Topical Encyclopedia Introduction: Trees hold significant symbolic and practical importance throughout the Bible. They are mentioned from Genesis to Revelation, serving as metaphors for spiritual truths, symbols of life and prosperity, and as part of God's creation that reflects His glory and provision. Creation and Symbolism: In the account of creation, trees are among the first living things God created. Genesis 1:11-12 states, "Then God said, 'Let the earth bring forth vegetation, seed-bearing plants and fruit trees, each bearing fruit with seed according to its kind.' And it was so. The earth produced vegetation: seed-bearing plants according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good." Trees are depicted as integral to the created order, providing sustenance and beauty. The Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:9) are central to the narrative of humanity's fall and redemption. The Tree of Life symbolizes eternal life and God's provision, while the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil represents the boundary set by God and the choice of obedience or rebellion. Covenants and Promises: Trees often appear in the context of covenants and divine promises. The oak of Moreh, where God appeared to Abram (Genesis 12:6-7), and the terebinth tree under which Deborah judged Israel (Judges 4:5) are examples of trees marking significant divine encounters and revelations. In prophetic literature, trees symbolize nations and people. Isaiah 61:3 speaks of God's people as "oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified." This imagery conveys strength, stability, and the enduring nature of God's covenant with His people. Wisdom Literature: The wisdom literature of the Bible frequently uses trees as metaphors for wisdom and righteousness. Psalm 1:3 describes the righteous person as "a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does." This imagery emphasizes the vitality and fruitfulness that come from living in accordance with God's law. Proverbs 3:18 refers to wisdom as "a tree of life to those who embrace her, and those who lay hold of her are blessed." Here, the tree of life symbolizes the life-giving and sustaining power of divine wisdom. Messianic Prophecies and Fulfillment: Trees also play a role in messianic prophecies and their fulfillment. Isaiah 11:1 prophesies, "A shoot will spring up from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit." This prophecy points to the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who is often referred to as the Branch, signifying new life and hope arising from the lineage of David. The cross, often referred to as a "tree" in the New Testament (Acts 5:30, 1 Peter 2:24), becomes the ultimate symbol of redemption. Through Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross, believers are offered eternal life, echoing the promise of the Tree of Life. Eschatological Vision: In the eschatological vision of Revelation, the Tree of Life reappears in the New Jerusalem. Revelation 22:2 describes it as "bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding a fresh crop for each month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations." This imagery completes the biblical narrative, symbolizing the restoration of creation and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. Conclusion: Throughout Scripture, trees are more than mere elements of the natural world; they are rich in symbolism and meaning, reflecting God's creative power, His covenantal promises, and the hope of redemption and eternal life through Jesus Christ. ATS Bible Dictionary TreesWere frequently used as types of kings, or men of wealth and power, Psalm 37:35 Isaiah 2:13 Daniel 4:10-26 Zechariah 11:1,2. The "tree of knowledge of good and evil" bore the forbidden fruit, by eating of which Adam fatally increased his knowledge-of good by its loss, of sin and woe by actual experience, Genesis 2:9,17. The "tree of life" may have been both an assurance and a means of imparting life, a seal of eternal holiness and bliss, if man had not sinned. Compare Revelation 22:2. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia CITY OF PALM TREESpam'-trez (`ir ha-temarim). GOODLY TREES (peri`ets hadhar, "the fruit (the King James Version "boughs") of goodly (= beautiful or noble) trees"): One of the four species of plants used in the Feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:40). In the Talmud (Cukkdh 35a) this is explained to be the citron (Citrus medica) known in Hebrew as 'ethrogh. This tradition is ancient, at least as old as the Maccabees. Josephus (Ant., XIII, xiii, 5) records that Alexander Janneus, while serving at the altar during this feast, was pelted by the infuriated Jews with citrons. This fruit also figures on coins of this period. It is probable that the citron tree (Malum Persica) was imported from Babylon by Jews returning from the captivity. A citron is now carried in the synagogue by every orthodox Jew in one hand, and the lalabh (of myrtle, willow, and palm branch) in the other, on each day of the Feast of Tabernacles. LOTUS TREES lo'-tus (tse'elim; the King James Version shady trees): The trees under which behemoth (the "hippopotams") rests; "He lieth under the lotus-trees," "The lotus-trees cover him with their shade" (Job 40:21, 22). The Arabic equivalent is the dom tree, Zizyphus lotus, a species of jujube tree (Natural Order Rhamneae); it has many spines and small globular fruit a little bigger than a pea. It is common in the Jordan valley. This plant has nothing to do with the Egyptian lotus. MULBERRY; TREES mul'-ber-i, (bekha'im; Septuagint apioi, "pear trees" (2 Samuel 5:23; 1 Chronicles 14:14, margin "balsam-trees"; Psalm 84:6, the King James Version "Baca," margin "mulberry trees," the Revised Version (British and American) "weeping," margin "balsam-trees"): According to Arabic writers the Baca tree is similar to the balsam (Balsamodendron opobalsamum), and grows near Mecca; no such tree is, however, known in Palestine. The name may, in Hebrew, have been applied to some species of ACACIA (which see). The idea of "weeping" implied in the root, both in Hebrew and Arabic, may be explained by the exudation of gum. "The sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees" has been explained to refer to the quivering of the leaves of poplars, but there is not much to support this view (see POPLAR). The translation "mulberry trees" is, however, even more improbable, as this tree, though very plentiful today, had not been introduced into Palestine in Old Testament times. SHADY, TREES shad'-i (Job 40:21 f). THICK TREES (`ets `abhoth (Leviticus 23:40 Nehemiah 8:15)): One of the varieties of trees which the Israelites were directed to use at the Feast of Tabernacles; in the latter passage they are expressly directed to make booths with them. According to the Talmudic writings, the "thick trees" are myrtles (Suk. 12a; Jeremiah Suk. iii, 53d), and further tradition has prescribed certain special features as to the varieties of myrtle employed, without which they cannot be used in the ritual of the feast. In Sirach 14:18 "thick tree" represents dendron dasu, "leafy tree." TREES, GOODLY See GOODLY TREES. TREES, SHADY sha'-di. TREES, THICK See THICK TREES. Greek 2779. kepos -- a garden ... Noun, Masculine Transliteration: kepos Phonetic Spelling: (kay'-pos) Short Definition: a garden Definition: a garden, any place planted with trees and herbs. ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2779.htm - 6k 1638. elaion -- an olive orchard, ie spec. the Mt. of Olives 1636. elaia -- an olive (the tree or the fruit) 5404. phoinix -- the date palm, a palm 1186. dendron -- a tree Strong's Hebrew 6097. etsah -- trees... trees. Transliteration: etsah Phonetic Spelling: (ay-tsaw') Short Definition: trees. Word Origin from the same as ets Definition trees NASB Word Usage trees (1) ... /hebrew/6097.htm - 6k 6086. ets -- tree, trees, wood 359. Eloth -- "grove of lofty trees" 5899. ir hattemarim -- Ir-hat-Temarim, a place in Palestine -- the ... 7795b. shurah -- probably row (of olive trees or vines) 418. algummim -- perhaps a sandalwood tree 8256. shiqmah -- sycamore tree 8558. tamar -- palm tree, date palm 8561. timorah -- palm (tree) figure 484. almuggim -- perhaps the sandalwood tree Library Suffocated Trees Under the Olive Trees. The Sound in the Mulberry Trees As the Appletree among the Trees of the Wood, So is My Beloved ... The Apple Trees The Allegory of the Trees Demanding a King, in the Book of Judges ... As in Summer Living Trees are Distinguished from Withered by Fruit ... Men as Trees As in Winter Green Trees Cannot be Distinguished from Withered, So ... Corollary Taken Out of Achmet, of the Signification of Hail, Fire ... Thesaurus Trees (179 Occurrences)... CITY OF PALM TREES. pam'-trez (`ir ha-temarim). See JERICHO (Deuteronomy 34:3 Judges 1:16; Judges 3:13 2 Chronicles 28:15). GOODLY TREES. ... /t/trees.htm - 45k Fir-trees (11 Occurrences) Cedar-trees (11 Occurrences) Olive-trees (11 Occurrences) Palm-trees (23 Occurrences) Cypress-trees (6 Occurrences) Fig-trees (5 Occurrences) Fruit-trees (5 Occurrences) Sycamore-trees (6 Occurrences) Sycomore-trees (6 Occurrences) Resources What is the significance of the olive tree in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the meanings of the various visions in the book of Zechariah? | GotQuestions.org What is the lily of the valley (Song of Solomon 2:1)? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Trees (179 Occurrences)Matthew 3:10 Matthew 21:8 Mark 8:24 Mark 11:8 Luke 3:9 Luke 21:29 John 12:13 Jude 1:12 Revelation 7:3 Revelation 8:7 Revelation 11:4 Genesis 1:11 Genesis 1:12 Genesis 2:9 Genesis 3:2 Genesis 3:8 Genesis 13:18 Genesis 14:13 Genesis 18:1 Genesis 23:17 Genesis 30:37 Exodus 10:15 Exodus 15:27 Leviticus 19:23 Leviticus 23:40 Leviticus 26:4 Leviticus 26:20 Leviticus 27:30 Numbers 13:20 Numbers 24:6 Numbers 33:9 Deuteronomy 6:11 Deuteronomy 7:5 Deuteronomy 8:8 Deuteronomy 11:30 Deuteronomy 12:3 Deuteronomy 16:21 Deuteronomy 19:5 Deuteronomy 20:19 Deuteronomy 20:20 Deuteronomy 24:20 Deuteronomy 28:40 Deuteronomy 28:42 Deuteronomy 34:3 Joshua 10:26 Joshua 10:27 Judges 1:16 Judges 3:13 Judges 9:8 Judges 9:9 Judges 9:10 Judges 9:11 Judges 9:12 Judges 9:13 Judges 9:14 Judges 9:15 Judges 9:48 2 Samuel 5:11 2 Samuel 5:23 2 Samuel 5:24 1 Kings 4:33 1 Kings 5:6 1 Kings 5:10 1 Kings 6:29 1 Kings 6:32 1 Kings 6:35 1 Kings 7:36 1 Kings 9:11 1 Kings 10:11 1 Kings 10:12 1 Kings 10:27 2 Kings 3:25 2 Kings 6:4 2 Kings 18:32 2 Kings 19:23 1 Chronicles 14:1 1 Chronicles 14:14 1 Chronicles 14:15 1 Chronicles 16:33 1 Chronicles 22:4 1 Chronicles 27:28 2 Chronicles 1:15 2 Chronicles 2:8 2 Chronicles 2:9 2 Chronicles 2:10 2 Chronicles 2:16 2 Chronicles 3:5 2 Chronicles 9:10 2 Chronicles 9:11 2 Chronicles 9:27 2 Chronicles 28:15 Ezra 3:7 Nehemiah 2:8 Nehemiah 10:35 Nehemiah 10:37 Job 40:21 Job 40:22 Psalms 29:9 Psalms 74:5 Psalms 78:47 Subtopics Trees of the Life and Conversation of the Righteous Trees were Cut Down by Besieging Armies for Erecting Forts Trees were Cut Down for Building Trees were Cut Down for Making Idols Trees were Sold With the Land on Which They Grew Trees: (Casting Their Leaves Yet Retaining Their Substance) of Trees: (Dry) of the Wicked Ripe for Judgment Trees: (Dry) of Useless Persons Trees: (Duration of) of Continued Prosperity of Saints Trees: (Good and Fruitful) of Saints Trees: (Green) of the Innocence of Christ Trees: (Producing Evil Fruit) the Wicked Trees: (Shaking of the Leaves off) the Terror of the Wicked Trees: Afford an Agreeable Shade in Eastern Countries During The Trees: Designed to Beautify the Earth Trees: Different Kinds of Mentioned of the Forest Trees: Different Kinds of Mentioned of the Wood Trees: Different Kinds of Mentioned: Bearing Fruit Trees: Different Kinds of Mentioned: Deciduous or Casting the Leaves Trees: Different Kinds of Mentioned: Evergreen Trees: Each Kind Has Its own Seed for Propagating Its Species Trees: Each Kind of, Known by Its Fruit Trees: Early Custom of Planting, in Consecrated Grounds Trees: Given As Food to the Animal Creation Trees: God Increases and Multiplies the Fruit of, for his People Trees: God often Renders, Barren As a Punishment Trees: Made for the Glory of God Trees: Nourished by the Rain from Heaven Trees: Nourished: Through Their own Sap Trees: Often Propagated by Birds Who Carry the Seeds Along With Them Trees: Often Suffered From: Desolating Armies Trees: Often Suffered From: Fire Trees: Often Suffered From: Hail and Frost Trees: Often Suffered From: Locusts Trees: Originally Created by God Trees: Parts of Mentioned: The Branches Trees: Parts of Mentioned: The Fruit or Seeds Trees: Parts of Mentioned: The Leaves Trees: Parts of Mentioned: The Roots Trees: Parts of Mentioned: The Stem or Trunk Trees: Parts of Mentioned: The Tender Shoots Trees: Solomon Wrote the History of Trees: Specially Flourished Beside the Rivers and Streams of Water Trees: The Jews: Considered Trees on Which Criminals Were Executed Trees: The Jews: Often Buried Under Trees: The Jews: Often Executed Criminals On Trees: The Jews: Often Pitched Their Tents Under Trees: The Jews: Prohibited from Cutting Down Fruit Bearing, for Sieges Trees: The Jews: Prohibited from Planting in Consecrated Places Trees: when Cut Down often Sprouted from Their Roots Again Related Terms Sycamore-trees (6 Occurrences) Sycomore-trees (6 Occurrences) Mulberry-trees (4 Occurrences) |