fig

Two types of fig trees are mentioned in the Bible, the Common Fig Ficus carica (Hebrew te’enah) and the Sycomore Fig Ficus sycomorus (Hebrew shiqmah; see “Sycomore fig”). They are closely related. The common fig tree grows not only in Israel, but throughout the world in warm climates. In the Holy Land it was a common source of food; the fruit was eaten both fresh and dried. Sometimes the dried ones were pressed together to form flat “cakes” or blocks (Hebrew develah). But, just as important, the large leaves of the fig make it an excellent shade tree. However, the first use of the fig mentioned in the Bible (Genesis 3:7) was not for food or shade but for clothing; Adam and Eve sewed fig leaves for themselves to cover their nakedness.

The fig was probably domesticated in northwestern Turkey from a wild variety that grew there around 5000 years ago. Greek, Roman, and Egyptian records indicate that the fruits were popular. Figs are now grown especially in Israel, Turkey, Greece, Italy, and Portugal, as well as in the warm parts of the United States.

The fig is believed to be indigenous to western Asia and to have been distributed by humans and birds throughout the Mediterranean area. Remnants of figs have been found in excavations of sites traced to at least 5000 B.C.

The domesticated fig grows to about 5-8 meters (17-26 feet) and has a round crown and very deep and round roots. The trunk may grow to be more than 70 centimeters (2 feet) thick. Fig trees may grow to be several decades old, if they are well cared for. Figs are usually propagated by planting cuttings. The pollination of the flowers is an amazingly intricate process closely linked to the life cycle of a tiny wasp, and the fact that fig trees, like papayas and date palms, are male or female. (There are now some kinds of figs that produce fruit without pollination.) The fruits are about the size of a hen’s egg and can be green, yellow, purple, or brown depending on the type. They are sweet and soft and difficult to transport. For that reason most farmers dry the fruits before shipping them. The “fruit” of the fig is technically a strangely shaped flower. Noting the absence of a “real” flower, the ancient people of India called it a flowerless tree.

The common fig tree, along with the vine and the olive, is one of the three “top trees” for the Jews. The Bible refers to the fig over 270 times. The image of peace and happiness in Israel was “every man under his vine and under his fig tree” (1 Kings 4:25).

Wild figs are common throughout the tropical world; there are at least eight hundred species of Ficus, thirty-two in southern Africa alone. The banyan, peepul, and bo are all types of fig. The fruits of wild fig trees are not nearly as juicy or sweet as those of the domesticated ones. In many places people eat the fruit when they find it in the wild, but do not market it or cultivate the trees. Translators are urged to use the local word, and, if necessary, use a footnote to indicate the difference between the local one and the biblical one. Where it is not known at all, transliterations from a major language may be used in nonfigurative contexts.

Fig tree, Wikimedia Commons
Fig leaves, photo by Ray Pritz

Source: Each According to its Kind: Plants and Trees in the Bible (UBS Helps for Translators)

In Cherokee it is translated as “apple-like” (source: Bender / Belt 2025, p. 18).

Translation commentary on Jeremiah 24:1

After Nebuchadrezzar … to Babylon: In Hebrew this verse begins with the portion of the sentence rendered by Revised Standard Version as the LORD showed me this vision …. Revised Standard Version, however, has placed the setting of the vision first. Good News Translation puts this material in parentheses after describing the vision. But in many languages a more natural way to say this is “King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia took from Jerusalem into captivity Jehoiakim’s son King Jehoichin of Judah, the leaders of Judah, the craftsmen and the skilled metalworkers. After that [had happened], the LORD showed me a vision.”

Nebuchadrezzar is “Nebuchadnezzar” in Good News Translation (see 21.2).

Jeconiah is “Jehoiachin” in Good News Translation (see 22.24, where Revised Standard Version has “Coniah”).

Princes is best taken with the more general meaning of “leaders” (Good News Translation) or “officers” (Revised English Bible), since these would not necessarily have been the sons of kings (see 1.18).

Craftsmen is rendered “artisans” by An American Translation, New American Bible, and New International Version. Elsewhere in Jeremiah the word is found in 10.3, 9; 29.2. In 10.3, however, it applies to woodworkers, whereas here it seems to be a general term. “Skilled workers” is one possibility.

The meaning of the word rendered smiths (Good News Translation, New American Bible “skilled workers”) is uncertain. The Septuagint has “prisoners,” with the addition “and the wealthy.” Revised English Bible has “smiths,” with the alternative “the harem.” Both Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch and Traduction œcuménique de la Bible suggest persons similar to those in an army corps of engineers. The noun is used again in 29.2. Elsewhere in the Old Testament it is found in 2 Kgs 24.14, 16; it also occurs in Psa 142.7; Isa 24.22; 42.7, where Revised Standard Version renders “prison” or “dungeon.” One standard Hebrew dictionary gives the meaning as “builder of bulwarks and trenches,” while another has the meaning “metal-worker, fitter.” Most translators follow this second meaning, normally saying “metalworker.”

The LORD showed me this vision: Showed … this vision translates a single word in Hebrew, a verb that means “cause [someone] to see [something]” (see Good News Translation “The LORD showed me…”). Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch retains the idea of a vision, saying “The Lord showed me in a vision….” However, scholarly opinion is sharply divided, and no final judgment may be made whether Jeremiah is describing an actual experience or a vision. Luther 1984, New International Version, New American Bible, An American Translation, and Traduction œcuménique de la Bible have the equivalent of “showed me,” while New Jerusalem Bible and New Living Translation state plainly that it was a vision. Translators may say either “The LORD showed me” or “The LORD showed me a vision of.”

For Behold see 1.6.

Two baskets of figs placed before the temple of the LORD: The word rendered baskets is used of a deep, two-handled cooking pot (see 1Sam 2.14, where Revised Standard Version has “kettle”), but it is also used of a basket (2Kgs 10.7). In languages where baskets are unknown, translators can use a general term such as “container for fruit.” For figs see 5.17 and the discussion on the heading for this section. The baskets of figs were placed before the temple. This is a passive construction that does not indicate who placed them there. It may be more natural to say “There were two baskets of figs in front of the temple.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Jeremiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2003. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .