Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Acknowledgments
- Preface
- Introduction
- A DICTIONARY OF BIBLE PLANTS
- Acacia to Aspalathus
- Barley to Broom
- Cane to Cypress
- Date Palm to Dove's Dung
- Ebony
- Fig to Frankincense
- Galbanum to Grass
- Henna to Hyssop
- Ivy
- Juniper
- Ladanum to Lily of the Field
- Mallow, Wild Greens to Myrtle
- Nard, Spikenard to Nitre
- Oak to Onion
- Papyrus to Poplar
- Reed to Rush
- Saffron to Sycomore
- Tamarisk to Tumbleweed, Gundelia
- Vetches
- Walnut to Wormwood
- References
- Bible Versions
- Index of Scripture Verses
- Index of Botanical Names
Date Palm to Dove's Dung
from A DICTIONARY OF BIBLE PLANTS
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 June 2012
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Acknowledgments
- Preface
- Introduction
- A DICTIONARY OF BIBLE PLANTS
- Acacia to Aspalathus
- Barley to Broom
- Cane to Cypress
- Date Palm to Dove's Dung
- Ebony
- Fig to Frankincense
- Galbanum to Grass
- Henna to Hyssop
- Ivy
- Juniper
- Ladanum to Lily of the Field
- Mallow, Wild Greens to Myrtle
- Nard, Spikenard to Nitre
- Oak to Onion
- Papyrus to Poplar
- Reed to Rush
- Saffron to Sycomore
- Tamarisk to Tumbleweed, Gundelia
- Vetches
- Walnut to Wormwood
- References
- Bible Versions
- Index of Scripture Verses
- Index of Botanical Names
Summary
Date Palm Phoenix dactylifera
[Hebrew tamar; Exodus 15:27; Leviticus 23:40; Numbers 24:6; Numbers 33:9; Deuteronomy 34:3; Judges 1:16; Judges 3:13; Judges 4:5; 1 Kings 6:29, 32, 35; 1 Kings 7:36; 2 Chronicles 3:5; 2 Chronicles 28:15; Nehemiah 8:15; Psalms 92:12; Song of Solomon 7:7, 8; Isaiah9:14; Isaiah 19:15; Ezekiel 40:16, 22, 26, 31, 34, 37; Ezekiel 41:18, 19, 20, 25, 26; Hosea 9:13; Joel 1:12; John 12:13; Revelation 7:9
In structure, the date palm is unique among Middle Eastern trees. The single tall, unbranched trunk with immense leaves often over 2 meters (6 feet) long makes a striking figure, especially when in adesert with little other vegetation. Not only is the date palm beautiful but it is the basis of existence in desert regions, providing construction material with leaves for thatching, logs for construction (although the trunk is of little value as sawn timber), and shade. In short, it is an icon of desert civilization, one of the reasons it is the most frequently mentioned plant in the Quran.
The imagery of the date palm, Phoenix dactylifera, is used in both the Old and New Testaments. This tree is also the basis for geographic names of sites with groves of palm trees. For example, Jericho is referred to as the “city of palm trees” (Deuteronomy 34:3; Judges 1:16, 3:13; 2 Chronicles 28:15), no doubt because of the oases there as well as the distinct climate – hot and dry. Elim (Exodus 15:27), one of the first stops after the Children of Israel crossed the Red Sea, was characterized by 70 palm trees.
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- A Dictionary of Bible Plants , pp. 48 - 52Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2011