the Week of Proper 25 / Ordinary 30
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Bible Encyclopedias
Sycamine Tree
Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature
or Sycamine Tree is mentioned only once in the New Testament, in , 'And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard-seed, ye might say unto this sycamine-tree,' etc. From a slight similarity in name, this tree has often been confounded with the sycamore, both by ancient and modern writers. Both trees are, however, mentioned by the apostle, who must have had the technical knowledge necessary for distinguishing such things. Though the English version avoids translating the word, there can be little doubt of the mulberry-tree being intended; and it is frequently so rendered. The mulberry is a tree which we might expect to find mentioned in Scripture, since it is so common in Palestine. It is constantly alluded to by old travelers, and indeed is much cultivated in the present-day, in consequence of its affording food for the silkworm; and it must have been common also in early times, or the silk-worms would not have obtained suitable food when first introduced. As the mulberry-tree is common, as it is lofty and affords shade, it is well calculated for the illustration of the above passage of Luke.
Public Domain.
Kitto, John, ed. Entry for 'Sycamine Tree'. "Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature". https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/kbe/s/sycamine-tree.html.
