from the base of ξέστης (through the idea of scorching); arid; by implication, shrunken, earth (as opposed to water):--dry land, withered.
Transliteration:xērós
Pronunciation:xay-ros'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek adjective ξηρός (xērós), Strong's `{{G3584}}`, fundamentally denotes a state of "dryness" or "aridity." Derived from a root suggesting scorching or intense heat, its primary semantic range encompasses the absence of moisture. This core meaning extends to several key implications:
1. **Physical Dryness:** Most literally, it describes land that is devoid of water, contrasting with seas or bodies of water. This is the "dry land" aspect.
2. **Biological Witheredness:** By implication, ξηρός refers to living things (plants, limbs) that have lost their moisture, shriveled, or withered due to lack of vitality or disease. This signifies a state of decay, unfruitfulness, or disability.
3. **Metaphorical Barrenness:** Beyond the literal, ξηρός can be used metaphorically to describe a state of spiritual barrenness, lifelessness, or unrighteousness, often contrasted with "green" or "living" states.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ξηρός appears in the New Testament with significant contextual variations:
1. **Physical "Dry Land":**
* In [[Matthew 23:15]], Jesus condemns the Pharisees for their zealous proselytizing, crossing "sea and dry land" (ξηρὰν) to make a single convert, only to make him twice as much a child of hell. Here, ξηρός simply denotes land as opposed to water, emphasizing the extent of their efforts.
* [[Hebrews 11:29]] describes the Israelites crossing the Red Sea "as through dry land" (ξηρᾶς). This highlights the miraculous nature of the event, where God transformed an impassable watery barrier into a solid, traversable path, demonstrating divine power over creation.
2. **"Withered" (Biological/Physical Decay):**
* The most prominent usage is in reference to a "withered hand" (χεῖρα ξηράν) in the Gospels: [[Matthew 12:10]], [[Matthew 12:13]]; [[Mark 3:1]], [[Mark 3:3]], [[Mark 3:5]]; [[Luke 6:6]], [[Luke 6:8]], [[Luke 6:10]]. This condition describes a hand that has lost its strength, mobility, and vitality, symbolizing a state of physical disability or spiritual paralysis. Jesus' healing of the withered hand demonstrates his authority to restore life and function, overcoming the effects of decay and sin.
* In [[John 5:3]], [[John 5:5]], [[John 5:6]] (with some textual variations regarding verse 4), the term describes sick people waiting by the pool of Bethesda, specifically those who were "withered" (ξηρῶν), implying a chronic condition of physical decay or paralysis.
3. **Metaphorical "Dry Tree/Wood":**
* [[Luke 23:31]] records Jesus' poignant question while on the way to the crucifixion: "For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?" (ἐν τῷ ὑγρῷ ξύλῳ ταῦτα ποιοῦσιν, ἐν τῷ ξηρῷ τί γένηται;). Here, ξηρός is contrasted with ὑγρός (hygros - green, moist, alive). The "green wood" metaphorically refers to Christ himself, full of life and righteousness, while the "dry wood" represents the spiritually barren, unrighteous, or those ripe for divine judgment.
* Similarly, [[1 Peter 4:18]] uses a related concept, "If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" This verse often draws a parallel to the "dry tree" imagery, implying that if even the "green wood" (the righteous who suffer) faces trials, how much more severe will be the judgment on the "dry wood" (the ungodly).
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of ξηρός intersects with several other biblical words and theological concepts:
* **Antonyms/Contrasts:**
* ὑγρός (hygros - wet, green, moist) `{{G5200}}`: Directly contrasted in [[Luke 23:31]], signifying life, vitality, and spiritual fruitfulness.
* ζάω (zaō - to live, be alive) `{{G2198}}`: The state of being ξηρός often implies a lack of life or vitality.
* πνεῦμα (pneuma - spirit, breath, wind) `{{G4151}}`: Often associated with life, regeneration, and spiritual vitality, contrasting with the dryness of spiritual death.
* **Synonyms/Related Concepts:**
* ἀποξηραίνω (apoxērainō - to dry up, wither away) `{{G629}}`: The verb form of the concept, denoting the process of becoming dry or withered.
* μαραίνω (marainō - to wither, fade) `{{G3139}}`: Another verb describing the process of decay and loss of vitality.
* ἀκαρπία (akarpias - unfruitfulness) `{{G175}}`: A state of barrenness, often a spiritual consequence of being "dry."
* Concepts of barrenness, spiritual death, judgment, and the absence of divine blessing.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ξηρός is multifaceted:
1. **Divine Sovereignty over Creation:** The concept of "dry land" in [[Hebrews 11:29]] underscores God's absolute power to manipulate creation for His redemptive purposes, turning the impossible into a path for His people. This echoes the original act of creation where dry land emerged from the waters.
2. **Human Condition and Spiritual Barrenness:** The "withered hand" serves as a powerful metaphor for humanity's fallen state—a condition of spiritual paralysis, inability to perform good works, or a lack of spiritual vitality. It symbolizes the effects of sin and disease that render individuals helpless and unproductive.
3. **Christ's Healing and Restoration:** Jesus' healing of the withered hand demonstrates his divine authority to restore life, function, and spiritual wholeness. He overcomes the ξηρός state, bringing vitality and renewed purpose. This points to the regenerative power of the Gospel.
4. **Judgment and Righteousness:** The "dry wood" metaphor in [[Luke 23:31]] and implicitly in [[1 Peter 4:18]] carries profound eschatological weight. It distinguishes between those who are spiritually alive and fruitful (the "green wood," representing Christ and the righteous) and those who are spiritually barren and deserving of judgment (the "dry wood," representing the ungodly). The severity of judgment is proportional to one's spiritual state. This imagery highlights the consequences of rejecting Christ, leading to a state of spiritual barrenness that is ripe for the fires of divine justice.
### Summary
The Greek word ξηρός (xērós), Strong's `{{G3584}}`, conveys a rich semantic range from literal "dryness" of land to the profound metaphorical "witheredness" of human spiritual condition. It highlights God's power in creation and redemption, transforming impassable waters into dry paths. More significantly, it functions as a potent symbol of decay, disability, and spiritual barrenness in humanity, often contrasted with the vitality and fruitfulness of Christ and the righteous. The healing of the withered hand by Jesus demonstrates His power to restore life and overcome spiritual paralysis. Ultimately, the imagery of "dry wood" serves as a stark warning of judgment for the ungodly, standing in stark contrast to the life-giving presence of the "green wood" (Christ). Thus, ξηρός encapsulates themes of divine sovereignty, human fallenness, divine restoration, and eschatological judgment.
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