Ayub 8:12

8:12 While they are still beginning to flower ¹ 

and not ripe for cutting, ² 

they can wither away ³ 

faster ⁴  than any grass! ⁵ 

Yesaya 15:6

15:6 For the waters of Nimrim are gone; ⁶ 

the grass is dried up,

the vegetation has disappeared,

and there are no plants.

Matius 21:19

21:19 After noticing a fig tree ⁷  by the road he went to it, but found nothing on it except leaves. He said to it, “Never again will there be fruit from you!” And the fig tree withered at once.

[8:12]  ¹ tn The word has been traditionally translated “greenness” (so KJV, ASV), but some modern commentators argue for “in flower.” The word is found only in Song 6:11 (where it may be translated “blossoms”). From the same root is אָבִיב (’aviv, “fresh young ears of barley”). Here the word refers to the plant that is still in its early stages of flowering. It should not be translated to suggest the plant is flowering (cf. NRSV), but translating as if the plant is green (so NASB) is also problematic.

[8:12]  ² sn The idea is that as the plant begins to flower, but before it is to be cut down, there is no sign of withering or decay in it. But if the water is withdrawn, it will wither sooner than any other herb. The point Bildad will make of this is that when people rebel against God and his grace is withheld, they perish more swiftly than the water reed.

[8:12]  ³ tn The imperfect verb here is the modal use of potential, “can wither away” if the water is not there.

[8:12]  ⁴ tn Heb “before.”

[8:12]  ⁵ tn The LXX interprets the line: “does not any herb wither before it has received moisture?”

[15:6]  ⁶ tn Heb “are waste places”; cf. NRSV “are a desolation.”

[21:19]  ⁷ tn Grk “one fig tree.”

[21:19]  sn The fig tree is a variation on the picture of a vine as representing the nation; see Isa 5:1-7.