Ash
“Possibly 'tremulous' from the motion of the leaves, or from an Assyrian root meaning pine or cedar”
Summary
A tree mentioned once in Scripture, likely referring to a pine or fir rather than the true ash tree, which is not native to Palestine.
☩Biblical Reference
The Hebrew word oren appears only once in Scripture, in Isaiah's description of idolatry: 'He heweth him down cedars, and taketh the cypress and the oak... he planteth an ash, and the rain doth nourish it.' The prophet describes how foolish people use trees for both firewood and idol-making, highlighting the absurdity of worshipping something made from the same material used for common fuel.
☩Botanical Identification
The true ash (Fraxinus) is not native to Palestine, leading scholars to question the translation. Both the Septuagint and Vulgate render the word as 'pine,' and several learned commentators concur. The Hebrew oren may be connected to the Assyrian word irin, meaning fir, cedar, or an allied tree. Some suggest the stone pine (Pinus pinea), which flourishes without artificial watering—fitting the description that 'the rain doth nourish it.' Three varieties of ash do grow in Syria, but the context suggests a tree used in idol-making.
Related Verses43 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Ash," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Ash (1)," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).