Sycamine
Summary
The black mulberry tree, mentioned by Jesus to illustrate the power of faith—even faith as small as a mustard seed could uproot it.
☩Identification
The sycamine (Greek 'sukaminos') mentioned in Luke 17:6 is distinct from the sycamore (Greek 'sukomoraia') of Luke 19:4. It is the mulberry tree (Morus nigra), the black mulberry being native to Persia and common in the Holy Land. The tree is lofty, affords excellent shade, and produces a compound fruit of fine flavor greatly prized in the East.
☩Christ's Teaching
Jesus said, 'If ye had faith as a grain of mustard-seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.' Some object that the mulberry, with its short, feeble roots, is easily plucked up—hundreds are uprooted yearly for firewood. But Jesus habitually drew illustrations from the commonplace rather than the heroic, making familiar things speak heavenly truths.
Related Verses1 mention
Luke· 1 verse
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Sycamine," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. X (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Sycamine, tree," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. V (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Sycamine," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
- 4.James Hastings (ed.), "Sycamine," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).