Trees of the Bible

 

Fig

Literal meaning: lamentation> from a primitive root: to groan

First mentioned in Genesis 3:7. The fig-tree is mentioned (Deut. 8:8) as one of the valuable products of Palestine. It was a sign of peace and prosperity (1 Kings 4:25; Micah 4:4; Zech. 3:10). Figs were used medicinally (2 Kings 20:7), and pressed together and formed into "cakes" as articles of diet (1 Sam. 30:12; Jeremiah 24:2).

Our Lord's cursing the fig-tree near Bethany (Mark 11:13) has occasioned much perplexity from the circumstance, as mentioned by the evangelist, that "the time of figs was not yet." The explanation of the words, however, lies in the simple fact that the fruit of the fig-tree appears before the leaves, and hence that if the tree produced leaves it ought also to have had fruit. It ought to have had fruit if it had been true to its "pretensions," in showing its leaves at this particular season. "This tree, so to speak, vaunted itself to be in advance of all the other trees, challenged the passer-by that he should come and refresh himself with its fruit. Yet when the Lord accepted its challenge and drew near, it proved to be but as the others, without fruit as they; for indeed, as the evangelist observes, the time of figs had not yet arrived. Its fault, if one may use the word, lay in its pretensions, in its making a show to run before the rest when it did not so indeed" (Trench, Miracles).

 

The fig-tree of Palestine (Ficus carica) produces two and sometimes three crops of figs in a year,

(1.) the bikkurah, or "early-ripe fig" (Micah 7:1; Isa. 28:4; Hos. 9: 10, R.V.), which is ripe about the end of June, dropping off as soon as it is ripe (Nah. 3:12);

 

(2.) the kermus, or "summer fig," then begins to be formed, and is ripe about August; and

 

(3.) the pag (plural "green figs," Cant. 2:13; Gr. olynthos, Rev. 6:13, "the untimely fig"), or "winter fig," which ripens in sheltered spots in spring.

 

Almond

Literal meaning: from a primitive root: to turn aside

A native of Syria and Palestine. In form, blossoms, and fruit it resembles the peach tree. Its blossoms are of a very pale pink color, and appear before its leaves. Its Hebrew name, shaked, signifying "wakeful, hastening," is given to it on account of its putting forth its blossoms so early, generally in February, and sometimes even in January.

In Eccl. 12:5, it is referred to as illustrative, probably, of the haste with which old age comes. There are others, however, who still contend for the old interpretation here. "The almond tree bears its blossoms in the midst of winter, on a naked, leafless stem, and these blossoms (reddish or flesh-colored in the beginning) seem at the time of their fall exactly like white snow-flakes. In this way the almond blossom is a very fitting symbol of old age, with its silvery hair and its wintry, dry, barren, unfruitful condition."

 

In Jeremiah 1:11 "I see a rod of an almond tree [shaked]......for I will hasten [shaked] my word to perform it" the word is used as an emblem of promptitude. Jacob desired his sons (Gen. 43:11) to take with them into Egypt of the best fruits of the land, almonds, etc., as a present to Joseph, probably because this tree was not a native of Egypt. Aaron's rod yielded almonds (Num. 17:8; Heb. 9:4).

 

Moses was directed to make certain parts of the candlestick for the ark of carved work "like unto almonds" (Ex. 25:33, 34). The Hebrew word luz, translated "hazel" in the Authorized Version (Gen. 30:37), is rendered in the Revised Version "almond." It is probable that luz denotes the wild almond, while shaked denotes the cultivated variety.

 

Plane

Literal meaning: smooth, naked> from a primitive root: to be or make bare; to make smooth

 

Hebrew armon (Gen. 30:37; Ezek. 31:8), rendered "chestnut" in the Authorized Version, but correctly "plane tree" in the Revised Version and the LXX. This tree is frequently found in Palestine, both on the coast and in the north. It usually sheds its outer bark, and hence its Hebrew name, which means "naked." Commonly referred to as a sycamore, a variety of maple (the Acer pseudo-platanus).

The plane tree was one of three used by Jacob to make his flock conceive and bear “striped, speckled, and spotted” lambs. Genesis 30:37-39.

 

 

Palm

Literal meaning: from an unused root: to be erect, to stand upright

 

Hebrew tamar, the date-palm characteristic of Palestine. It is described as "flourishing" (Ps. 92:12), "upright" (Jeremiah 10:5). Its branches are a symbol of victory (Rev. 7:9). "Rising with slender stem 40 or 50, at times even 80, feet aloft, its only branches, the feathery, snow-like, pale-green fronds from 6 to 12 feet long, bending from its top, the palm attracts the eye wherever it is seen." The whole land of Palestine was called by the Greeks and Romans Phoenicia, i.e., the land of palms. Tadmor in the desert was called by the Greeks and Romans Palmyra, i.e., the city of palms.

The finest specimens of this tree grew at Jericho (Deut. 34:3) and En-gedi and along the banks of the Jordan. Branches of the palm tree were carried at the feast of Tabernacles (Lev. 23:40). At our Lord's triumphal entrance into Jerusalem the crowds took palm branches, and went forth to meet him, crying, "Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord" (Matt. 21:8; John 12: 13). (See DATE.: The fruit of a species of palm, the Phoenix dactilifera. This was a common tree in Palestine (Joel 1:12; Nehemiah 8:15). Palm branches were carried by the Jews on festive occasions, and especially at the feast of Tabernacles (Lev. 23:40; Nehemiah 8: 15).  

Oak

Literal meaning: to stand against, to oppose> from a primary word: opposite, i.e. instead of, or because of> from a primary word: to stand

There are six Hebrew words rendered "oak."

(1.) El occurs only in the word El-paran (Gen. 14:6). The LXX. renders by terebinth. In the plural form this word occurs in Isaiah 1:29; 57:5, 61:3 as trees. The word properly means strongly, mighty, and hence a strong tree.

(2.) Elah: Genesis 35:4, "under the oak which was by Shechem" terebinth. Isa. 6:13, teil-tree, terebinth. Isa. 1:30 terebinth. Absalom in his flight was caught in the branches of a "great oak" (2 Sam.18:9 terebinth).

(3.) Elon: Judges 4:11; 9:6 ("oak;" following the Targum, "plain") properly the deciduous species of oak shedding its foliage in autumn.

(4.) Elan: only in Daniel 4:11,14,20, rendered "tree" in Nebuchadnezzar's dream. Probably some species of the oak is intended.

(5.) Allah: Josh. 24:26. The place here referred to is called Allon-moreh (the oak of Moreh,) in Genesis 12:6 and 35:4.

(6.) Allon: always rendered "oak." Probably the evergreen oak (called also ilex and holm oak) is intended.

 

 

The oak woods of Bashan are frequently alluded to (Isa.2: 13; Ezek. 27:6). Three species of oaks are found in Palestine, of which the "prickly evergreen oak" (Quercus coccifera) is the most abundant. "It covers the rocky hills of Palestine with a dense brushwood of trees from 8 to 12 feet high, branching from the base, thickly covered with small evergreen rigid leaves, and bearing acorns copiously."

The so-called Abraham's oak at Hebron is of this species. Tristram says that this oak near Hebron "has for several centuries taken the place of the once renowned terebinth which marked the site of Mamre on the other side of the city. The terebinth existed at Mamre in the time of Vespasian, and under it the captive Jews were sold as slaves. It disappeared about A.D.330, and no tree now marks the grove of Mamre. The present oak is the noblest tree in Southern Palestine, being 23 feet in girth, and the diameter of the foliage, which is unsymmetrical, being about 90 feet." (See HEBRON; TEIL-TREE.)

 

 

Willow

Literal meaning: a willow (from the use of osiers as wattles)> from a primitive root: to braid; to intermix; to traffic (as if by barter); also or give to be security (as a kind of exchange)

 

1.) Heb. 'arabim (Lev. 23: 40; Job 40:22; Isa. 15:7; 44:3, 4; Ps. 137:1, 2). This was supposed to be the weeping willow, called by Linnaeus Salix Babylonica, from the reference in Ps. 137. This tree is frequently found "on the coast, overhanging wells and pools. There is a conspicuous tree of this species over a pond in the plain of Acre, and others on the Phoenician plain." There are several species of the salix in Palestine, but it is not indigenous to Babylonia, nor was it cultivated there. Some are of opinion that the tree intended is the tamarisk or poplar.

(2.) Heb. tzaphtzaphah (Ezek. 17:5), called by the Arabs the safsaf, the general name for the willow. This may be the Salix AEgyptica of naturalists. Tristram thinks that by the "willow by the water-courses," the Nerium oleander, the rose-bay oleander, is meant. He says, "It fringes the Upper Jordan, dipping its wavy crown of red into the spray in the rapids under Hermon, and is nurtured by the oozy marshes in the Lower Jordan nearly as far as to Jericho...On the Arnon, on the Jabbok, and the Yarmuk it forms a continuous fringe. In many of the streams of Moab it forms a complete screen, which the sun's rays can never penetrate to evaporate the precious moisture. The wild boar lies safely ensconced under its impervious cover."

Pomegranate

Literal meaning: the tree (from its upright growth) or the fruit (also an artificial ornament)> from a primitive root; to rise (literally or figuratively)

 

A "grained apple" (pomum granatum), Heb. rimmon. Common in Egypt (Num. 20:5) and Palestine (13:23; Deut. 8:8). The Romans called it Punicum malum, i.e., Carthaginian apple, because they received it from Carthage. It belongs to the myrtle family of trees. The withering of the pomegranate tree is mentioned among the judgments of God (Joel 1:12). It is frequently mentioned in the Song of Solomon (Cant. 4: 3, 13, etc.). The skirt of the high priest's blue robe and ephod was adorned with the representation of pomegranates, alternating with golden bells (Ex. 28:33,34), as also were the "chapiters upon the two pillars" (1 Kings 7:20) which "stood before the house."

 

 

Olive

Literal meaning: a leaf (as coming up on a tree); collectively, foliage> from a primitive root: to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative (as follow): to arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break [the day] (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, + show, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, [make] up, to mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work.

 

　

The fruit of the olive-tree. This tree yielded oil which was highly valued. The best oil was from olives that were plucked before being fully ripe, and then beaten or squeezed (Deut. 24:20; Isa. 17:6; 24:13). It was called "beaten," or "fresh oil" (Ex. 27:20). There were also oil-presses, in which the oil was trodden out by the feet (Micah 6:15). James (3: 12) calls the fruit "olive berries." The phrase "vineyards and olives" (Judges 15:5, A.V.) should be simply "olive-yard," or "olive-garden," as in the Revised Version. (See OIL.)

It is frequently mentioned in Scripture. The dove from the ark brought an olive-branch to Noah (Gen. 8:11). It is mentioned among the most notable trees of Palestine, where it was cultivated long before the time of the Hebrews (Deut. 6: 11; 8:8). It is mentioned in the first Old Testament parable, that of Jotham (Judges 9:9), and is named among the blessings of the "good land," and is at the present day the one characteristic tree of Palestine.

 

The oldest olive-trees in the country are those which are enclosed in the Garden of Gethsemane. It is referred to as an emblem of prosperity and beauty and religious privilege (Ps. 52:8; Jer. 11:16; Hos. 14: 6). The two "witnesses" mentioned in Rev. 11:4 are spoken of as "two olive trees standing before the God of the earth." (Comp. Zech. 4:3, 11-14.) The "olive-tree, wild by nature" (Rom. 11:24), is the shoot or cutting of the good olive-tree which, left ungrafted, grows up to be a "wild olive."

In Rom. 11:17 Paul refers to the practice of grafting shoots of the wild olive into a "good" olive which has become unfruitful. By such a process the sap of the good olive, by pervading the branch which is "grafted in," makes it a good branch, bearing good olives. Thus the Gentiles, being a "wild olive," but now "grafted in," yield fruit, but only through the sap of the tree into which they have been grafted. This is a process "contrary to nature" (11:24).

 

 

 

Tamarisk Literal meaning: from a root of uncertain signification: a tamarisk tree; by extension, a grove of any kind. 

 

 Hebrew 'eshel (Gen. 21:33; 1 Sam. 22:6; 31:13, in the R.V.; but in A.V., "grove," "tree"); Arab. asal. Seven species of this tree are found in Palestine. It is a "very graceful tree, with long feathery branches and tufts closely clad with the minutest of leaves, and surmounted in spring with spikes of beautiful pink blossoms, which seem to envelop the whole tree in one gauzy sheet of color" (Tristram's Nat. Hist.).

 

 

Cedar Literal meaning: a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots)

 

(Hebrew e'rez, Greek kedros, Lat. cedrus), a tree very frequently mentioned in Scripture. It was stately (Ezek. 31:3-5), long-branched (Ps. 80:10; 92:12; Ezek. 31:6-9), odoriferous (Cant. 4:11; Hos. 14:6), durable, and therefore much used for boards, pillars, and ceilings (1 Kings 6:9, 10; 7:2; Jer. 22:14), for masts (Ezek. 27:5), and for carved images (Isa. 44:14). It grew very abundantly in Palestine, and particularly on Lebanon, of which it was "the glory" (Isa. 35:2; 60:13).

 

Hiram supplied Solomon with cedar trees from Lebanon for various purposes connected with the construction of the temple and the king's palace (2 Sam. 5:11; 7:2, 7; 1 Kings 5:6, 8,10; 6:9, 10, 15, 16, 18, 20; 7:2, 3, 7, 11, 12; 9:11, etc.). Cedars were used also in the building of the second temple under Zerubbabel (Ezra 3:7).

 

Of the ancient cedars of Lebanon there remain now only some seven or eight. They are not standing together. But beside them there are found between three hundred and four hundred of younger growth. They stand in an amphitheatre fronting the west, about 6,400 feet above the level of the sea. The cedar is often figuratively alluded to in the sacred Scriptures. "The mighty conquerors of olden days, the despots of Assyria and the Pharaohs of Egypt, the proud and idolatrous monarchs of Judah, the Hebrew commonwealth itself, the warlike Ammonites of patriarchal times, and the moral majesty of the Messianic age, are all compared to the towering cedar, in its royal loftiness and supremacy (Isa. 2: 13; Ezek. 17:3, 22, 23, 31:3-9; Amos 2:9; Zech. 11:1, 2; Job 40:17; Ps. 29: 5; 80:10; 92:12, etc).", Groser's Scrip. Nat. Hist. (See BOX-TREE.)

 

Juniper

Literal meaning: of uncertain derivation; a cypress tree; hence, a lance or a musical instrument (as made of that wood)

Hebrew rothem), called by the Arabs retem, and known as Spanish broom; ranked under the genus genista. It is a desert shrub, and abounds in many parts of Palestine.

In the account of his journey from Akabah to Jerusalem, Dr. Robinson says: "This is the largest and most conspicuous shrub of these deserts, growing thickly in the water-courses and valleys. Our Arabs always selected the place of encampment, if possible, in a spot where it grew, in order to be sheltered by it at night from the wind; and during the day, when they often went on in advance of the camels, we found them not infrequently sitting or sleeping under a bush of retem to shelter them from the sun.”

It was in this very desert, a day's journey from Beersheba, that the prophet Elijah lay down and slept beneath the same shrub" (1 Kings 19:4, 5). It afforded material for fuel, and also in cases of extremity for human food (Ps. 120:4; Job 30:4). One of the encampments in the wilderness of Paran is called Rithmah, i.e., "place of broom" (Num. 33:18). "The Bedouin of Sinai still burn this very plant into a charcoal which throws out the most intense heat."

 

Almug

Literal meaning: probably of foreign derivation: almug (i.e. probably sandal-wood) sticks

 

(1 Kings 10:11, 12) = algum (2 Chr. 2:8; 9:10, 11), in the Hebrew occurring only in the plural almuggim (indicating that the wood was brought in planks), the name of a wood brought from Ophir to be used in the building of the temple, and for other purposes. Some suppose it to have been the white sandal-wood of India, the Santalum album of botanists, a native of the mountainous parts of the Malabar coasts. It is a fragrant wood, and is used in China for incense in idol-worship. Others, with some probability, think that it was the Indian red sandal-wood, the pterocarpus santalinus, a heavy, fine-grained wood, the Sanscrit name of which is valguka. It is found on the Coromandel coast and in Ceylon.

 

 

Myrtle

of uncertain derivation: the myrtle

 

Isaiah 41:19; Neh. 8:15; Zech. 1:8), Hebrew hadas, known in the East by the name as, the Myrtus communis of the botanist. "Although no myrtles are now found on the mount (of Olives), excepting in the gardens, yet they still exist in many of the glens about Jerusalem, where we have often seen its dark shining leaves and white flowers. There are many near Bethlehem and about Hebron, especially near Dewir Dan, the ancient Debir. It also sheds its fragrance on the sides of Carmel and of Tabor, and fringes the clefts of the Leontes in its course through Galilee. We meet with it all through Central Palestine" (Tristram).

A derivative of the word is the Hebrew name of Esther-Hadassah, which means: a myrtle; joy

 

 

Lotus

Literal meaning: from an unused root meaning to be slender; the lotus tree; a shade tree

 

Sycamore

Hebrew ‘shaqam’ pronounced ‘shaw-kawm' or (feminine) shiqmah {shik-maw'}; of uncertain derivation; a sycamore (usually the tree)

 

Sycomore~Sycamore, a European maple tree, having striking yellow flowers, used as a shade tree.

More properly sycomore (Heb. shikmoth and shikmim, Gr. sycomoros), a tree which in its general character resembles the fig-tree, while its leaves resemble those of the mulberry; hence it is called the fig-mulberry (Ficus sycomorus). At Jericho, Zacchaeus climbed a sycomore-tree to see Jesus as he passed by (Luke 19:4). This tree was easily destroyed by frost (Ps. 78:47), and therefore it is found mostly in the "vale" (1 Kings 10:27; 2 Chr. 1:15: in both passages the R.V. has properly "lowland"), i.e., the "low country," the shephelah, where the climate is mild. Amos (7:14) refers to its fruit, which is of an inferior character; so also probably Jeremiah (24:2). It is to be distinguished from our sycamore (the Acer pseudo-platanus), which is a species of maple often called a plane-tree.

 

Fir

same as Juniper

 

Balsam

Literal meaning: fragrance; by implication, spicery; also the balsam plant> from an unused root meaning to be fragrant; the balsam plant. Possibly the same as Fir/Juniper

 

 

Nut
Literal meaning: a pistachio-nut (from its form)

 

Nuts were among the presents Jacob sent into Egypt for the purpose of conciliating Joseph (Gen.43:11). This was the fruit of the pistachio tree, which resembles the sumac. It is of the size of an olive. In Cant.6:11 a different Hebrew word ('egoz), which means "walnuts," is used.

 

Apple

Literal meaning: an apple (from its fragrance), i.e. the fruit or the tree (probably including others of the pome order, as the quince, the orange, etc.)>from a primitive root: to puff, in various applications (literally, to inflate, blow hard, scatter, kindle, expire; figuratively, to disesteem)

 

Fruit

Literal meaning: many children; an abundant harvest

fruit (literally or figuratively)> from a primitive root; to bear fruit (literally or figuratively)

From a word as used in Scripture denoting produce in general, whether vegetable or animal. The Hebrews divided the fruits of the land into three classes:

(1.) The fruit of the field, "corn-fruit" (Heb. dagan); all kinds of grain and pulse.

(2.) The fruit of the vine, "vintage-fruit" (Heb. tirosh); grapes, whether moist or dried.

(3.) "Orchard-fruits" (Heb. yitshar), as dates, figs, citrons, etc. Injunctions concerning offerings and tithes were expressed by these Hebrew terms alone (Num. 18:12; Deut. 14:23). This word "fruit" is also used of children or offspring (Gen. 30:2; Deut. 7:13; Luke 1:42; Ps. 21:10; 132:11); also of the progeny of beasts (Deut. 28:51; Isa. 14:29). It is used metaphorically in a variety of forms (Ps. 104:13; Prov. 1:31; 11:30; 31:16; Isa. 3:10; 10:12; Matt. 3:8; 21: 41; 26:29; Heb. 13:15; Rom. 7:4, 5; 15: 28). The fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22, 23; Eph. 5:9; James 3:17, 18) are those gracious dispositions and habits which the Spirit produces in those in whom he dwells and works.  

 

Acacia

Literal meaning: feminine of a derivative [only in the plural shittiym {shit-teem'}; meaning the sticks of wood]; the acacia (from its scourging thorns)> from an unused root: to pierce to flog; a goad

Exodus 25:5~the Acacia seyal (the gum-arabic tree); called the "shittah" tree (Isa. 41: 19). Its wood is called shittim wood (Ex. 26:15, 26; 25:10, 13, 23, 28, etc.). This species (A. seyal) is like the hawthorn, a gnarled and thorny tree. It yields the gum-arabic of commerce. It is found in abundance in the Sinaitic peninsula.

Elm

Literal meaning: enduring

 

a species of hard-wood or lasting tree> from a primitive root: to curvet or move irregularly

 

In Hosea 4:13; rendered "terebinth" in the Revised Version. It is the Pistacia terebinthus, a tree common in Palestine, long-lived, and therefore often employed for landmarks and in designating places (Gen. 35:4; Judges 6:11, 19. Rendered "oak" in both A.V. and R.V.). (See TEIL TREE.)

 

Box

a species of cedar (from its erectness)

Hebrew teashshur), mentioned in Isa. 60:13; 41:19, was, according to some, a species of cedar growing in Lebanon. The words of Ezek. 27:6 literally translated are, "Thy benches they have made of ivory, the daughter of the ashur tree," i.e., inlaid with ashur wood. The ashur is the box-tree, and accordingly the Revised Version rightly reads "inlaid in box wood." This is the Buxus sempervirens of botanists. It is remarkable for the beauty of its evergreen foliage and for the utility of its hard and durable wood.

 

Vine

Literal meaning: from an unused root: to bend; a vine (as twining), especially the grape

 

One of the most important products of Palestine. The first mention of it is in the history of Noah (Gen. 9:20). It is afterwards frequently noticed both in the Old and New Testaments, and in the ruins of terraced vineyards there are evidences that it was extensively cultivated by the Jews. It was cultivated in Palestine before the Israelites took possession of it. The men sent out by Moses brought with them from the Valley of Eshcol a cluster of grapes so large that "they bare it between two upon a staff" (Num. 13: 23).

 

The vineyards of En-gedi (Cant. 1: 14), Heshbon, Sibmah, Jazer, Elealeh (Isa. 16:8-10; Jer. 48:32, 34), and Helbon (Ezek. 27:18), as well as of Eshcol, were celebrated. The Church is compared to a vine (Ps. 80:8), and Christ says of himself, "I am the vine" (John 15:1). In one of his parables also (Matt. 21:33) our Lord compares his Church to a vineyard which "a certain householder planted, and hedged round about," etc.). Hos. 10:1 is rendered in the Revised Version, "Israel is a luxuriant vine, which puts forth his fruit," instead of "Israel is an empty vine, he brings forth fruit unto himself," of the Authoried Version.