Fruits, as the produce of trees, hold significant symbolic and practical importance throughout the Bible. They are often mentioned in the context of God's creation, sustenance, and the moral and spiritual lessons they convey.

Creation and Provision

In the account of creation, God establishes fruit-bearing trees as a fundamental part of the earth's ecosystem. Genesis 1:11-12 states, "Then God said, 'Let the earth bring forth vegetation, seed-bearing plants and fruit trees, each bearing fruit with seed according to its kind.' And it was so. The earth produced vegetation: seed-bearing plants according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good." Here, fruits are depicted as a divine provision for both humans and animals, underscoring God's care and providence.

Symbolism and Moral Lessons

Fruits are frequently used symbolically in Scripture to convey moral and spiritual truths. In the Garden of Eden, the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil represents the choice between obedience and disobedience to God. Genesis 2:16-17 records God's command: "And the LORD God commanded him, 'You may eat freely from every tree of the garden, but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; for in the day that you eat of it, you will surely die.'" The subsequent fall of man through the consumption of this fruit illustrates the consequences of sin and the loss of innocence.

In the New Testament, fruits are often used metaphorically to describe the results of one's actions or character. Jesus teaches in Matthew 7:16-20 , "By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, by their fruit you will recognize them." This passage emphasizes the importance of producing good works as evidence of a righteous life.

Spiritual Fruitfulness

The concept of spiritual fruitfulness is further developed in the teachings of the Apostle Paul. 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 result of living in accordance with the Holy Spirit and are contrasted with the "works of the flesh."

Eschatological Imagery

Fruits also appear in eschatological imagery, symbolizing the abundance and restoration of God's kingdom. In Revelation 22:1-2 , the vision of the New Jerusalem includes the tree of life: "Then the angel showed me a river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the main street of the city. On either side of the river stood a tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit and yielding a fresh crop for each month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations." This imagery reflects the eternal life and healing that come from God.

Conclusion

Throughout the Bible, fruits serve as a powerful symbol of God's provision, the moral choices of humanity, and the spiritual growth expected of believers. They remind us of the Creator's generosity and the call to live lives that bear good fruit in accordance with His will.Genesis 1:29
And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ecclesiastes 2:5
I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Of the Advantage and Use of the World and of the Seasons.
... by the breath of the winds, that the fields of sown grain may be watered with showers,
that the vines may abound with produce, and the trees with fruits. ...
/.../chap xiii of the advantage and.htm

The Germination of the Earth.
... we have already said, it is chiefly a question of the trees which contribute ... He invites
us to produce fruits in abundance, for fear lest our sterility should ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/homily v the germination of.htm

How Human Actions are Without Worth when they are done Without ...
... come near it they die, unless they speedily return against the stream; the trees
upon its shore produce nothing that lives, and although their fruits are in ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xi how human actions.htm

How Love Spreads Its Excellence Over the Other virtues, Perfecting ...
... Now the fruits of grafted trees always follow the graft, for if the ... as the stock
communicates its taste to all the fruits which the grafts produce, yet so ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter v how love spreads.htm

Psalm CXXVIII.
... the fruit of these labours, the produce of these trees; it is this that delighteth
the husbandman. What meaneth, "Thou shalt eat the labours of thy fruits"? ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxxviii.htm

Of Two Other Degrees of Greater Perfection, by which we May Love ...
... produce any mortal sin, but still they produce some useless ... otherwise they would
not be good trees; but still ... not deny that some of their fruits are fruitless. ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter v of two other.htm

Chapter xxiv.
... when He had made mention of these two trees, He added ... the kingdom of God." And what
the fruits are by ... show that the will must be aided to produce good thoughts ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter xxiv.htm

Jericho Itself.
... need of a long commentary, and they produce one, but ... the men of Jericho was about
palm-trees; which they ... sheaves, before the sheaf [of first-fruits] was offered ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 47 jericho itself.htm

The Resurrection Proved by Examples.
... And the nature of trees and fruit-trees,"is it not that according to the appointment
of God they produce their fruits in their seasons out of what has been ...
/.../theophilus/theophilus to autolycus/chapter xiii the resurrection proved by.htm

Wherein is a Partial Inquiry into the Nature of the World, and a ...
... the earth was full, too, of her produce, bringing forth fruits at the ... were crowned
with young grass, and with the varied produce of the trees, just risen ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/i wherein is a partial.htm

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Fruits: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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