Chestnut Tree
“From a root meaning 'to be naked' or 'to strip off bark'”
Summary
A tree mentioned in Scripture, now generally identified as the Oriental plane tree rather than the true chestnut.
☩Identification
The Hebrew word 'armon, translated 'chestnut tree' in older versions, is now generally identified as the Oriental plane tree (Platanus orientalis). All ancient translators rendered it as the plane tree, and modern scholars concur with this identification. The Revised Version reads 'plane-tree' in both Genesis 30:37 and Ezekiel 31:8. The Oriental plane thrives best in low and moist situations in northern Palestine.
☩Character and Use
The plane tree has a tall and stately trunk with smooth bark that annually falls off—its Hebrew root 'aaram' means 'to be naked' or 'to strip off bark.' Jacob pilled rods from this tree to set before his flock. In Ezekiel, the Assyrian empire is compared to the plane tree in beauty and strength. The tree spreads huge branches in all directions from its massive trunk, covered with broad, deeply-divided, glossy green leaves. It was considered one of the noblest trees in the vegetable kingdom, renowned for providing the best shade from both summer heat and winter cold.
References
- 1.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Chestnut Tree," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 2.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Chestnut Tree," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
- 3.Edwin W. Rice, "Chestnut Tree," in The People's Dictionary of the Bible (American Sunday-School Union, 1893).
- 4.John Kitto, "Chestnut-Tree," in A Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature, vol. I (Mark H. Newman, 1845).