Bible Dictionary
Fig, Fig Tree
The fig tree was common in Palestine and produced fruit before its leaves. Sitting under one’s own fig tree became a biblical picture of peace and prosperity; its fruit was an important article of food.
Definition
The fig tree, Ficus carica, was a common Palestinian tree producing a pear-shaped fruit valued for its sweetness and food. Its fruit appeared before its leaves, and it could grow especially well in sunny ravines such as those around Olivet.
Biblical Usage
To sit under one’s own vine and fig tree became a proverb for peace and prosperity. Jesus expected fruit from a fig tree that displayed leaves, since the fruit normally appeared first.
Historical Background
Mount Olivet was noted for fig trees. Although the usual summer crop was gathered in May or June, sheltered trees could bear eatable young figs earlier.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Smith's Bible Dictionary
The fig tree (Ficus carica) is very common in Palestine. (8:8) Mount Olivet was famous for its fig trees in ancient times, and they are still found there. To “sit under one’s own vine and one’s own fig tree” became a proverbial expression among the Jews to denote peace and prosperity. (1 Kings 4:25; Micah 4:4; Zechariah 3:10) The fig is a pear-shaped fruit, and is much used by the Orientals for food. The young figs are especially prized for their sweetness and flavor. The fruit always appears before the leaves; so that when Christ saw leaves on the fig tree by the wayside, (Mark 11:13) he had a right to expect fruit. The usual summer crop of fruits is not gathered till May or June; but in the sunny ravines of Olivet fig trees could have ripe fruit some weeks earlier (Dr. Thomson), and it was not strange so early as Easter Christ might find the young eatable figs, although it was not the usual season for gathering the fruit.