Bible Dictionaries
Leaf, Leaves

Holman Bible Dictionary

The foliage of plants or trees. Adam and Eve made their first clothes from leaves (Genesis 3:7 ). Leaves are frequently used to symbolize blessedness or cursedness. God's renewal of the earth following the flood was epitomized by an olive leaf (Genesis 8:11 ). God's providential care for the righteous is pictured by the image of a well-watered tree whose leaves do not wither (Psalm 1:3; compare Jeremiah 17:8 ). Ezekiel's vision of the new Jerusalem included trees whose leaves never wither and whose leaves have healing power (Ezekiel 47:12; compare Revelation 22:2 ). Withered (Isaiah 1:30 ), shaken (Isaiah 33:9 ), fallen (Isaiah 33:4 ), and faded (Isaiah 64:4 ) leaves serve as images of judgment. A tree lacking fruit with withered leaves (Jeremiah 8:13 ) symbolizes a people found lacking when God judges (compare Matthew 21:19; Mark 11:13 ). Jesus used the appearance of fig leaves which herald the arrival of summer to illustrate the need to heed the signs of the end (Matthew 24:32; Mark 13:28 ).