Topical Bible: The Wicked are Compared to Green Herbs

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In biblical literature, the imagery of the wicked being compared to green herbs is a metaphor that illustrates the temporary and fleeting nature of the prosperity and success of the wicked. This metaphor is primarily drawn from Psalm 37, a psalm attributed to David, which addresses the apparent prosperity of the wicked and the ultimate justice of God.

Psalm 37:1-2 :
"Do not fret over those who do evil; do not envy those who do wrong. For they will wither quickly like grass and wilt like tender plants."

In these verses, the psalmist advises the faithful not to be envious or anxious about the success of those who do evil. The comparison to grass and tender plants, or green herbs, emphasizes the transitory nature of their prosperity. Just as green herbs flourish for a short time and then wither away, so too will the apparent success of the wicked come to an end.

The metaphor of green herbs is significant in its cultural and agricultural context. In the ancient Near East, green herbs and grass would sprout quickly after rain but would just as quickly wither under the scorching sun. This imagery would have been familiar to the original audience, who understood the fleeting nature of such vegetation.

Psalm 92:7 :
"Though the wicked sprout like grass, and all evildoers flourish, they will be forever destroyed."

Here, the psalmist reiterates the theme of the temporary flourishing of the wicked. The use of the word "sprout" suggests a rapid but short-lived growth, reinforcing the idea that the prosperity of the wicked is not enduring. The ultimate fate of the wicked is destruction, contrasting with the eternal security promised to the righteous.

Theological Implications:

The comparison of the wicked to green herbs serves as a reminder of the sovereignty and justice of God. It reassures believers that despite the temporary success of those who do evil, God's justice will prevail. The righteous are encouraged to trust in the Lord and remain faithful, knowing that their reward is eternal.

This metaphor also serves as a warning against placing value on temporal success and material wealth. It calls believers to focus on spiritual growth and eternal treasures rather than being swayed by the fleeting prosperity of the wicked.

Practical Application:

For believers, this imagery encourages patience and trust in God's timing. It serves as a call to live righteously and to focus on eternal values rather than being distracted by the temporary success of those who do not follow God's ways. It also provides comfort in the assurance that God sees all and will ultimately bring justice to pass.

In summary, the comparison of the wicked to green herbs in the Bible is a powerful metaphor that underscores the temporary nature of their success and the ultimate justice of God. It encourages believers to remain steadfast in their faith and to trust in the eternal promises of God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 37:2
For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Letter cxlvii. To Sabinianus.
... 3962] If they did this with the green tree, what ... of the wicked, but that the wicked
turn from ... in themselves, they are trivial indeed when compared with those ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxlvii to sabinianus.htm

The Resemblance Between the Old Testament and the New.
... I am like a green olive tree ... that how pleasant soever the delights of the wicked,
they gradually ... Wherefore, the passage may be fitly compared with one in Isaiah ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 10 the resemblance between.htm

Ancestors of the Blessed virgin
... always living amongst other men who, compared to them ... to lead their lives undisturbed
by wicked people ... There were little pots of green plants standing beside them ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/i ancestors of the blessed.htm

The Old Testament and Comparative Religion
... Let him root out the wicked and evildoer from the land! ... shall go free." With this
may be compared Exod.22.10 ... grain and plants," he "who caused the green herb to ...
/.../eiselen/the christian view of the old testament/chapter v the old testament.htm

Christian Behavior
... Wherefore sinners, before faith, are compared to the wilderness, whose fruits are ...
of grace, without strength; enemies in their minds by wicked works, and ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/christian behavior.htm

Book ii. Jerome Answers the Second, Third, and Fourth Propositions ...
... teaches that every moving creature, like herbs and vegetables ... They think it wicked
to eat the flesh of swine ... land-crocodiles, and the Africans even green lizards ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/book ii jerome answers the.htm

Beginning at Jerusalem. --Luke xxiv. 47.
... Also when he compared Jerusalem with the sinners of the ... knees to ask God forgiveness
for all her wicked life ... bright, we like not: wood that is green will rather ...
/.../bunyan/jerusalem sinner saved/beginning at jerusalem luke xxiv 47.htm

The Jerusalem Sinner Saved;
... Also when he compared Jerusalem with the sinners of the ... knees to ask God forgiveness
for all her wicked life ... bright, we like not; wood that is green will rather ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the jerusalem sinner saved.htm

Book Twelve the Mode of Creation and the Truth of Scripture. ...
... so, not because it was deprived of all form, but only as it compared with more ... Hope
and persevere until the night passes"that mother of the wicked; until the ...
/.../augustine/confessions and enchiridion/book twelve the mode of.htm

Church Fabrics and Services.
... to another, and would have found, as compared with the ... altar is a small pew hung
with green damask, with ... to all sorts of inferior and even wicked people, at ...
/.../the english church in the eighteenth century/chapter x church fabrics and.htm