Crusade BibleCrusade Bible
SYCAMORE. Sacred geography, and antiquities (1872) by Barrows, E. P. (Elijah Porter), 1807-1888 / Publisher New York : American Tract Society(14585362468)Internet Archive Book Images · 1872 · No restrictions

Sycamore

שִׁקְמָה/SIK-uh-mor/

“Fig-Mulberry”

Summary

A large fig-mulberry tree abundant in Egypt and Palestine, valued for its shade, edible fruit, and durable wood used for furniture and coffins.

☩Description

The sycamore (Ficus sycomorus), also called the fig-mulberry, is a tree of great importance in Egypt and Palestine. It attains the size of a walnut tree with wide-spreading branches that afford delightful shade, making it frequently planted along waysides. Its leaves are heart-shaped, downy on the underside, and fragrant. The fruit grows directly from the trunk on small sprigs in clusters resembling grapes.

Key verses:1 Kings 10:27Isaiah 9:10

☩Cultivation and Uses

To make the fruit edible, each piece must be punctured with a sharp instrument three or four days before gathering—this was the occupation of the prophet Amos before his call. The tree is evergreen and bears fruit several times yearly without fixed seasons, making it invaluable to the poor as a permanent food source. So great was its value that David appointed a special overseer for the sycamore groves, just as he did for the olive trees. The destruction of Egypt's sycamores by hailstones was counted among her heaviest calamities.

Key verses:Amos 7:141 Chronicles 27:28Psalm 78:47

☩Wood and Durability

Though the wood is porous, it is exceedingly durable, suffering neither from moisture nor heat. Egyptian mummy coffins made of sycamore wood remain perfectly sound after thousands of years of entombment. It was also used for doors and large furniture such as sofas, tables, and chairs.

☩Biblical Significance

The most notable New Testament reference is when Zacchaeus climbed a sycamore tree in Jericho to see Jesus passing by. The sycamore of the Bible bears no resemblance to the North American buttonwood tree or the European maple that share its name.

Key verses:Luke 19:4

Related Verses8 mentions

2 Chronicles· 2 verses

1:159:27

1 Kings· 1 verse

10:27

Isaiah· 1 verse

9:10

1 Chronicles· 1 verse

27:28

See Also

A Landscape
Botany

References

  1. 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Sycamore," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. X (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  2. 2.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Sycamore," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
  3. 3.George Morrish, "Sycamore," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
  4. 4.John McClintock and James Strong, "Sycamore," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. X (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  5. 5.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Sycamore," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
  6. 6.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Sycamore," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
  7. 7.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Sycamore," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
  8. 8.George Morrish, "Sycamore," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
  9. 9.John McClintock and James Strong, "Sycamore," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. X (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  10. 10.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Sycamore," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
  11. 11.John McClintock and James Strong, "Sycamore," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. X (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).