Trees
TREES
Were frequently used as types of kings, or men of wealth and power, Psa 37:35 Isa 2:13 Dan 4:10-26 Zec 11:1,2 . The “tree of knowledge of good and evil” bore the forbidden fruit, by eating of which Adam fatally increased his knowledge-of good by its loss, of sin and woe by actual experience, Gen 2:9,17 . The “tree of life” may have been both an assurance and a means of imparting life, a seal of eternal holiness and bliss, if man had not sinned. Compare Jer 22:2 .
Fuente: American Tract Society Bible Dictionary
TREES
The two kinds of tree most often mentioned in the Bible are the fruit bearing trees, the fig and the olive (Deu 8:8; Mar 11:1; Mar 11:3; see FIG; OLIVE). The tree most valued for making buildings and furniture was the cedar. It grew in Lebanon and was the most beautiful, enduring and expensive timber available (Isa 2:12-13; Isa 10:34; Isa 35:2; Isa 60:13; see LEBANON). The tabernacle, along with its furniture, was constructed of acacia wood, a timber that was readily available in the Sinai region. Acacia wood, being light, was very suitable for a portable structure such as the tabernacle (Exo 25:10; Exo 26:15).
Among the other trees mentioned in the Bible are algum (2Ch 2:8; 2Ch 9:10), cypress (2Ch 2:8), plane (Isa 60:13), myrtle (Isa 41:19; Neh 8:15), balsam (2Sa 5:23), oak (Jdg 6:11; 2Sa 18:9), willow (Job 40:22; Psa 137:2), sycamine (Luk 17:6), broom (1Ki 19:4), lotus (Job 40:22) and palm (Exo 15:27; Psa 92:12).
Fuente: Bridgeway Bible Dictionary
TREES
Trees were at first, in the primitive way of building, used for pillars; and agreeably to this they denote in the symbolical language, according to their respective bulks and height, the several degrees of great or rich men, or the nobles of a kingdom; as in Zec 11:1-2, “Open thy doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour thy cedars. Howl, 0 fir-tree, for the cedar is fallen, because all the mighty are spoiled. Howl, 0 ye oaks of Basan, for the forest of the vintage is come down.” Where the words, ” all the mighty are spoiled,” shew that the prophecy does not point at trees but at men.
See, to the same purpose, Isa 2:13; Isa 10:17-19; Isa 14:8; Jer 22:7; Jer 22:23; Eze 31:4.
The Oneirocritics are very full in this particular; as the Persian and Egyptian in ch. cxlii., and all of them in chaps. cli. and clxv., where trees blown down with the wind signify the destruction of great men.
Homer, who has many remnants and notions of the Eastern learning, and whose comparisons are exactly just, very often compares his heroes to trees; as in L. xiv., Hector, felled by a stone, is compared to an oak overturned by a thunderbolt. In L. iv., the fall of Simolsius is compared to that of a poplar; and in L. xvii. that of Euphorbus to the fall of a beautiful olive.
A tree exceeding great may be the symbol of a king or monarchy, as in Dan 4; and as the vine, in the dream of Astyages, cited by Valerius Maximus:f1
As Trees denote great men and princes, so boughs, branches, sprouts, or plants denote their offspring. In conformity to which way of speaking, Christ, in Isa 11:1, in respect of his human nature, is styled “A rod of the stem of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots,” that is, a prince arising from the family of David.
Thus in the dream of Clytemnestra in Sophocles,f2 from the sceptre of Agamemnon fixed by himself in the ground, a sprout arising, spreading, and overshadowing all his kingdom, denoted that a young prince of his blood should arise, and, dispossessing the tyrant gisthus of his government, should be settled in the kingdom, to govern and protect it. To the same purpose is the dream of Nassereddin Sebekteghin, cited by Herbelot, that a tree grew and increased insensibly out of his hearth in the middle of his chamber, which stretched out its branches all over the room, and going out at the windows did cover the whole house; all which is explained of his son’s conquering the greatest part of Asia. So in Cassiodorus,f3 Baltheum Germen is a young prince of the Balthean race.
In Homer , a bough of Mars, for a son of Mars, often occurs; as in his catalogue of ships, Il. ii. vers. 47, 170, 211, 252, 349. And the like kind of expression is used in Pindar, and other Greek authors.f4 And so in our English tongue, the word imp, which is originally Saxon, and denotes a plant, is used to the same purpose, particularly by Fox the Martyrologist, who calls King Edward VI. an imp of great hope; and by Thomas Cromwell Earl of Essex, in his dying speech, who has the same expression concerning the same prince.
A CEDAR denotes an empire, as in Eze 31:3, where the Assyrian empire is represented under the image of a majestic cedar of prodigious growth.
“GREEN TREE,” denotes the righteous; “dry tree,” the wicked, as appears from Eze 20:47, compared with Eze 21:4. In the latter passage the prophet repeats in plain language what, in the former, he had spoken in symbolical.
ROOT is the producer and bearer of a tree, and so denotes the origin from whence a person has his rise or being.
Thus Christ, who in respect of his human nature is the offspring, the son and successor of David in the government of the Jews, is also, in respect of his Divine nature, the root of David, the Lord from whom David received his government over the Jews.
LEAVES of a TREE are explained by the Oneirocritics in ch. xv. of (of the common sort of men), as trees themselves are the symbols of and , of the better sort of men, and of the nobles of the kingdom.
According to the same Interpreters, leaves in their prime, being green, strong, and whole, denote men of a sound judgment; but leaves weak, stinking, and withered, men of a weak judgment and depraved manners.
The same authors, in ch. cc., consider the symbol in another light, explaining leaves of clothes; upon the account of the analogy of the one to the other, in that both serve for a covering.
FIG TREES, taken symbolically, signify women. Thus in Artemidorus, L. v. c. 35, there is a dream of a fig-tree growing, from which figs are gathered, which is explained of receiving an inheritance from a female relation. And in Plinyf5 there is an account of a fig-tree being found growing upon the top of the Capitol, in the same place where a palm-tree had before stood, and was blown down with the wind, which was understood by Piso of the growing lewdness of the Romans.
Fig Tree is the symbol of the Jewish nation, as in Luk 13:6; Luk 13:9, and in Mat 21:19, where our Lord’s act is symbolical of the judgments about to fall on them. In Jer 24. the Jewish people are represented by two baskets of figs, the one basket very good, like the figs that are first ripe; and the other basket very naughty figs, which could not be eaten, they were so bad, Jer 24:2-3.f6
OLIVE TREE, upon the account of its verdure, soundness, and the usefulness of the oil it produces, is, with the Oneirocritics, ch. cc., the symbol of a person happy, blessed, and praise-worthy. And thus the Psalmist, in describing the happiness of a man blessed of God, says, “His children shall be like the olive branches round about his table.”
In Artemidorus, L. ii., the olive tree is the symbol of a wife, of combat, principality, and liberty.
In the prophet Zec 4:3; Zec 4:11; Zec 4:14, the two olive trees on either side of the lamp sconces, pouring oil into the lamps, are there explained to be the two anointed ones; that is, two heads of the captivity-the one Zorobabel, as captain of the people; the other Joshua, as high priest.
This type plainly signified, that those two heads did maintain the nation of the captive Jews, both as to their ecclesiastical and civil state; even as the olive trees which afford oil do maintain the light in the lamps, the symbols of government.
An olive tree is also the symbol of the Church. Jer 11:16 “The Lord called thy name a green olive tree, fair, and of goodly fruit.” The same symbol is adopted (Rom 11:17; Rom 11:24) where the conversion of the Gentiles is described by the figure of a wild olive grafted into a good olive, and thus producing valuable fruit.
TREE of LIFE is a tree that gives fruit to eternal life, so that they who eat thereof continually shall never die.
It is thus explained Gen 3:22, and is therefore a proper symbol to signify immortality.
From the happiness of eating of the tree of life in Paradise, any sort of true happiness or joy may come under the symbol of a tree of life; as in Pro 15:4, “A. wholesome tongue is a tree of life;” and so also in Pro 11:30, “Hope deferred maketh the heart sick; but when the desire cometh it is a tree of life.”
GRASS As trees signify princes, nobles, and rich men, so by the rule of analogy grass must signify the common people. And in the Holy Scriptures men are compared to grass, as in 1Pe 1:24; Isa 40:6-7.
F1 Val. M. L. i. c. 7. Ext. 5.
F2 Soph. Electr. ver. 418, &c
F3 Cass. Var. L. viii. Ep. 5,
F4 Pind. Olymp. 2. & 6.
F5 Plin. Nat. Hist. L. xvii. c. 35.
F6 The promise of a return, after the expiration of seventy years, was given, not to the Jews in general, but to those only who were at that time at Babylon, as will appear by comparing Jer 24:5-7, with xxix. 10, 11. That the rest of the nation was not included in this promise, is plain from xxiv. 8-10, and xxix. 16-is. This is overlooked by those who interpret the prophecies which relate to the restoration of the Jewish people, as having received their accomplishment at the return from Babylon,
Fuente: A Symbolical Dictionary
TREES
(1) Laws Concerning
Lev 19:23; Lev 27:30; Deu 16:21; Deu 20:19
(2) Evil, Sinners Compared to
Psa 37:35; Mat 7:18; Luk 3:9; Jud 12:
(3) Saints as
Num 24:6; Psa 1:3; Psa 52:8; Psa 92:12; Isa 61:3; Jer 17:8; Eze 47:7; Hos 14:6
(4) Varieties Mentioned
Almond
Num 17:8; Ecc 12:5; Jer 1:11
Aloes
Psa 45:8; Pro 7:17; Son 4:14; Joh 19:39
Apple
Son 2:3; Son 8:5
Ash
Isa 44:14
Bay
Psa 37:35
Box
Isa 41:19
Cedars
1Ki 4:33; 2Ki 14:9; Psa 29:5; Psa 80:10; Psa 104:16; Isa 2:13
Cedars of Lebanon
2Ki14:9; 2Ch 2:8; Psa 92:12; Isa 40:16; Hos 14:5
Chestnut
Eze 31:8
Cypress
Isa 44:14
Fig
Jdg 9:10; 1Ki 4:25; Pro 27:18; Hab 3:17; Mat 21:19; Luk 13:6; Luk 21:29
Joh 1:48; Jam 3:12; Rev 6:13
Fir
Isa 14:8; Isa 41:19; Isa 55:13; Isa 60:13; Hos 14:8
Juniper
1Ki 19:4
Mulberry
2Sa 5:23
Myrtle
Neh 8:15; Isa 41:19; Isa 55:13; Zec 1:8
Oaks
Gen 35:4; Jos 24:26; Jdg 6:11; 2Sa 18:9; 1Ki 13:14; Isa 1:29; Isa 6:13
Oil
Isa 41:19
Olive
Jdg 9:9; Psa 52:8; Zec 4:3; Rom 11:17; Rev 11:4
Palm
Exo 15:27; Deu 34:3; Son 7:7; Jer 10:5; Joe 1:12
Pine
Isa 41:19
Pomegranate
1Sa 14:2
Shittah
Exo 36:20
Sycomore
1Ki 10:27; 1Ch 27:28; Psa 78:47; Isa 9:10; Amo 7:14; Luk 19:4
Teil
Isa 6:13
Willows
Lev 23:40; Job 40:22; Psa 137:2; Isa 15:7; Isa 44:4; Eze 17:5
Fuente: Thompson Chain-Reference Bible
Trees
Deu 16:21 (b) These groves were very immoral and vile inventions of wicked men. They were not groves of trees, as we understand a grove. They were human creations to arouse the passions and lead to vile immoralities. (See under “GROVE”).
Jdg 9:8 (a) This is an interesting allegory. The olive tree represents a leader who was wise, kind, helpful and fruitful. The fig tree represents an Israelite who was busy and useful in the service of his people. The people could not find a worthwhile man to rule over them, and so they took the bramble, which was Abimelech, to be their King. They chose a man who brought them into terrible trouble.
1Ch 16:33 (b) This is a poetic picture of all the people of Israel who would rejoice and sing when their King, the Messiah, returns to be their Lord and leader. (See Psa 96:12).
Psa 74:5 (b) This is a case of irony. It is equivalent to the woman who boasted that she had made more quilts in the sewing circle than anybody else. When questioned about her spiritual condition, she had never been born again, knew nothing about the Scriptures, and had no spiritual experience. It is like the man who wore 42 Sunday school medals on his coat for faithful attendance, and yet could not quote a verse of Scripture, and had no experience of meeting the Saviour.
Psa 104:16 (b) It is quite evident that those who are the “planting of the Lord” and know the Holy Spirit are vigorous, active Christians as a tree is filled with leaves and fruit when the sap is flowing.
Psa 148:9 (b) Those praise GOD in song and worship who are living fruitful, useful, valuable lives for their Lord.
Son 2:3 (a) CHRIST is the apple tree in this verse. Those who love Him love to be with Him, and to partake of the riches of His grace which He gives so freely.
Isa 10:19 (b) GOD promises to destroy the leaders of Israel until they are few in number. The leaders are the trees.
Isa 55:12 (b) These trees represent the happy people of GOD and their leaders because of the restoration of Israel under the good hand of their GOD. As there are many kinds of trees, and many sizes of trees, so the verse indicates that all kinds of people in the nation of Israel will enjoy the presence of the Lord and His blessings.
Isa 61:3 (a) The people of GOD are called “trees of righteousness” when they are restored, and are again a growing, fruitful nation.
Eze 47:7 (b) The river which represents the Holy Spirit, when operating freely, produces converts, saved people who become trees of righteousness, planted by the river, and bearing fruit. This should be true in every orthodox, evangelical church.
Mat 3:10 (b) Our Lord indicates in this verse that GOD gets at the bottom of things and examines thoroughly the motives and purposes of those He judges. (See Luk 3:9).
Mar 8:24 (a) In Oriental countries where the houses are made of branches of trees, men go to the water courses, cut down branches of willows, and other trees, and carry these home to be used for thatch. As the men walk along the road carrying these great masses of leafy branches, it is difficult to see their feet or legs. This blind man had never seen such a sight. When he saw the mass of trees going down the road, and could not see the legs of the carriers, he thought that the trees were walking. As he became more accustomed to looking, he finally discerned beneath the branches the bodies of the men who were carrying them. This is a picture of the way untaught Christians misinterpret the Scriptures. Not knowing the Holy Spirit as their teacher they get wrong impressions from various portions of the Word, and so come to wrong conclusions. This leads to the establishment of false religions.
Mar 11:13 (b) The fig tree always represents Israel in her national position. (The olive tree represents Israel from the religious viewpoint. See under “FIG”). Our Lord had come to Israel expecting to receive from them a royal welcome as their King. They should have rendered to Him praise, worship and obedience. He found nothing but a profession of faith in GOD (the leaves). He therefore cursed the nation of Israel, and they became dispersed throughout the whole world.
Luk 21:29 (a) Our Lord describes in this passage the beginning of the restoration of Israel which we see today. The fig tree is Israel. It has been revived as a nation. All the other nations are busy seeking to reject Israel as a nation, and refuse all her claims.
Jud 1:12 (a) By this figure the Lord is telling us of His hatred of the hypocrite who intrudes himself into GOD’s church and infiltrates the people of GOD with his hypocrisy. He produces no fruit for GOD. His influence wanes. He is dead to GOD and useless to his fellowmen, and has no posterity. Each type of a tree represents a different truth as follows:
Palm tree – it represents the individual Christian life living for GOD in the midst of adverse conditions such as the palm tree has in the desert. It sends its tap root down a great distance until it finds water, and then flourishes. So the Christian finds the secret place of fellowship with GOD, drinks the water of life from the Word of GOD, walks with the Spirit of GOD, and so is a radiant believer. (See Psa 92:12).
Cedar tree – it represents the collective Christian life, for cedars grow in forests and not as the palm tree which dwells almost alone. Cedars help each other. They support each other. They protect each other. So Christians seek the fellowship of other Christians.
Fig tree – it represents Israel from the political standpoint as a nation.
Olive tree – it represents Israel from the religious standpoint as the people of GOD.
Willow tree – it represents the sorrowing believer because of separation from loved ones, or from the homeland.
Oak tree – it represents sorrow because of death. Deborah was buried under an oak tree. (Gen 35:8). Absalom died in an oak tree. (2Sa 18:14). Saul was buried under an oak tree. (1Ch 10:12). The bitterness of the oak tree is compared to the bitterness of death.
Fir tree – it represents the happy, radiant Christian life under every circumstance and throughout the year.
Myrtle tree – it represents joyous experiences in the Christian life.
Pine tree – it represents prosperity for those who walk with GOD, and believe Him.
Thorn tree – it represents the disagreeable life filled with antagonisms, criticisms and hatreds.