The Hebrew word used for Fig in Genesis and elsewhere is "t'aynah". This word is used in references to the Fig tree itself. There are four other words for Fig in the scriptures referring not to the tree, but to the stages or conditions of the fruit: "t'anim" - refers to the fruit in general; ""pag" or "pageha" refers to the green or unripened fruit that remains on the tree throughout the winter; "bikkûrah" or "bi'kurah" is the "firstripe" or "early Fig"; and "debelah" or "d'velet" is used when referring to a cake of dried Figs.

The Fig tree has a very peculiar type of fruit, known as a syconium, which varies from round to nearly conical depending on the variety. The fruit is attached by the narrow end, like a pear, to the branches. The flowers are numerous and small.

Normally two crops of Figs are produced each year, the winter Figs and the summer Figs. Often when the summer Figs are just starting, some ripe winter Figs may still be found.

One very unique aspect of the Fig tree is that is puts out its earliest fruit-buds before its leaves. By the time the leaves are out one would expect that the fruit should be ripe, which helps us to understand why Jesus cursed the Fig tree in Matthew 21:18-19.

¹⁸Early in the morning, as he was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. ¹⁹Seeing a Fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, "May you never bear fruit again!" Immediately the tree withered.

This is often times a misunderstood portion of scripture. You can begin to understand Jesus' anger once you first understand that the Fig tree should have had fruit, if it had leaves. It is also important to recognize that this is also a metaphor for us as followers of Jesus Christ. Let's continue down this path and take a look at the parable in Luke 13:6-8.

⁶Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. ⁷So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, 'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this Fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?' ⁸"'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. ⁹If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.'"

In the Bible we are often referred to as "trees", and in this parable Jesus has used a "Fig tree", and he is disappointed that this "Fig tree" in his vineyard has not produced fruit. The Spiritual fruit referred to here can be found in Galatians 5:22-23.

²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

So, we should use this as a reminder to be fruitful in the spiritual context, and let our Christianity shine through.

¹⁸A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. ¹⁹Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ²⁰Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. - Matthew 7:18-20

In His service,