### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word **sŷkon**, represented by `{{G4810}}`, is a primary word for **a fig**. It appears **4 times** across **4 unique verses** in the Bible. While a simple word for a fruit, its usage is primarily metaphorical, often employed in agricultural analogies to illustrate principles of spiritual truth and discernment.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In scripture, `{{G4810}}` is consistently used to represent a good and expected product from a proper source. In both Matthew and Luke, it appears in rhetorical questions emphasizing that one cannot gather **figs** from unsuitable plants like thorns or thistles ([[Matthew 7:16]], [[Luke 6:44]]). This illustrates the teaching that a person or doctrine is known by its results. James uses a similar analogy, asking if a vine can produce **figs** to highlight the inconsistency of a single source producing both good and evil [[James 3:12]]. The only literal use is in Mark's Gospel, where Jesus looks for fruit on a fig tree, but it was not the "time of **figs**" [[Mark 11:13]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words clarify the context in which **figs** are mentioned:
* `{{G4808}}` **syké** (a fig-tree): This is the direct source of the fig. It is used alongside `{{G4810}}` to teach that a specific tree is expected to bear its corresponding fruit, as a fig tree cannot bear olive berries [[James 3:12]].
* `{{G4718}}` **staphylḗ** (grapes): This word is often used in parallel with figs to make the same point about sources and outcomes. Just as one does not gather **figs** from thistles, one does not gather **grapes** from thorns ([[Matthew 7:16]], [[Luke 6:44]]).
* `{{G173}}` **ákantha** (a thorn): This represents a corrupt or inappropriate source. Scripture makes it clear that one cannot gather good fruit like **figs** from thorns, establishing a foundational principle of spiritual discernment ([[Matthew 7:16]], [[Luke 6:44]]).
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{G4810}}` is found in its use as a clear, tangible illustration of spiritual principles.
* **Fruit as Evidence:** The most common use of **figs** is to teach that the nature of a source is revealed by its output. Good fruit, like **figs**, can only come from a good source, which is a key test for identifying true and false teachers ([[Matthew 7:16]], [[Luke 6:44]]).
* **The Principle of Incompatibility:** James uses the impossibility of a vine producing **figs** to argue that a believer's speech should be consistent. A single fountain cannot produce both salt water and fresh, just as a single tree cannot produce two different kinds of fruit [[James 3:12]].
* **Divine Expectation:** In Mark's narrative, the search for **figs** on a fig tree, even out of season, points to an expectation of fruitfulness. The tree had the appearance of life (leaves) but lacked fruit, serving as a lesson on the danger of profession without genuine spiritual product [[Mark 11:13]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{G4810}}` is more than just the name for a fruit. Though used sparingly, the **fig** serves as a potent symbol in biblical teaching. It consistently represents the good and desirable "fruit" that is the natural product of a healthy source. Its use in scripture provides a memorable and practical illustration for discerning truth from error, understanding the nature of spiritual integrity, and recognizing God's expectation of genuine fruitfulness in the lives of believers.
TRV