Word Study for G3583 (ξηραίνω)

xēraínō /xay-rah'-ee-no/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom ξηρός

Meaningto desiccate; by implication, to shrivel, to mature

KJV usagedry up, pine away, be ripe, wither (away).

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of xēraínō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word xēraínō, represented by G3583, primarily means to desiccate or dry up. It appears 16 times in 16 unique verses in the Bible. By implication, its meaning extends to concepts of shriveling, withering, pining away, or becoming mature and ripe.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, G3583 is used to describe both natural processes and supernatural events. It depicts the withering of plants that lack roots or moisture when scorched by the sun (Matthew 13:6, Luke 8:6). In a display of divine authority, Jesus causes a fig tree with no fruit to wither away instantly Matthew 21:19. The term is also applied to the human body, describing a man with a withered hand Mark 3:1 and the pining away of a boy afflicted by an unclean spirit Mark 9:18. In a positive sense, it signifies maturation, as when the harvest of the earth is declared ripe and ready to be reaped Revelation 14:15.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the meaning and context of G3583:

G2246 hḗlios (the sun): This is often the agent that causes withering. In the parable of the sower, seed that falls on rocky ground withers away when the sun comes up Mark 4:6. Similarly, the sun with its "burning heat" withereth the grass James 1:11.
G2390 iáomai (to heal): This word provides a direct contrast to the negative effects of withering. When the woman with the issue of blood is cured, the "fountain of her blood was dried up" G3583, and she feels in her body that she was healed of the plague Mark 5:29.
G5495 cheír (the hand): This word for hand is used to specify the part of the body afflicted in Mark's Gospel, where Jesus encounters a man in the synagogue with a withered hand Mark 3:1.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G3583 is significant, often used metaphorically to convey deeper spiritual truths.

The Transience of Human Life: The word illustrates the fleeting nature of humanity. Scripture states that "all flesh is as grass," and "the grass withereth" 1 Peter 1:24. The rich man is warned that he will "fade away" just as a flower withers under the sun's heat James 1:11.
Consequences of Spiritual Unfruitfulness: To be separated from Christ, the source of life, is to wither. A branch that does not abide in Him is cast forth and is withered, destined to be gathered and burned John 15:6. The fig tree that was cursed and withered away was barren of fruit Mark 11:21.
Divine Power and Judgment: The act of withering can be a sign of divine power or judgment. Jesus's curse on the fig tree demonstrates His authority over nature Matthew 21:20. In Revelation, an angel pours out a vial that causes the river Euphrates to be dried up to prepare the way for the kings of the east Revelation 16:12.

Summary

In summary, G3583 is a dynamic word that moves from the literal drying of a plant to the metaphorical withering of a person disconnected from God. It describes physical affliction, the natural cycle of life, and the ripeness of a harvest. Theologically, it serves as a powerful symbol of the temporary nature of earthly things, the stark reality of spiritual barrenness, and the ultimate authority of God over both creation and life itself.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb and an adjective across 16 occurrences, inflected in 6 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Aorist Passive Indicative 3rd Singular 10×
Perfect Passive Participle Accusative Singular Feminine 2×
Accusative Singular Feminine 1×
Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
Perfect Passive Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
Present Passive Indicative 3rd Singular 1×

Accusative: The direct object of the verb.
Singular: One.
Feminine: Feminine grammatical gender.
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present: Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Perfect: A completed act whose results continue.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Passive: The subject is acted upon.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 16 verses across 7 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Mark (7 verses); never once in the other 20.

Matthew

Mark

Luke

John

James

1 Peter

Revelation

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.