Definition and Description:
The myrtle is an evergreen shrub or small tree belonging to the family Myrtaceae. It is native to the Mediterranean region and the Middle East. The myrtle is characterized by its fragrant white or pink flowers and dark green, aromatic leaves. In biblical times, the myrtle was valued for its beauty and fragrance, often used in festive and religious ceremonies.

Biblical References:
The myrtle is mentioned several times in the Bible, symbolizing peace, prosperity, and divine blessing. It is often associated with the restoration and renewal of God's people.

1. Nehemiah 8:15 : "So they proclaimed and circulated a proclamation in all their cities and in Jerusalem, saying, 'Go out to the hills and bring back branches of olive, wild olive, myrtle, palm, and other leafy trees to make booths, as it is written.'"
· In this passage, the myrtle is one of the branches used to construct booths for the Feast of Tabernacles, a festival celebrating God's provision and protection during the Israelites' wilderness journey.

2. Isaiah 41:19 : "I will plant cedars in the desert, acacias, myrtles, and olive trees; I will set pines in the wasteland, the fir and the cypress together."
· Here, the myrtle is part of a prophetic vision of transformation and abundance, where God promises to make the barren places flourish, symbolizing hope and renewal.

3. Isaiah 55:13 : "Instead of the thornbush, a cypress will grow, and instead of the brier, a myrtle will spring up; this will be a memorial to the LORD, an everlasting sign that will never be destroyed."
· The myrtle replaces the brier, representing the reversal of the curse and the establishment of God's everlasting covenant with His people. It signifies the joy and peace that come with God's salvation.

4. Zechariah 1:8-11 : "I saw in the night, and behold, a man riding on a red horse, and he was standing among the myrtle trees in the hollow. Behind him were red, sorrel, and white horses. Then I asked, 'What are these, my lord?' And the angel who was speaking with me replied, 'I will show you what they are.' And the man standing among the myrtle trees explained, 'These are the ones the LORD has sent to patrol the earth.' And they reported to the angel of the LORD standing among the myrtle trees, 'We have patrolled the earth, and behold, all the earth is at rest and quiet.'"
· In Zechariah's vision, the myrtle trees are a setting for divine revelation and communication. The presence of the myrtle trees in this vision underscores themes of peace and divine oversight.

Symbolism and Significance:
In biblical symbolism, the myrtle often represents peace, fertility, and God's blessing. Its evergreen nature signifies eternal life and the enduring presence of God. The myrtle's use in religious ceremonies and its mention in prophetic visions highlight its role as a symbol of hope and restoration. The transformation of barren land into a place where myrtles grow serves as a metaphor for spiritual renewal and the fulfillment of God's promises to His people.

Sappho
... SAPPHO. She lay among the myrtles on the cliff; Above her glared the noon;
beneath, the sea. Upon the white horizon Atho's peak Weltered ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/andromeda and other poems/sappho.htm

Volumes Already Published
... By Rev. THOMAS WHITELAW, DD. The Sevenfold I Am By Rev. THOMAS MARJORIBANKS, BD.
The Man Among the Myrtles. By the EDITOR. The Story of Joseph. By Rev. ...
/.../thomas/the prayers of st paul/volumes already published.htm

Elegance and Grace
... grapes? Shall I esteem a barren planetree and shorn myrtles beyond the fruitful
olive and the elm courting the embraces of the vine? ...
/.../kleiser/the training of a public speaker/elegance and grace.htm

Isaiah 55
... the forests clap their hands. Where briers grew midst barren wilds,. shall firs
and myrtles spring; And nature, through its utmost bounds,. eternal praises sing ...
/.../anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/26 isaiah 55.htm

He who Once, in Righteous Vengeance
... 2. Blest with this all saving shower, Earth her beauty straight resumed; In the
place of thorns and briers Myrtles sprang and roses bloom'd Bitter wormwood of ...
/.../various/the st gregory hymnal and catholic choir book/no 18 he who once.htm

The Cocal
... Below was Mamure, Roseau, Timit, Aroumas, and Tulumas, {266c} mixed with Myrtles
and Melastomas; then the copper Bois Mulatres among the Cocorite and Jagua ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter xiii the cocal.htm

Acts of the Holy Apostle Thomas.
... lighted up breathes forth scent from balsam and every perfume, and gives forth a
sweet odour of myrrh and savoury herbs; and within are strewn myrtles and sweet ...
/.../unknown/acts of the holy apostle thomas/acts of the holy apostle.htm

The Northern Mountains
... Botanists tell us that they are, or rather may have been in old times, akin
to myrtles. If so, they have taken a grand and original ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter xi the northern mountains.htm

The Germination of the Earth.
... [1551] The plants called crown-plants, roses, myrtles, laurels, did not exist; in
one moment they came into being, each one with its distinctive peculiarities. ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/homily v the germination of.htm

Spiritual Worship
... over. Such is the condition of human life! Flowerets and myrtles fragrant
seem to rise: All is at distance fair; but near at hand,. ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 77 spiritual worship.htm

Myrtles (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Myrtles (4 Occurrences). Nehemiah 8:15 and that
they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and ...
/m/myrtles.htm - 7k

Thick (129 Occurrences)
... make booths with them. According to the Talmudic writings, the "thick trees"
are myrtles (Suk. 12a; Jeremiah Suk. iii, 53d), and ...
/t/thick.htm - 38k

Trees (179 Occurrences)
... make booths with them. According to the Talmudic writings, the "thick trees"
are myrtles (Suk. 12a; Jeremiah Suk. iii, 53d), and ...
/t/trees.htm - 45k

Myrtle-tree (1 Occurrence)
Myrtle-tree. Myrtles, Myrtle-tree. Myrtle-trees . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(ASV WBS). Myrtles, Myrtle-tree. Myrtle-trees . Reference Bible.
/m/myrtle-tree.htm - 6k

Myrtle-branches (1 Occurrence)
Myrtle-branches. Myrtle, Myrtle-branches. Myrtles . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(DBY). Myrtle, Myrtle-branches. Myrtles . Reference Bible.
/m/myrtle-branches.htm - 6k

Myrtle (7 Occurrences)
... (Isaiah 41:19; Nehemiah 8:15; Zechariah 1:8), Hebrew hadas, known in the East by
the name as, the Myrtus communis of the botanist. "Although no myrtles are now ...
/m/myrtle.htm - 12k

Shade (67 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Zechariah 1:8 I have seen by night, and lo, one riding on a red horse, and
he is standing between the myrtles that 'are' in the shade, and behind him 'are ...
/s/shade.htm - 31k

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