What is…
fruit

This word is sometimes used in Scripture to denote produce in general (vegetable or animal), specific fruits and metaphoric fruit.

Hebrew and Greek words

Hebrew: פְרִי —transliteration: peri

Hebrew: אֵב —transliteration: eb

Hebrew: תְּנוּבָה —transliteration: tenubah

Greek: καρπὸν —transliteration: karpon

Greek: καρπός —transliteration: karpos

Greek: καρποφοροῦσιν —transliteration: karpophorousin —meaning: bring forth fruit

Greek: καρποφορέω —transliteration: karpophoreó —meaning: to bear fruit

Fruit of the land

The Hebrews divided the fruits of the land into 3 classes:

  1. The fruit of the field, “corn-fruit” (Hebrew: dagan)—all kinds of grain and pulse.

  2. The fruit of the vine, “vintage-fruit” (Hebrew: tirosh)—grapes, whether moist or dried.

  3. “Orchard-fruits” (Hebrew: yitshar)—such as dates, figs, citrons, etc.

    See: Agriculture of the Bible

Injunctions concerning offerings and tithes were expressed by these Hebrew terms alone (Numbers 18:12; Deuteronomy 14:23).

Offspring

The word “fruit” is also used in reference to children or offspring (Genesis 30:2; Deuteronomy 7:13; Luke 1:42; Psalm 21:10; 132:11), and also of the progeny of beasts (Deuteronomy 28:51; Isaiah 14:29).

Metaphoric fruit

The word “fruit” is used metaphorically in a variety of forms (Psalm 104:13; Proverbs 1:31; 11:30; 31:16; Isaiah 3:10; 10:12; Matthew 3:8; 21:41; 26:29; Hebrews 13:15; Romans 7:4-5; 15:28).

The fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 5:9; James 3:17-18) are those gracious dispositions and habits which the Spirit produces in those in whom He dwells and works.

Good Christian fruits include…

ALSO SEE

Article Version: June 6, 2019