The term "withereth" is an archaic English word that appears in various translations of the Bible, including the King James Version, and is used to describe the process of drying up or fading away, often in reference to plants or flowers. In the Berean Standard Bible , the equivalent concept is expressed with terms like "withers" or "fades."

Biblical Context and Usage

1. Old Testament References:
· The imagery of withering is frequently used in the Old Testament to symbolize the frailty and transience of human life in contrast to the eternal nature of God. For instance, in Isaiah 40:7-8 , it is written: "The grass withers, the flowers fall when the breath of the LORD blows on them; indeed, the people are grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever." This passage highlights the temporary nature of human existence and the enduring truth of God's word.

2. Psalms and Wisdom Literature:
· The Psalms often employ the imagery of withering to describe the fate of the wicked or those who do not follow God's ways. Psalm 1:3-4 contrasts the righteous, who are "like a tree planted by streams of water," with the wicked, who "are like chaff that the wind blows away." The righteous are depicted as flourishing, while the wicked wither away, emphasizing the blessings of living a life rooted in God's law.

3. Prophetic Literature:
· In the prophetic books, withering is used metaphorically to describe the judgment and desolation that comes upon nations or peoples who turn away from God. For example, in Hosea 13:15 , it is stated: "Although he flourishes among his brothers, an east wind will come—the wind of the LORD rising from the desert. His spring will fail, and his fountain will dry up." This passage uses the imagery of withering to convey the impending judgment and loss of prosperity due to disobedience.

Theological Implications

The concept of withering in the Bible serves as a powerful reminder of the impermanence of earthly life and the futility of relying on human strength or achievements. It underscores the importance of placing one's trust in God, whose word and promises are eternal. The imagery of withering also serves as a call to repentance and a return to righteousness, as it often accompanies warnings of divine judgment.

Practical Application

For believers, the biblical theme of withering encourages a focus on spiritual growth and the cultivation of a life that is deeply rooted in faith. It serves as a reminder to prioritize eternal values over temporal concerns and to seek nourishment from God's word, which sustains and strengthens the soul. The imagery of withering also invites reflection on the areas of life that may be spiritually dry or in need of renewal, prompting a return to the living water that Christ offers.5352. phthinoporinos -- autumnal
... From derivative of phthino (to wane; akin to the base of phtheiro) and opora (meaning
late autumn); autumnal (as stripped of leaves) -- whose fruit withereth. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5352.htm - 6k

A Cry of Comfort for Jerusalem
... All flesh is grass, And all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field:
The grass withereth, The flower fadeth, Because the breath of the LORD ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/a cry of comfort for.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, John v. 2, "Now There is in Jerusalem ...
... Evangelical testimony, for it is read in the Gospel; "All flesh is grass, and all
the glory of flesh as the flower of grass; the grass withereth, the flower ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lxxiv on the words.htm

Great Voices from Heaven
... All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field:
7. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the Lord ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/great voices from heaven.htm

The Withering Work of the Spirit
... All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field:
the grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the Spirit of the Lord ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the withering work of the.htm

A Specimen of a Catechetical Address; and First, the Case of a ...
... The grass withereth, the flower thereof falleth away; but the word of the Lord endureth
for ever.' [1429] Consequently, if any man longs for true rest and true ...
/.../augustine/on the catechising of the uninstructed/chapter 16 a specimen of a.htm

The Preaching of Nature.
... All flesh is grass, and all the goodness thereof as the flower of the field: the
grass withereth, the flower fadeth; because the Spirit of the Lord bloweth ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon l the preaching of.htm

The Comforter
... The grass withereth, the flower fadeth; because the Spirit of the Lord bloweth upon
it." I think it does people harm to hear this awful and almighty being, I ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xiv the comforter.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 Loved Ones Chastened
... ungodly man flourishes like a green bay tree; behold, he stretcheth out his roots
by the river: he knoweth not the year of drought; his leaf withereth not; and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the loved ones chastened.htm

On the Same Words, John i. "In the Beginning was the Word," Etc.
... "All flesh is grass, and all the glory of flesh is as the flower of grass. The
grass withereth, the flower falleth away." Wouldest thou endure? ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lxix on the same.htm

Withereth (13 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Withereth (13 Occurrences). 1 ... grass. The grass withereth,
and the flower thereof falleth away: (KJV ASV WBS). ...
/w/withereth.htm - 10k

Withers (20 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Job 14:2 He cometh forth like a flower, and withereth; he fleeth
also as a shadow, and continueth not. (See NAS RSV NIV). ...
/w/withers.htm - 11k

Withered (46 Occurrences)
... of soul, spiritual impotence, a low condition of spiritual life, a lack of moral
nourishment: "My heart is smitten like grass, and withereth" (Psalm 102:4 ...
/w/withered.htm - 22k

Falleth (119 Occurrences)
... James 1:11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth
the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it ...
/f/falleth.htm - 37k

Fadeth (9 Occurrences)
... (See JPS). Isaiah 40:7 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit
of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS) ...
/f/fadeth.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

Flowers (42 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 40:7 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth; because the breath of the
LORD bloweth upon it--surely the people is grass. (See NIV). ...
/f/flowers.htm - 22k

Uncropt (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Uncropt (1 Occurrence). Job 8:12 While it 'is' in its
budding -- uncropt, Even before any herb it withereth. (YLT). ...
/u/uncropt.htm - 6k

Uncut (5 Occurrences)
... up in flames. (BBE). Job 8:12 While it 'is' in its budding -- uncropt, Even
before any herb it withereth. (See NIV). Jeremiah 49:9 ...
/u/uncut.htm - 8k

Goings (42 Occurrences)
... James 1:11 For the sun ariseth with the scorching wind, and withereth the grass:
and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth ...
/g/goings.htm - 22k

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