Elm(terebinth)
אֵלָה/ELM/
“Terebinth (mistranslated as elm in KJV)”
Summary
A tree mentioned once in the KJV (Hosea 4:13), now identified as the terebinth rather than the European elm.
☩Identification
The word 'elm' appears only once in the King James Version, translating the Hebrew word 'elah' in Hosea 4:13. Modern scholarship recognizes this as an incorrect rendering—the 'elah' is the terebinth tree (Pistacia terebinthus), not the elm. Elsewhere in the KJV, the same Hebrew word is usually translated 'oak.' The Revised Version and modern translations render it as 'terebinth.' In the context, Hosea condemns the Israelites for offering sacrifice and burning incense under oaks, poplars, and terebinths (not elms) because of the pleasant shade they provided.
Key verses:Hosea 4:13
Related Verses1 mention
Hosea· 1 verse
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Elm," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. III (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Elm," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. II (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).