The willow tree, known for its graceful, drooping branches and affinity for water, is mentioned in the Bible in contexts that highlight its natural characteristics and symbolic meanings. The Hebrew word often translated as "willow" is "ʿaravah," which can also refer to a variety of trees that thrive near water sources.

Biblical References:

1. Leviticus 23:40 · In the context of the Feast of Tabernacles, the Israelites are instructed to take "the fruit of splendid trees, branches of palm trees, boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook" to rejoice before the LORD. The willow here is associated with celebration and worship, symbolizing the abundance and provision of God.

2. Job 40:22 · The willow is mentioned in the description of Behemoth, a creature that finds shelter and sustenance in the natural world. "The lotus plants conceal him in their shade; the willows of the brook surround him." This imagery underscores the willow's habitat near water, providing a picture of God's creation and the interconnectedness of life.

3. Isaiah 44:4 · In a prophetic vision of restoration and blessing, the descendants of Israel are likened to willows: "They will sprout among the grass like poplars by flowing streams." This metaphor emphasizes growth, vitality, and the nurturing environment provided by God's favor.

Symbolism and Interpretation:

In biblical symbolism, the willow is often associated with water, life, and renewal. Its presence by streams and rivers makes it a fitting symbol for prosperity and the sustenance that comes from God. The willow's ability to thrive in wet environments can also represent resilience and adaptability, qualities that are valued in the spiritual life.

The use of willow branches in the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) highlights the theme of joy and thanksgiving. This feast commemorates the Israelites' journey through the wilderness and God's provision during that time. The willow, as part of the "four species" used in the celebration, serves as a reminder of the blessings and sustenance provided by the Creator.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, trees like the willow were often associated with fertility and life due to their lush growth and proximity to water. The biblical references to willows align with this cultural understanding, using the tree as a symbol of divine blessing and abundance.

The willow's characteristics—its flexibility, ability to grow in challenging conditions, and its connection to water—make it a powerful symbol in biblical literature. It serves as a reminder of God's provision, the importance of remaining rooted in faith, and the promise of renewal and growth through divine grace.Willow

A very common tree, which grows in marshy places, Job 40:22 Isaiah 44:4, with a leaf much like that of the olive. God commanded the Hebrews to take branches of the handsomest trees, particularly of the willows of the brook, and to bear them in their hands before the Lord, as a token of rejoicing, at the feast of Tabernacles, Le 23:40.

The "weeping willow," memorable in connection with the mourning Hebrew captives, Psalm 137:2, is a native of Babylonica. The "book of the willows," Isaiah 15:7, on the southern border of Moab, flows into the southeast extremity of the Dead Sea.

1. (n.) Any tree or shrub of the genus Salix, including many species, most of which are characterized often used as an emblem of sorrow, desolation, or desertion. A wreath of willow to show my forsaken plight. Sir W. Scott. Hence, a lover forsaken by, or having lost, the person beloved, is said to wear the willow.

2. (n.) A machine in which cotton or wool is opened and cleansed by the action of long spikes projecting from a drum which revolves within a box studded with similar spikes; -- probably so called from having been originally a cylindrical cage made of willow rods, though some derive the term from winnow, as denoting the winnowing, or cleansing, action of the machine. Called also willy, twilly, twilly devil, and devil.

3. (v. t.) To open and cleanse, as cotton, flax, or wool, by means of a willow. See Willow, n., 2.

WILLOW TREE

wil'-o-tre (tsaphtsaphah): Comparison with the Arabic cafcaf, "the willow," makes it very probable that thc translation of Ezekiel 17:5 is correct.

6851. tsaphtsaphah -- perhaps willow
... 6850, 6851. tsaphtsaphah. 6852 . perhaps willow. Transliteration: tsaphtsaphah
Phonetic Spelling: (tsaf-tsaw-faw') Short Definition: willow. ...
/hebrew/6851.htm - 6k

6155. arab -- (a kind of tree) perhaps poplar, also a wadi in Moab
... willow. From arab; a willow (from the use of osiers as wattles) -- willow. see HEBREW
arab. 6154b, 6155. arab or arabah. 6156 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/6155.htm - 6k

5536. sal -- basket
... basket. From calal; properly, a willow twig (as pendulous), ie An osier; but only
as woven into a basket -- basket. see HEBREW calal. 5535, 5536. sal. 5537 > ...
/hebrew/5536.htm - 6k

That Passage of David Explained; what the Harps Hung Upon the ...
... Chapter III."That Passage of David Explained; What the Harps Hung Upon the Willows
Signify; The Willow a Symbol of Chastity; The Willows Watered by Streams. ...
/.../chapter iii that passage of david.htm

Bowed with Grief and Anguish Low,
... All my grief before Him lay: Tell Him, 'neath the willow shade,. Ah! ... II. Is there
joy by Babel's streams,". Mute the harp on willow hung,. ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the apostolic church/bowed with grief and anguish.htm

The Sins of the Elect and of the Penitent are of Many Kinds, but ...
... He showed me a large willow tree overshadowing plains and mountains, and under the
shade of this willow had assembled all those who were called by the name of ...
/.../pastor/the pastor books first second third/similitude eighth the sins of.htm

In the Last, the Great Day of the Feast'
... hand each carries what is called the Lulabh, [3990] which, although properly meaning
a branch,' or palm-branch,' consisted of a myrtle and willow-branch tied ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vii in the last.htm

The Banquet of the Ten Virgins, or Concerning Chastity
... Chapter III.--That Passage of David Explained; What the Harps Hung Upon the Willows
Signify; The Willow a Symbol of Chastity; The Willows Watered by Streams. ...
/.../methodius/the banquet of the ten virgins or concerning chastity/

On Easter
... Mingled together, the willow, the fir, the hazel, the osier, [2117] the elm, the
maple, the walnut, each tree applauds, delightful with its leaves. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/venantius/on easter/on easter.htm

First Greek Form.
... [1739]. 3. And the son of Annas the scribe was standing there with Joseph; and he
took a willow branch, and let out the waters which Jesus had collected. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the gospel of thomas/first greek form .htm

Rondelet, {7} the Huguenot Naturalist {8}
... and other birds of passage, many of them unknown in these islands, and even in the
north of France itself, which haunt every copse of willow and aspen along ...
/.../kingsley/historical lectures and essays/rondelet 7 the huguenot naturalist.htm

Second Greek Form.
... And a certain boy, the son of Annas the scribe, came past, and with a willow branch
which he was carrying threw down the pools, and the water flowed out. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the gospel of thomas/second greek form .htm

Meanwhile, Unconscious of the Miracle his Prayer had Wrought...
... In figure she was wonderfully slight,"so slight indeed that she suggested a delicate
willow-withe such as can be bent and curved with one hand"yet this ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/vii meanwhile unconscious of the.htm

Willow (1 Occurrence)
... A wreath of willow to show my forsaken plight. Sir W. Scott. Hence, a lover forsaken
by, or having lost, the person beloved, is said to wear the willow. ...
/w/willow.htm - 7k

Willow-tree (1 Occurrence)
Willow-tree. Willows, Willow-tree. Wills . Multi-Version Concordance
Willow-tree (1 Occurrence). Ezekiel 17:5 He took ...
/w/willow-tree.htm - 6k

Willows (5 Occurrences)
... (1.) Hebrews `arabim (Leviticus 23:40; Job 40:22; Isaiah 15:7; 44:3, 4; Psalm
137:1, 2). This was supposed to be the weeping willow, called by Linnaeus Salix ...
/w/willows.htm - 11k

Tola (5 Occurrences)
...WILLOW TREE. wil'-o-tre (tsaphtsaphah): Comparison with the Arabic cafcaf, "the
willow," makes it very probable that thc translation of Ezekiel 17:5 is correct. ...
/t/tola.htm - 10k

Wills (12 Occurrences)

/w/wills.htm - 9k

Zered (3 Occurrences)
... Zared, luxuriance; willow bush, a brook or valley communicating with the Dead Sea
near its southern extremity (Numbers 21:12; Deuteronomy 2:14). It is call. ...
/z/zered.htm - 8k

Gopher (1 Occurrence)
... A more probable explanation is that which connects gopher with the modern Arabic
kufa, a name given to the boats made of interwoven willow branches and palm ...
/g/gopher.htm - 9k

Goodly (46 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/g/goodly.htm - 25k

Wood (226 Occurrences)
... A more probable explanation is that which connects gopher with the modern Arabic
kufa, a name given to the boats made of interwoven willow branches and palm ...
/w/wood.htm - 42k

Will-offering (1 Occurrence)
Will-offering. Willing-offerings, Will-offering. Willow . Multi-Version
Concordance ... (Root in JPS ASV YLT). Willing-offerings, Will-offering. Willow . ...
/w/will-offering.htm - 6k

What is Willow Creek? | GotQuestions.org

Protestant Christianity ' Article Index | GotQuestions.org

What is Calvary Chapel? | GotQuestions.org

Willow: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus