In the context of the Bible, the term "wilted" is often associated with the imagery of plants, flowers, or vegetation that have lost their vitality and strength. This imagery is used metaphorically to describe spiritual, moral, or physical decline. The concept of wilting is frequently employed in Scripture to illustrate the transient nature of human life and the consequences of turning away from God.

Biblical Imagery and Symbolism

1. Human Frailty and Mortality: The Bible often uses the imagery of wilting plants to emphasize the brevity and fragility of human life. In Isaiah 40:7-8 , it is written, "The grass withers, the flowers fall when the breath of the LORD blows on them; indeed, the people are grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever." This passage highlights the contrast between the temporary nature of human existence and the eternal nature of God's word.

2. Spiritual Decline: Wilting is also used to describe spiritual decline or the consequences of sin. In Psalm 1:3-4 , the righteous are compared to "a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does." In contrast, the wicked are likened to "chaff that the wind blows away," indicating a lack of spiritual vitality and stability.

3. Judgment and Consequences: The wilting of plants is sometimes used as a metaphor for divine judgment. In Joel 1:12 , the prophet describes a scene of devastation: "The vine has dried up, and the fig tree is withered; the pomegranate, palm, and apple—all the trees of the orchard—are withered. Surely the joy of mankind has dried up." This imagery serves as a warning of the consequences of disobedience and the resulting loss of joy and prosperity.

4. Restoration and Renewal: Despite the negative connotations of wilting, the Bible also offers hope for restoration and renewal. In Isaiah 35:1-2 , a promise of transformation is given: "The wilderness and the land will be glad; the desert will rejoice and blossom like a rose. It will bloom abundantly and even rejoice with joy and singing." This passage speaks to the power of God's redemption and the renewal of life and vitality.

Theological Implications

The imagery of wilting in the Bible serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the fleeting nature of earthly life. It calls believers to remain rooted in their faith, drawing sustenance from God's word and presence. The contrast between wilting and flourishing underscores the importance of spiritual health and the blessings that come from living in accordance with God's will.

Practical Application

For believers, the concept of wilting can serve as a call to self-examination and spiritual renewal. It encourages individuals to seek a deeper relationship with God, ensuring that their spiritual "leaves" remain vibrant and fruitful. By staying connected to the source of life, believers can avoid spiritual decline and experience the abundant life promised in Scripture.5968. alaph -- to cover
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to cover NASB Word Usage became faint (1), faint
(1), fainted (1), inlaid (1), wilted away (1), wrapped (1). ...
/hebrew/5968.htm - 6k

Suffocated Trees
... I am sure you and I know people who are like those dead trees: they have become
discouraged and wilted, and if you and I could dig down into their lives we ...
/.../chidley/fifty-two story talks to boys and girls/suffocated trees.htm

Jonah the Narrow-Minded Patriot
... So the gourd gave Jonah great pleasure; but at dawn the next day God prepared
a worm which injured the gourd, so that it wilted. ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/jonah the narrow-minded patriot.htm

Gideon's Fleece
... Dew is the symbol of divine grace, of the silently formed moisture which, coming
from no apparent source, freshens by night the wilted plants, and hangs in ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/gideons fleece.htm

Letter xxvii. To Marcella.
... yet, lest they should follow their usual habit and reproach me with superciliousness,
let them take my answer as follows: I am not so dull-wilted nor so ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xxvii to marcella.htm

Letter iii. True Religion a Work of Grace in the Heart; but it ...
... But as soon as the season arrives for the fruit to begin to grow, these fair blossoms
are withered and gone, and nothing remains but a dry and wilted stem. ...
/.../letter iii true religion a.htm

Troubles of Lingering at the Crossing
... At this Exactly wilted, dropped the sword, staggered toward his memorial stone,
and, lifting it to his shoulders, limped back toward the Jordan to cross and ...
/.../berry/adventures in the land of canaan/chapter four troubles of lingering.htm

The Prince Returns
... He raised his head and dropped it suddenly with great amazement and much weariness.
Finally he ventured to lift a wilted and fragile hand and looked at it. ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter xii the prince returns.htm

One Seed and Diverse Soils
... No moisture was to be drawn from the shelf of rock, and the sun was beating fiercely
down, so the feeble green stem drooped and was wilted. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/one seed and diverse soils.htm

The Children of the Poor.
... But the neglected infant has wilted into the premature man, with his old cunning
look, blending so fantastically, so mournfully, with the unformed features of ...
/.../chapin/humanity in the city/discourse vii the children of.htm

The Charge to the Soldier of the Lord
... The morning dawned upon the gourd in full vigour of growth, and in the
evening it was stretched yellow and wilted upon the turf. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the charge to the soldier.htm

Wilted (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Wilted (1 Occurrence). Ezekiel 31:15 This is what
the Lord has said: The day when he goes down to the underworld ...
/w/wilted.htm - 6k

Wily (2 Occurrences)

/w/wily.htm - 7k

Withered (46 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (imp. & pp) of Wither. 2. (a.) Faded; dried up; shriveled;
wilted; wasted; wasted away. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. WITHERED. ...
/w/withered.htm - 22k

Fresh (41 Occurrences)
... 3. (superl) Lately produced, gathered, or prepared for market; not stale; not dried
or preserved; not wilted, faded, or tainted; in good condition; as, fresh ...
/f/fresh.htm - 21k

Wilt (324 Occurrences)

/w/wilt.htm - 36k

Wilted: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus