of uncertain derivation; an unripe (because out of season) fig:--untimely fig.
Transliteration:ólynthos
Pronunciation:ol'-oon-thos
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun ὄλυνθος (ólynthos, `{{G3653}}`) refers specifically to an "untimely fig" or an "unripe fig." The core meaning emphasizes two key aspects: its state of being unripe and its premature falling. Unlike a fig that matures naturally, an ὄλυνθος is a fig that drops from the tree before it has ripened, often due to adverse conditions such as a strong wind or a lack of proper nourishment. This suggests a fig that is "out of season" or has failed to reach its full potential, falling prematurely. The term captures the imagery of something that should have developed further but was cut short, resulting in an incomplete or aborted fruit.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word ὄλυνθος occurs only once in the New Testament, found in the apocalyptic vision of Revelation:
* **[[Revelation 6:13]]**: "And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind."
In this passage, ὄλυνθος is used as a vivid simile to describe the falling of the stars during the breaking of the Sixth Seal. The imagery depicts a cosmic catastrophe where celestial bodies are dislodged from their positions with the same suddenness, abundance, and inevitability that unripe figs fall from a tree violently shaken by a powerful wind. The comparison highlights several aspects:
1. **Suddenness and Force:** Just as a mighty wind abruptly dislodges the figs, so too do the stars fall with terrifying speed and power.
2. **Abundance:** The image suggests a multitude of stars falling, akin to the numerous unripe figs that can be shaken from a tree.
3. **Irreversibility:** Once the unripe figs fall, they cannot be reattached or ripened. Similarly, the falling stars signify an irreversible cosmic upheaval.
4. **Premature/Untimely:** The use of "untimely figs" (ὄλυνθος) emphasizes that this is not a natural, gradual process of decay but a forceful, premature disruption of the cosmic order. It suggests a collapse that is not according to the usual course of events, but an abrupt and violent termination.
This single occurrence powerfully contributes to the dramatic and terrifying depiction of God's judgment and the unfolding of end-time events.
### Related Words & Concepts
To fully appreciate ὄλυνθος, it is helpful to consider related terms and broader biblical concepts:
* **συκῆ (sykē, `{{G4808}}`):** This is the general Greek word for "fig tree," frequently mentioned in the Gospels and other New Testament books, often in parables or as a symbol of Israel.
* **σῦκον (sykon, `{{G4810}}`):** This refers to the ripe "fig" fruit itself. The contrast between σῦκον (ripe, edible) and ὄλυνθος (unripe, fallen) underscores the specific nature of the latter.
* **Figs in Biblical Symbolism:** Fig trees and their fruit often symbolize prosperity, peace, and divine blessing (e.g., [[1 Kings 4:25]], [[Micah 4:4]]). Conversely, their barrenness or the failure of their fruit can symbolize judgment, desolation, or spiritual unfruitfulness (e.g., [[Jeremiah 8:13]], [[Hosea 9:10]], [[Matthew 21:19]]). The ὄλυνθος specifically evokes the idea of a failed or aborted harvest, aligning with themes of judgment.
* **Cosmic Upheaval:** The imagery of falling stars is part of a broader biblical motif of the heavens being shaken or dissolving as a sign of divine judgment or the end of an age (e.g., [[Isaiah 13:10]], [[Joel 2:30-31]], [[Matthew 24:29]]). ὄλυνθος provides a potent, earthy metaphor for this celestial chaos.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ὄλυνθος in [[Revelation 6:13]] is profound, contributing to the understanding of divine judgment and eschatological events:
1. **Divine Sovereignty in Judgment:** The image of the stars falling like ὄλυνθος underscores God's absolute sovereignty over creation, even its most fundamental and seemingly stable elements. The heavens themselves are subject to His will and instruments of His judgment.
2. **Irreversibility of Judgment:** The premature and forceful falling of the figs signifies an irreversible state. Once fallen, they are lost. Similarly, the cosmic events described under the Sixth Seal represent a definitive and unalterable phase of judgment, leading to the ultimate consummation of history.
3. **The Untimely Nature of End-Time Events:** The "untimely" aspect of the fig suggests that these catastrophic events are not part of a natural, expected progression but are divinely orchestrated disruptions that come suddenly and without warning, catching the inhabitants of the earth unprepared. It emphasizes the unexpected and overwhelming nature of God's intervention.
4. **A Sign of the End:** The cosmic signs, including the falling stars, are clear indicators that the established order is collapsing, signaling the imminent return of Christ and the ushering in of God's eternal kingdom. The ὄλυνθος serves as a visceral metaphor for this cataclysmic transition.
### Summary
The Greek word ὄλυνθος (ólynthos, `{{G3653}}`) precisely denotes an "untimely fig" or an "unripe fig" that falls prematurely from its tree. Its singular but highly impactful occurrence in [[Revelation 6:13]] provides a powerful simile for the falling of the stars during the Sixth Seal judgment. This imagery conveys the sudden, widespread, and irreversible nature of cosmic upheaval, likened to a fig tree violently shaken by a mighty wind. Theologically, ὄλυνθος underscores God's sovereign control over creation, the definitive character of divine judgment, and the unexpected, cataclysmic manner in which the current age will conclude. It is a vivid and precise term that enhances the dramatic portrayal of eschatological events in the book of Revelation.
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