Tree
Tree
prop. עֵוֹ, ets (δένδρον), which also signifies wood (ξῦλον); in Jer 6:6, the fern. עֵצָה, etsah, is used. Besides this generic term, there also occur peculiar words of a more distinct signification, e.g. אֵשֵׁל, eshel (1Sa 22:6; 1Sa 31:13; "grove" [q.v.] in Ge 21:33), which is thought to denote the tamarisk or else the terebbinth; אֵיל, eyl (Isa 61:3; Eze 31:14); Chald, אַילָן, ildan (Da 4:10 sq.), prob. the oak (q.v.); עֵוֹ הָדָר, ets hadar ("goodly tree," Le 23:40), עֵוֹ אָבֹת, nis aboth ("thick tree," ver. 40; Ne 8:15), and צֶאֶל, tsel ("shady tree," Job 40:21-22), which designate rather vigorous trees in general than specific varieties. SEE TABERNACLES, FESTIVAL OF. For a list of all the kinds of trees (including shrubs, plants, fruits, etc.) mentioned in the Bible, SEE BOTANY. See Taylor, Trees of Scripture (Lond. 1842).
In Eastern countries trees are not only graceful ornaments in the landscape, but essential to the comfort and support of the inhabitants. The Hebrews were forbidden to destroy the fruit-trees of their enemies in time of war, "for the tree of the field is man's life" (De 20:19-20). Trees of any kind are not now very abundant in Palestine. Some trees are found, by an examination of the internal zones, to attain to a very long age. There are some in existence which are stated to have attained a longevity of three thousand years, and for some of them a still higher antiquity is claimed. Individual trees in Palestine are often notable for historical and sacred associations (Thomson, Land and Book, 2, 151). SEE ALLON- BACHUTH; SEE MEONENIM.
