ὄλυνθος (olunthos)
olunthos
late fig
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun olunthos refers to a specific type of fruit: an unripe fig that develops during the winter but fails to mature before falling off in the spring. This term appears only once in the New Testament, located in Revelation 6:13 within the vivid imagery of the sixth seal.
Its meaning is defined by this incomplete lifecycle. The sources note that while the fig grows through the cold months, it never reaches ripeness and is shed prematurely. This detail provides a concrete image for the cosmic shaking described in the passage, where stars fall from the sky like olunthoi being shaken loose from their tree.
The word’s etymology remains uncertain, but its usage here is precise. It captures a sense of fragility and premature loss, reinforcing the apocalyptic tone of creation unraveling rather than offering a general metaphor for immaturity.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word olunthos describes a late fig that forms in winter but never ripens, falling from the branch prematurely when shaken by strong winds. In Revelation 6:13, this specific image illustrates the cosmic upheaval of the sixth seal, where stars fall like these unripe fruits. It captures a sense of fragility and sudden loss, reinforcing the apocalyptic tone of creation unraveling under divine judgment.
For your faith, this imagery reminds us that God holds all things, even the fragile and seemingly insignificant parts of creation. When the world feels unstable or when you face unexpected losses, remember that no detail escapes His notice. This passage does not leave us in fear but points to the sovereignty of Christ, who remains steadfast while everything else shakes.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- unripe figs1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὀλύνθους1×
Key Verses
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Revelation of John 6:13
The stars of the sky fell to the earth, like a fig tree dropping its unripe figs when it is shaken by a great wind.
The word appears here to describe stars falling like unripe figs shaken from a tree, emphasizing the suddenness and fragility of cosmic judgment.