Willow
“Ereb, related to Arabic gharab for willow; associated with streams and watercourses”
Summary
The willow was a tree growing near water in Palestine, whose branches were used for the joyful Feast of Tabernacles, though it later became a symbol of sorrow associated with the Babylonian exile.
☩The Tree
The Hebrew ereb appears to be a generic term for willows, including the weeping willow (Salix Babylonica) that grows abundantly on the banks of the Euphrates. Willows require plentiful water, found along the Jordan River and near streams. Several species of Salix grow in Palestine including Salix alba and Salix viminalis (osier). The willow can grow up to forty feet high, with leaves similar to the olive. Another term, tsaphtsaphah, may refer to a different willow or osier species found by water.
☩Joyful and Sorrowful Associations
God commanded Israel to take branches of willows and other trees to make booths for the Feast of Tabernacles as a token of rejoicing. However, after the Babylonian exile, the willow became forever associated with sorrow through the poignant Psalm of the captives: 'By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept...we hanged our harps upon the willows.' This transformation from symbol of joy to emblem of grief mirrors Israel's experience of exile. Jews still present willows bound with palm and myrtle in their synagogues annually.
Related Verses6 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Willow," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. X (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Willow Tree," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. V (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.American Tract Society, "Willow," in American Tract Society Bible Dictionary (American Tract Society, 1859).
- 4.Chad Brand, Charles Draper, and Archie England (ed.), "Willow," in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (Holman Bible Publishers, 2003).