the Week of Proper 27 / Ordinary 32
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Bible Dictionaries
Almond
Bible Dictionary of Animals, Plants and other Objects
Credit: Davidbena
License: CC BY-SA 4.0
Credit URL: https://commons.wikimedia.org...
Comments: Almond tree growing in the Elah valley, near Neve Michael
Credit: 3268zauber
License: CC BY-SA 3.0
Credit URL: https://commons.wikimedia.org...
Comments: Unripe fruits on an almond tree (Prunus dulcis)
Credit: antcaesar
License: CC BY-SA 2.0
Credit URL: https://commons.wikimedia.org...
Comments: Mature almond nut
Credit: M.Verkerk, J.J.G.Claessens
License: CC BY-SA 2.5
Credit URL: https://commons.wikimedia.org...
Comments: Harvested almonds
Almond. Amygdalus communis. שקד šāqêḏ - Strongs: H8247.
From Easton: Almond, a native of Syria and Palestine. In form, blossoms, and fruit it resembles the peach tree. Its blossoms are of a very pale pink colour, 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 Ecclesiastes 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-coloured 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 (Genesis 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 (Numbers 17:8; Hebrews 9:4). Moses was directed to make certain parts of the candlestick for the ark of carved work "like unto almonds" (Exodus 25:33, Exodus 25:34). The Hebrew word _luz_, translated "hazel" in the Authorized Version (Genesis 30:37), is rendered in the Revised Version "almond." It is probable that _luz_ denotes the wild almond, while _shaked_ denotes the cultivated variety.
Verses:
- Genesis 43:11
- Numbers 17:8
- Ecclesiastes 12:5
- Jeremiah 1:11
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Bible Diciontary of Animals, Plants, and other Objects. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​apo/​a/almond.html. 2024.