איוב, פרק ט״ו, פסוק ל״ב

The fate of a wicked individual is illustrated through the imagery of a withering plant, capturing a sudden downfall and a fading legacy. Life is cut short, and everything left behind dries up without ever reaching its natural, full development. A person of such character is destined to lose their strength or face death long before their natural time [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ, תקות אנוש].

The primary approach among commentators understands this sudden end as a forced completion; the individual's allotted time is abruptly finished, and their capacity to grow or succeed is permanently halted [רש״י, רמב״ן, מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Others view this sudden end through an agricultural lens, comparing it to crops being violently cut down, plucked, and left to wither [אבן עזרא, מלבי״ם]. However, this idea of cutting is rejected by some in favor of the simpler understanding that the person's days are simply brought to a premature close [תקות אנוש]. Another perspective suggests that this completion actually refers to the individual's legacy. A person's life is only truly completed and continued if they leave behind an heir, but for the wicked, this continuation is denied [אלשיך].

The imagery then shifts to the upper parts of a tree, specifically thick branches, treetops, or palm fronds that naturally bend downward [רש״י, אבן עזרא, מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ, מלבי״ם]. These branches lack all moisture, drying out rapidly instead of remaining fresh and green [מצודת ציון].

This lifeless branch serves as a sharp metaphor. Most commentators view the dried branch as a symbol of the offspring left behind. It indicates that no good will come to the person's children, and they too will quickly perish and disappear [רמב״ן, מצודת דוד, אלשיך]. Conversely, the branches and leaves that normally protect a tree's fruit can be seen as representing a person's physical wealth and possessions, all of which are destined to be lost prematurely [מלבי״ם].