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καρποφόρος

karpophóros

G2593 attributive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Bearing fruit—producing fruit physically, such as plants or trees yielding crops; by extension, generating desired results or effects, often used figuratively of people, behaviors, or endeavors that are productive or successful. The primary sense is productive in an agricultural sense; the figurative sense commonly expresses moral, spiritual, or practical productivity or efficacy.

Semantic Range

bearing fruit, producing fruit (literally); productive, fertile (of land, plants); yielding results, productive in deeds or character (figuratively); fruitful (in moral, ethical, or practical sense)

Root / Etymology

From καρπός ('fruit') and the verbal stem φέρω ('to bear, to carry'). Formed as a compound adjective.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Koine Greek, particularly the New Testament and Septuagint, καρποφόρος is regularly found describing literal fruit-bearing trees or plants (e.g., Leviticus 19:24 LXX), but it is also used figuratively, especially in paraenetic or ethical contexts (e.g., Colossians 1:10) to denote a life, conduct, or person characterized by productive deeds, virtues, or results. The figurative application aligns with broader Greek and Jewish literature, in which producing 'fruit' serves as a metaphor for generating outcomes, especially good deeds, ethical behavior, or virtue. English translations often render the term as 'fruitful,' which generally reflects the figurative sense, but may obscure the concrete agricultural imagery present in the original context. The construction of καρποφόρος follows a typical Greek compounding pattern (noun + verbal stem), akin to other adjectives such as ἀκαρπός ('unfruitful'). The NT and LXX usage does not introduce new semantic meanings beyond the broader Greek tradition, but frequently employs the term to express the results of virtuous or faithful living in contexts emphasizing moral or religious instruction.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from καρπός and φέρω; fruitbearing (figuratively):--fruitful.

Root Family

καρπ-, φερ- (karpophóros) — to bear, to carry, fruit

Root καρπ-, φερ- to bear, to carry, fruit

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2593-01 καρποφόρους karpophorous ADJ.A ACC M PL fruitful fruit-bearing ones fruitful 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2593-01 Acts 14:17 καρποφόρους karpophorous ADJ.A ACC M PL fruitful fruit-bearing ones fruitful
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