ξηραίνω

Pronunciation Guide: kseh-rah’-ee-no

Quick Answer: ξηραίνω (xeraino) means “to dry up,” “to wither,” or “to make dry,” often describing both physical withering of plants and spiritual conditions where God’s power causes transformation through judgment or testing.

1. What Does ξηραίνω Mean?

Strong’s G3583: ξηραίνω fundamentally means “to make dry” or “to cause to wither.” This powerful Greek verb describes the process of removing moisture, vitality, or life-giving properties from something, whether literally or figuratively. In biblical contexts, it often depicts God’s sovereign power over creation, showing how He can cause physical plants to wither or spiritual conditions to change. The word carries both destructive and transformative implications, as withering can lead to death but also to necessary change and preparation for new growth.

Key Insight: ξηραίνω reveals God’s absolute sovereignty over all created things, demonstrating His power to transform through apparent destruction.

2. Where Does ξηραίνω Come From?

• Part of speech: Verb (present active infinitive)
• Root word: ξηρός (xeros) meaning “dry” or “withered”
• Language origin: Classical Greek
• Primary usage: Narrative and parabolic teaching sections, often in contexts of judgment or divine intervention

ξηραίνω Morphology:

This section helps you identify different forms of this verb when reading ancient Greek texts, enabling deeper engagement with the original language.

Morphology:

• ξηραίνω (present active infinitive) – to dry up, to wither
• ξηραίνει (present active indicative 3rd singular) – he/she/it dries up
• ξηράνθη (aorist passive indicative 3rd singular) – it was dried up
• ξηρανθῆναι (aorist passive infinitive) – to be dried up
• ξηραίνων (present active participle) – drying up, withering

3. What Is the History of ξηραίνω?

The verb ξηραίνω has its roots in classical Greek literature, where it was commonly used to describe natural processes of drying and withering. Greek poets like Homer employed the term to depict the effects of drought on vegetation and the natural world. The word carried connotations of loss of vitality and life force, making it a powerful metaphor for describing various states of decline or transformation.

In the Septuagint, ξηραίνω takes on heightened theological significance as it translates several Hebrew verbs related to withering and drying. The translators chose this Greek term to convey God’s power over creation, particularly in passages describing divine judgment or the temporary nature of human life compared to God’s eternal nature. The word appears in contexts where יהוה (Yahweh) demonstrates His sovereignty over the natural world.

Early church fathers like John Chrysostom and Augustine recognized the rich theological implications of ξηραίνω, using it in their commentaries to explain how God’s discipline and testing can appear destructive but ultimately serve His redemptive purposes. They understood that spiritual “withering” often precedes spiritual renewal and growth.

Historical Summary: ξηραίνω evolved from describing natural drying processes to becoming a powerful theological metaphor for God’s sovereign intervention in creation.

4. How Should ξηραίνω Be Translated?

• To dry up – The most literal rendering, emphasizing the removal of moisture
• To wither – Focusing on the loss of vitality and life
• To make dry – Emphasizing the causative action
• To shrivel up – Highlighting the physical transformation
• To cause to fade – Emphasizing the gradual loss of strength or beauty

Translation Tip: Context determines whether to emphasize the physical process (drying) or the spiritual/symbolic meaning (withering away).

ξηραίνω Translation Options:

• “To dry up” – Best when the focus is on literal moisture removal or gradual depletion
• “To wither” – Preferred when describing plants losing vitality or spiritual decline
• “To shrivel” – Appropriate when emphasizing the visible transformation and reduction
• “To parch” – Suitable when heat or judgment is the implied cause
• “To cause to fade” – Effective when the emphasis is on gradual loss of strength or beauty

5. How Is ξηραίνω Used in the Bible?

Throughout the New Testament, ξηραίνω appears in contexts that demonstrate God’s power over creation and His ability to bring about transformation through apparent destruction. The Messiah Jesus uses this verb in His parables and teachings to illustrate spiritual truths about faith, judgment, and the temporary nature of worldly things. The word often appears in agricultural metaphors, where withering represents either divine discipline or the natural consequence of being separated from the source of life.

In the Septuagint, ξηραίνω translates Hebrew concepts related to drought, judgment, and the fragility of human life. The psalmists and prophets employ this imagery to contrast human frailty with God’s eternal nature, showing how what appears permanent can quickly fade when God withdraws His sustaining power. The word serves as a powerful reminder of humanity’s dependence on divine grace and provision.

The verb consistently appears in contexts where divine power is demonstrated, whether through miraculous healings, judgments upon the wicked, or illustrations of spiritual principles. This usage pattern reveals that withering and drying are not merely natural processes but can be instruments of God’s sovereign will.

Usage Summary: ξηराίνω consistently appears in biblical contexts demonstrating God’s sovereign power over creation, often illustrating spiritual truths through physical transformation.

Cross-Reference Verses:

• “But when the sun had risen, they were scorched [ξηραίνω]; and because they had no root, they withered away.” Matthew 13:6
• “And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves only; and He said to it, ‘No longer shall there ever be any fruit from you.’ And at once the fig tree withered [ξηραίνω].” Matthew 21:19
• “As they were passing by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered [ξηραίνω] from the roots up.” Mark 11:20
• “And immediately his hand was restored. But they were filled with rage, and discussed together what they might do to Jesus.” Luke 6:10 (Note: The withered [ξηραίνω] hand was mentioned earlier in the narrative)
• “For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers [ξηराίνω] the grass; its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away.” James 1:11
• “For ‘All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers [ξηराίνω], and the flower falls off.’” 1 Peter 1:24

6. What Cultural Context Surrounds ξηराίνω?

In the agricultural society of the first-century Holy Land, the concept of withering held immediate and profound meaning for Jesus’ audience. The Holy Land’s climate featured distinct wet and dry seasons, making the process of plants drying up a familiar sight. Farmers understood that without adequate water and proper root systems, even the most promising plants would quickly succumb to the scorching Mediterranean sun. This natural phenomenon provided the Messiah with a powerful teaching tool that His listeners could immediately visualize and understand.

The cultural significance of withering extended beyond agriculture into spiritual and religious imagery. Jewish literature, including the Hebrew Scriptures, frequently used plant imagery to describe spiritual conditions. A withered plant symbolized separation from God’s life-giving presence, while flourishing vegetation represented divine blessing and spiritual vitality. This Hebrew idiom of comparing human life to grass that withers resonated deeply with Jewish audiences who understood their dependence on יהוה (Yahweh) for both physical and spiritual sustenance.

Cultural Context: In agricultural the Holy Land, withering was a vivid daily reality that provided immediate understanding of spiritual separation from God’s life-giving presence.

7. What Does ξηराίνω Teach Us About God?

The use of ξηराίνω in Scripture reveals profound truths about God’s character and His sovereign power over all creation. When the Messiah Jesus caused the fig tree to wither with just a word, He demonstrated divine authority that extends over the natural world, showing that He possesses the same creative and destructive power as His Father. This miracle wasn’t merely a display of supernatural ability but a revelation of His divine nature and His authority to bring judgment upon fruitlessness and hypocrisy.

The theological implications of ξηראίνω also reveal God’s justice and righteousness. Just as withering can result from being cut off from life-giving sources, spiritual withering occurs when individuals or nations separate themselves from God through rebellion and sin. Yet this same power that can cause withering is also the power that can restore and heal, as demonstrated when Jesus healed the man with the withered hand. This duality shows that God’s judgments are always purposeful, designed to bring about repentance, restoration, and ultimately, glorification of His holy name.

Furthermore, ξηराίনω teaches us about the temporary nature of earthly things compared to God’s eternal nature. While human achievements, wealth, and even life itself can wither like grass, God’s love, righteousness, and promises remain steadfast forever. This contrast should lead us to place our confidence not in temporal things that can quickly fade, but in the unchanging character of our heavenly Father.

Theological Core: ξηราίνω reveals God’s sovereign power to judge and restore, demonstrating both His righteousness and His ultimate authority over creation.

8. How Can I Apply ξηराίνω to My Life?

Understanding ξηراίनω challenges us to examine our spiritual root system and our connection to the source of true life. Just as plants wither when separated from water and nutrients, our spiritual lives can become dry and lifeless when we drift away from intimate fellowship with God through prayer, Scripture study, and obedience to His Word. This word study encourages us to regularly assess whether we are drawing our strength from temporary, worldly sources that will eventually fail, or from the eternal wellspring of God’s grace and love.

The practical application of ξηराίνω also calls us to develop the kind of deep, resilient faith that can withstand life’s inevitable seasons of testing and difficulty. When trials come—and they will—we need roots that go deep into God’s character and promises, enabling us to remain spiritually vibrant even when external circumstances become challenging. Rather than fearing the withering process, we can trust that God sometimes allows temporary drying to prepare us for greater fruitfulness and to reveal areas where we need to depend more fully on Him.

Self-Examination Questions: What areas of my life might be withering due to lack of spiritual nourishment? How can I ensure my spiritual roots are drawing from God’s life-giving presence rather than temporary sources?

9. What Words Are Similar to ξηराίνω?

• μαραίνω (maraino) – mah-rah’-ee-no – To fade away or quench; differs from ξηराίνω by emphasizing gradual fading rather than drying up – See G3133
• καταξηραίνω (kataxeraino) – kat-ax-ay-rah’-ee-no – To dry up completely; an intensive form of ξηराίνω emphasizing total withering – See G2625
• ξηρός (xeros) – kay-ros’ – Dry, withered (adjective); the root word from which ξηराίνω is derived, describing the state rather than the process – See G3584
• αὐαίνω (auaino) – ow-ah’-ee-no – To dry up or parch; similar to ξηराίνω but often used of liquids evaporating – See G835
• φθίνω (phthino) – fthin’-o – To waste away or decay; differs from ξηराίνω by emphasizing gradual deterioration rather than drying – See G5351

10. Did You Know?

• What does ξηराίνω mean in modern Greek? In contemporary Greek, ξηραίνω still means “to dry” and is commonly used for everyday activities like drying clothes, hair, or dishes, maintaining its basic meaning across millennia.
• How did classical Greek writers use ξηराίνω? Homer used ξηराίνω in the Iliad to describe how the sun dried up marshlands, while Aristotle employed it in his scientific writings to explain natural processes of dehydration.
• What’s the difference between ξηराίνω and μαραίνω? While both involve loss of vitality, ξηराίνω specifically emphasizes the removal of moisture and life-giving elements, whereas μαραίνω focuses on gradual fading or quenching of light or fire.
• Why does Jesus use ξηراίνω when cursing the fig tree? The Messiah chose this specific verb to demonstrate His divine authority over creation and to provide a visual parable about spiritual fruitlessness and the consequences of religious hypocrisy.
• How does ξηराίνω relate to the concept of spiritual drought? The verb illustrates how separation from God’s life-giving presence results in spiritual barrenness, just as plants wither when cut off from water sources.
• What causes spiritual withering today? Modern believers experience spiritual ξηराίνω through neglect of prayer, Scripture study, fellowship, and obedience, leading to gradual loss of spiritual vitality and fruitfulness.
• The word ξηραίνω appears in medical papyri from ancient Egypt, where Greek physicians used it to describe conditions involving dehydration and loss of bodily fluids.
• In agricultural contexts, ancient Greek farmers recognized that plants could wither from either lack of water or too much scorching heat, paralleling how spiritual lives can dry up from neglect or excessive worldly pressure.
• The Septuagint translators chose ξηराίνω to render multiple Hebrew verbs related to withering, showing their understanding of its comprehensive meaning encompassing both physical and spiritual drying.
• Early Christian monastics used ξηραίνω metaphorically to describe the discipline of “drying up” fleshly desires through fasting and prayer, viewing spiritual withering as sometimes necessary for growth.
• Archaeological evidence from ancient Greek farming communities shows that understanding seasonal withering patterns was crucial for agricultural success, making Jesus’ agricultural parables immediately comprehensible to His audience.
• The verb ξηراίνω shares its root with the English word “xerography” (dry writing), demonstrating how ancient Greek vocabulary continues to influence modern technical terminology.

11. Remember This

ξηराίνω reminds us that the same divine power that can cause withering is the power that can restore and heal—teaching us to trust God’s sovereignty even in seasons of apparent spiritual dryness, knowing that He is preparing us for greater fruitfulness.