Topical Encyclopedia The palm tree is a significant symbol and botanical feature in the biblical narrative, representing beauty, prosperity, and victory. It is mentioned numerous times throughout the Scriptures, often in contexts that highlight its importance in the ancient Near Eastern culture and its symbolic meanings.Hebrew and Greek Terms In the Hebrew Bible, the word for palm tree is "תָּמָר" (tamar), while in the New Testament Greek, it is referred to as "φοῖνιξ" (phoinix). These terms are used to describe the date palm, a tree known for its tall, slender trunk and lush, feathery fronds. Biblical References 1. Symbol of Righteousness and Beauty: The palm tree is often used as a metaphor for righteousness and beauty. Psalm 92:12 states, "The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon." This imagery suggests strength, uprightness, and the ability to thrive in adverse conditions. 2. Victory and Celebration: In ancient times, palm branches were symbols of victory and triumph. This is evident in the New Testament account of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where the crowd took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting, "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!" (John 12:13). This event is commemorated in the Christian tradition as Palm Sunday. 3. Construction and Decoration: The palm tree was also used in the construction and decoration of sacred spaces. In 1 Kings 6:29, Solomon's temple is described as having carvings of palm trees, cherubim, and open flowers on the walls. This use underscores the palm's association with beauty and divine presence. 4. Provision and Sustenance: The date palm was a vital source of food and resources in the ancient world. Its fruit, the date, was a staple in the diet of the people. In Exodus 15:27, the Israelites camped at Elim, where there were "twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees," indicating a place of rest and sustenance during their wilderness journey. 5. Symbol of Peace and Prosperity: The palm tree is also a symbol of peace and prosperity. In the prophetic vision of Ezekiel's temple, palm trees are depicted on the doors and walls, symbolizing the peace and prosperity that will characterize the Messianic age (Ezekiel 41:18-20). Cultural and Historical Context In the ancient Near East, the palm tree was a common sight and held economic and cultural significance. It was valued not only for its fruit but also for its wood, leaves, and fibers, which were used in various aspects of daily life. The palm's ability to grow in arid environments made it a symbol of life and endurance. Conclusion The palm tree, with its rich symbolism and practical uses, holds a prominent place in the biblical narrative. It serves as a powerful metaphor for righteousness, victory, and divine blessing, reflecting the values and hopes of the biblical authors and their communities. ATS Bible Dictionary Palm-TreeExodus 15:27. This tree is called in Hebrew tamar, from its straight upright, branchless growth, for which it seems more remarkable than any other tree; it sometimes rises to the height of a hundred feet. The palm is one of the most beautiful trees of the vegetable kingdom. The stalks are generally full of rugged knots, which render it comparatively easy to climb to the top for the fruit, So 7:7, 8. These projections are the vestiges of the decayed leaves; for the trunk is not solid like other trees, but its center is filled with pith, round which is a tough bark, full of strong fibers when young, which, as the tree grows old, hardens and becomes ligneous. To this bark the leaves are closely joined, which in the center rise erect, but after they are advanced above the sheath that surrounds them, they expand very wide on every side the stem, and as the older leaves decay, the stalk advances in height. With its ever verdant and graceful crown continually aspiring towards heaven, it is an apt image of the soul growing in grace, Psalm 92:12. The leaves, when the tree has grown to a size for bearing fruit, are six to eight feet long, are very broad when spread out, and are used for covering the tops of houses, and similar purposes. The fruit, from which the palm is often called the date-tree, grows below the leaves in clusters sometimes weighing over fifteen pounds, and is of a sweet and agreeable taste. The diligent natives, says Mr. Gibbon, celebrate, either in verse or prose, the three hundred and sixty uses to which the trunk, the branches or long leaf-stalks, the leaves, fibers, and fruit of the palm are skillfully applied. A considerable part of the inhabitants of Egypt, of Arabia, and Persia, subsist almost entirely on its fruit. They boast also of its medicinal virtues. Their camels feed upon the date stone. From the leaves they make couches, baskets, bags, mats, and brushes: from the branches or stalks, cages for their poultry, and fences for their gardens; from the fiber of the trunk, thread, ropes, and rigging; from the sap is prepared a spirituous liquor; and the body of the tree furnishes fuel: it is even said that from one variety of the palm-tree, the phoenix farinifera, meal has been extracted, which is found among the fibers of the trunk, and has been used for food. Several parts of the Holy Land, no less than of Idumea, that lay contiguous to it, are described by the ancients to have abounded with date-trees. Judea particularly is typified in several coins of Vespasian by a desconsolate woman sitting under a palm-tree, with the inscription, JUDEA CAPTA. In De 34:3, Jericho is called the "city of palm-trees;" and several of these trees are still found in that vicinity; but in general they are now rare in Palestine. Palm wreaths, and branches waved in the air or strown on the road, are associated not only with the honors paid to ancient conquerors in the Grecian games and in war, but with the triumphant entry of the King of Zion into Jerusalem, John 12:12-13, and with his more glorious triumph with his people in heaven, Revelation 7:9. Greek 5404. phoinix -- the date palm, a palm ... the date palm, a palm. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: phoinix Phonetic Spelling: (foy'-nix) Short Definition: a palm tree, palm branch ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5404.htm - 6k Strong's Hebrew 8558. tamar -- palm tree, date palm... 8557, 8558. tamar. 8559 . palm tree, date palm. Transliteration: tamar Phonetic Spelling: (taw-mawr') Short Definition: trees. ... palm tree. ... /hebrew/8558.htm - 6k 8561. timorah -- palm (tree) figure 8560. tomer -- palm tree, post 3712. kippah -- a branch, frond (of a palm tree) 385. Ithamar -- "land of palms," a son of Aaron 2688. Chatsatson Tamar -- a place on the W. side of the Dead Sea 1193. Baal Tamar -- "possessor of palms," a place near Gibeah 3709. kaph -- hollow or flat of the hand, palm, sole (of the foot) ... Library This Thy Stature is Like to a Palmtree, and Thy Breasts to ... Said, I Will Go up to the Palmtree, and I Will Take Hold of the ... And it came to Pass on the Third Day of their Journey... Chapter vii Firm to the End. Psalm XCII. And on the Day After, when they were Setting Out Thence... The "Sayings" of Pythagoras. Fruits of Recognized Union The General Service to one Martyr. Thesaurus Palm-tree (8 Occurrences)Palm-tree. Palms, Palm-tree. Palm-trees . Multi-Version Concordance Palm-tree (8 Occurrences). Judges 4:5 And she dwelt ... /p/palm-tree.htm - 8k Deborah (10 Occurrences) Baal-tamar (1 Occurrence) Baaltamar (1 Occurrence) Palm (49 Occurrences) Carved (36 Occurrences) Palm-trees (23 Occurrences) Lion's (14 Occurrences) Breasts (39 Occurrences) Clusters (12 Occurrences) Resources Is the phoenix mentioned in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is Holy Monday? | GotQuestions.org Got Questions Video | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Palm-tree (8 Occurrences)Judges 4:5 Psalms 92:12 Song of Songs 7:7 Song of Songs 7:8 Jeremiah 10:5 Ezekiel 41:18 Ezekiel 41:19 Joel 1:12 Subtopics The Palm-Tree: Blasted As a Punishment The Palm-Tree: First Mention of, in Scripture The Palm-Tree: Fruitful to a Great Age The Palm-Tree: Jericho Celebrated For The Palm-Tree: Represented in Carved Work on the Walls and Doors of The The Palm-Tree: Requires a Moist and Fertile Soil The Palm-Tree: Tents often Pitched Under the Shade of The Palm-Tree: The Branches of, Were used for Constructing Booths The Palm-Tree: The Branches of, Were: Carried at Feast of Tabernacles The Palm-Tree: The Branches of, Were: Spread Before Christ The Palm-Tree: The Branches of, Were: The Emblem of Victory The Palm-Tree: The Fruit of, Called Dates The Palm-Tree: The Upright Appearance of Idols Related Terms |
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