

The Law of Sin with Its Guilt in Unbaptized Infants. By Adam's Sin ...
... Whenever God's grace converts a sapling into a good olive, so that the fault of
the first birth (that original sin which had been derived and contracted from ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 37 xxxii the law of.htm

Obadiah
... with years, that habits and associations grip with increasing power, that in all
things our natures become less flexible, the supple sapling becoming gnarled ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/obadiah.htm

The Hold Fast
... They have no fullness of manhood about them, they are mere children; they resemble
the sapling which can be bent and twisted, and not the oak which defies the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/the hold fast.htm

Sapling (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) A young tree. Multi-Version Concordance
Sapling (1 Occurrence). Isaiah 53:2 For he grew up before ...
/s/sapling.htm - 6k

Lordliness (1 Occurrence)
... Isaiah 53:2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender sapling, and as a root out
of dry ground: he hath no form nor lordliness, and when we see him, there is ...
/l/lordliness.htm - 6k

Waver (8 Occurrences)
... 2. (vi) To be unsettled in opinion; to vacillate; to be undetermined; to fluctuate;
as, to water in judgment. 3. (n.) A sapling left standing in a fallen wood. ...
/w/waver.htm - 9k

Plant (92 Occurrences)
... even a single cellule. 2. (n.) A bush, or young tree; a sapling; hence,
a stick or staff. 3. (n.) The sole of the foot. 4. (n.) The ...
/p/plant.htm - 37k

Saphuthi

/s/saphuthi.htm - 6k

Sapped (2 Occurrences)

/s/sapped.htm - 7k

Tender (66 Occurrences)
... Isaiah, 53:2 has "tender plant" for yoneq, "a sapling," while Job 14:7 has "tender
branch" for the allied word yoneqeth, usually rendered "shoot" (Job 8:16, etc ...
/t/tender.htm - 33k

Shoot (51 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 53:2 For he shot up right forth as a sapling, and as a root out of a dry
ground; he had no form nor comeliness, that we should look upon him, nor beauty ...
/s/shoot.htm - 24k

Sapling: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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