Bible Dictionaries

Holman Bible Dictionary

Diviner's Oak

A place visable from the gate of Shechem (Judges 9:35 ,Judges 9:35,9:37 ). Some translations understand the underlying Hebrew to refer to a plain (KJV, plain of Meonenim; NRSV, Elon-meonenim). Others translate as the diviner's oak (NAS), Soothsayers' terebinth (REB), soothsayers' tree (NIV) or “oak tree of the fortune tellers” (TEV). In this case the tree formed part of a sanctuary. The terebinth was designated the diviner's or soothsayer's tree since persons would go to the sanctuary seeking an oracle. The tree is perhaps that associated with Abraham (Genesis 12:6 ), Jacob (Genesis 35:4 ), and Joshua (Joshua 24:26 ). Compare Deuteronomy 11:30 , Judges 9:6 . It may well have played an important role in Canaanite worship at Shechem before Israel took over the ancient worship place. It was apparently located near the east gate of the city.