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Bible Encyclopedias
Almond
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
(1) שׁקד ,
(2) לוּז ,
1. Almond Tree
The almond tree is mentioned in Ecclesiastes 12:5 , where in the description of old age it says "the almond-tree shall blossom." The reference is probably to the white hair of age. An almond tree in full bloom upon a distant hillside has a certain likeness to a head of white hair.
2. A R od of Almond
A rod of almond is referred to Genesis 30:37 , where "Jacob took him rods of fresh poplar, and of the almond (
3. The Blossoms
The blossoms of the almond are mentioned Exodus 25:33 f; Exodus 37:19 f, etc. "Cups made like almond-blossoms in one branch, a knop (i.e. knob) and a flower," is the description given of parts of the sacred candlesticks. It is doubtful exactly what was intended - the most probable is, as Dillmann has suggested, that the cup was modeled after the calyx of the almond flower. See
4. The Fruit
Israel directed his sons (Genesis 43:11 ) to carry almonds as part of their present to Joseph in Egypt. Palestine is a land where the almond flourishes, whereas in Egypt it would appear to have been uncommon. Almonds are today esteemed a delicacy; they are eaten salted or beaten into a pulp with sugar like the familiar German Marzipan.
The almond is Amygdalus communis (N.O. Rosaceae ), a tree very similar to the peach. The common variety grows to the height of 25 feet and produces an abundant blossom which appears before the leaves; In Palestine this is fully out at the end of January or beginning of February; it is the harbinger of spring. This early blossoming is supposed to be the origin of the name
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Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. Entry for 'Almond'. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. https://www.studylight.org/​encyclopedias/​eng/​isb/​a/almond.html. 1915.