na.vel describes withering or fading, especially of leaves, grass, flowers, and fruit-bearing growth, and also depletion among people.

The dominant use depicts vegetation or created things fading, drying up, or failing in contrast to continued vitality: leaves, grass, flowers, and fruit-bearing trees are repeatedly in view. A smaller set applies the same deterioration imagery to human strength or resolve under burden or defeat.

1. Fading or failing in natural imagery · dominant

   Qal forms occur in clauses about leaves, grass, flowers, and trees losing vitality. In Psalm 1:3 the APB renders the tree's leaf as one that “does not wither”; in Isaiah 40:7 it renders both grass and flower as withering, while Isaiah 34:4 compares the heavenly host's decline to a leaf from a vine and a fading fig growth.

   Psalm 1:3Isaiah 28:1Isaiah 34:4Isaiah 40:7Jeremiah 8:13Psalm 37:2
2. Depletion or loss of resolve among people · occasional

   The same Qal verb is used of people under pressure or defeat rather than of plant life. Exodus 18:18 uses an infinitive absolute in the warning that Moses and the people will “surely wither” because the task is too heavy, and 2 Samuel 22:46 has a masculine plural imperfect where the APB describes foreigners as having “lost courage” and coming out trembling.

   Exodus 18:182 Samuel 22:46

In the Anselm Project Bible: Across the botanical passages, the APB commonly uses “withers” or “fading,” and it also uses “languish” in Psalm 37:2. In Exodus 18:18 it renders the warning as “surely wither,” while 2 Samuel 22:46 presents the corresponding clause as foreigners who “lost courage”.