"to dry up, parch, Jas. 1:11; pass. to be parched, Mt. 13:6, et al.; to be ripened as corn, Rev. 14:15; to be withered, to wither, Mk. 11:20; of parts of the body, to be withered, Mk. 3:1, 3; to pine, Mk. 9:18"
Definition and meaning
to dry up, parch, Jas. 1:11; pass. to be parched, Mt. 13:6, et al.; to be ripened as corn, Rev. 14:15; to be withered, to wither, Mk. 11:20; of parts of the body, to be withered, Mk. 3:1, 3; to pine, Mk. 9:18
In the original Greek the word is written: χηραίνω
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of xeraino (G3583) across the King James Bible.
And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.
And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!
And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand.
And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth.
But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.
And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.
And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.
And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.
And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.
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Common questions
Strong's G3583 (xeraino) is a Greek word that means: to dry up, parch, Jas. 1:11; pass. to be parched, Mt. 13:6, et al.; to be ripened as corn, Rev. 14:15; to be withered, to wither, Mk. 11:20; of parts of the body, to be withered, Mk. 3:1, 3; to pine, ... It appears 16 times in the King James Bible.
The word xeraino (G3583) appears 16 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G3583 is xeraino, a Greek word defined as: to dry up, parch, Jas. 1:11; pass. to be parched, Mt. 13:6, et al.; to be ripened as corn, Rev. 14:15; to be withered, to wither, Mk. 11:20; of parts . James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
xeraino is a Greek word found in the New Testament.