The Palm Tree in the Bible (2) Full of Rich Symbolism
André H. Roosma 28 January 2012
(NL orig.: 11 Jan. 2012)
The Bible presents a lot of symbolism featuring the palm tree.
God refers in His Word to a number of characteristic aspects of
the palm tree:
- an abundance of especially refreshing fruits;
- its growth: rather fast, and straight up;
- the ever-green leaves at its top;
- with its raised branches/leaves (the official term
is: fronds) at its top it seems to worship God the way it was done
in Biblical times: with raised arms;
- to that end, those fronds let themselves easily moved by the wind (compare: the Spirit of God);
- by its example and by its fruits it stimulates men to look up and to
listen to God.
The most widely used Biblical Hebrew word for ‘palm tree’ is
תמר - tamar. In the
old pictographic script1 this is: - literally:
‘the sign of water/abundance of the Other
(God)’!
The first time this word tamar appears in the Bible is in Exodus 15:
27 (parallel in Numbers 22: 9):
Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees; and they encamped there by the water.
On their voyage from Egypt the people of Israel came in Elim, where, it
says, there were 70 palm trees. Now 70 is in the Bible the number of great
fullness. Did one date palm in the desert already mean good news, a fullness
of palm trees was extraordinarily refreshing for the people.
Together with the twelve water wells (one for every
tribe) this was typically a sign of God’s blessing and care for
them. He granted them to be refreshed and to receive new energy.
Psalm 92: 13-16 states:
The righteous flourish like the palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. /
They are planted in the house of YaHUaH,
they flourish in the courts of our God. / They still bring forth fruit in
old age, they are ever full of sap and green, / to show that YaHUaH is upright; He is my Rock, and there is
no unrighteousness (evil) in Him.
The righteous, that is: the man or woman walking in connection with God
YaHUaH (the LORD2), will grow like a palm tree. Via the associations mentioned above,
that calls to mind an image of being upright (upright is
straight up!) fast growth in spiritual maturity, being always fresh
like the fronds of the palm tree, and worshipping God incessantly, moved by
the wind of God’s Spirit. The result is a rich harvest of fruits
– that even continues with age. The consequence is that they show or
proclaim (through all of their lives) that YaHUaH is truthful; that He is real and a Rock
you can build on!
Hallelu YaH !
Footnotes
1 |
More information on the old Biblical script, as referred
to here, in the Hallelu-YaH Draft Research Report:
‘The Written Language of Abraham,
Moses and David – A study of the pictographic roots and basic notions
in the underlying fabric of the earliest Biblical script’ , a living document by
André H. Roosma, 1st English version: 18 April
2011 (1st Dutch original:
January 2011). |
2 |
The glorious Name of God I presented here - as well as
I could - from the oldest Hebrew original, instead of replacing this grand
personal Name of The Most High by a common word, such as ‘Lord’.
For more background information on this see: André H. Roosma,
‘The wonderful and lovely
Name of the God Who was there, Who is there, and Who will be there’ , extensive Accede! / Hallelu-YaH! study, July 2009. André H. Roosma, ‘Life, security
and belonging in joyful adoration, from the hand of God’ ,
Hallelu-YaH! web-article, Januari 2011. |
Palm trees in the Bible:
- Palm tree - tamar/tamarim: Exodus 15: 27 (Numbers 22: 9);
Deuteronomy 34: 3; Psalm 92: 12; Song of Songs 7: 7-8; Joel 1: 12.
- Palm tree or palm trunk (/column/pole) - tomèr: Judges
4: 5; Jeremiah 10: 5; (note that the difference between tamar and
tomer is a later interpretation; in the original symbols they
are exactly the same).
- (Graven) images of palm trees - timor/timorot/timorim:
1 Kings 6: 29, 32, 35; 7: 36; 2 Chronicles 3: 5; Ezekiel 40: 16, 22,
26, 31, 34, 37; 41: 18-20, 25-26.
- Palm branches/leaves/fronds - kapot / ‘alei tamarim:
Leviticus 23: 40; Nehemiah 8: 15.
Id. baia ton phoinikon (NT): John 12: 13. Id. phoinikes (NT): Revelation 7: 9.
- Palm city (Jericho) - ‘ir hattemarim: Judges 1: 16; 3: 13; 2 Chronicles 28: 15.
- Palm tree (?) - ’ajil/ pl: ’elim:
Exodus 15: 27 (Numbers 22: 9).
See also the Jewish Encyclopedia article on the Tree of Life,
and Genesis' "Tree of Life" is a Date Palm? at
the Bible Origins .net website.
Elsewhere it is noted that ‘Ancient civilizations
revered palm trees as symbols of fertility,
peace, and victory.’ (emphasis mine).
Pastor Paul A. Gazo (Jesus Christ Apostolic 5-fold
ministry)
Anointed, Powerful... its a great Blessings for
our churches here. Thank you for the very nice message about the Palm
Tree. I can use this message during my preaching and teaching engagement
to our churches. Thank you very much! God Bless you more. Respectfully, Pastor Paul A. Gazo Founder/President of JCA
5-fold minstry
André (author)
Thanks Pastor Paul! Yes, I thank God for the
great insight He gives into His Word! Do look further around here! God bless you too,
and your ministry! Sincerely,
Silvia Bukovec
Dear Pr André,
I was looking for a biblical explanation of a beautiful vision I had last week
during one of our prayer meetings, and I believe I found it in your article. I saw this tall beautiful palm tree standing in the middle of a desert and
underneath the tree I saw a crystal clear pond with children happily playing in
it, and water drops splashing through the air. the desert was beautiful and not
dreary looking at all. It had a soft look to it and shone beautifully in the
sunshine under a blue sky. Thank you for putting this article on the web. God bless you abundantly! Silvia
André (author)
Thanks Silvia! For sharing your vision. It fits
well with the Biblical notion of the palm tree indeed! God bless you richly
as well!
Eva Marsee
I had a dream last night, 11-19-14, I dreamed I
looked out my back window here in Kentucky and there was a huge palm tree
growing. I called everyone to come and look. I commented about palm trees
can’t grow in Kentucky. The tree was very tall and very wide at the top
because it was full of coconuts. Hundreds of coconuts. Thank you for your
wonderful teaching. I am encouraged that God is doing great works in His
church His people. God bless you.
André (author)
Thanks Eva! For sharing your dream. Yes, I
see God give people dreams of the full life He wants to give us in abundance,
and to be shared with others, by reference to a palm tree! God bless you
richly too!
Trisch
I was doing a study on the names in Exodus 6,
and found your article - - I truly believe I was led to it! God is confirming
His Word to me about 2015 being the year of worship and Presence! Thank you!
André (author)
Thanks Trisch! Wow, 2015 - a year of worship
and Presence! Yes, that’s what de palm tree symbolized! Do note also
the other articles in this series on The Palm
Tree in the Bible. I wondered though: Could you perhaps elaborate a
little on the way in which you could associate 2015 with a palm tree? May God bless us all richly in worshipping Him and practicing His wonderful
presence in the new year!
Seth
Thank you for sharing the insight that The LORD
has given you regarding palm trees! Recently my family and I had to relocate
our home. As I was reading your article The LORD reminded me that we have palm
trees in our new front yard (1 for each member of our family, and 1 more
for our next child). I am amazed that He has such incredible provision
for each of us. I am especially in awe of Him, because this year the focus in
our church is the very topic of Righteousness. He is calling each of us higher
and closer to Himself. Incredible! His wisdom and goodness are beyond finding
out!
André (author)Thanks Seth! Yes, our Lord YaHUaH is great in giving us Life in
abundance out of His goodness and mercy! And palm trees are a great sign
of that and of our response to grow straight up to Him and worship Him. God bless you all in the new home! Keep on rejoicing in Him!
Mary
I too had a vision of Palm trees. I wondered the
meaning? My thoughts went to the foot of the cross and our risen Saviour....
and His wonderful gift of salvation and eternal life. It caused me to want a
deeper understanding of the significance of Palm trees in Jewish tradition.
André (author)Thanks Mary! Yes, the palm tree certainly includes a reference to the
cross on which our glorious Saviour died for our sins, in order to rise after
three days and overcome even death! We live in Him! Hallelu YaH! Do read
the other articles in this series as
well and share my amazement. God bless you!
Chala olani
Thank you indeed man of God! You revealed a hidden
things to me. I would like to subscribe to your page! GOD BLESS YOU!
André (author)Thanks for the encouragement, Chala olani! Yes, it is great to study the
Bible and the culture of the time it was written, under the guidance of
God’s Holy Spirit! Hallelu JaH ! Unfortunately, I
don’t have a subscription mechanism in place yet, but do check out the
news page regularly and you’ll be updated. God bless you too!
Norma Goldsmith
We had an awesome time during worship today, and
someone said they see me as a palm tree and they could see a palm tree,
looking at what’s happening in my life, your insight just filled me with
joy! Thank you for the insight. I will continue to lift my hands in worship,
and continued to be filled and be sensitive to His presence. I look forward to
fast growth, ever-green life rooted in Him. Jesus is Lord.
André (author)Thanks for your appreciative reaction, Norma! Yes, rooted in Jesus we
can anticipate to worship Him, grow, florish and bear life-giving
fruit!
Iris
Thank you for the nurture you give here. God
showed us to be sure to have pictures of the palm tree in our home... now we
understand why... it is one of the ways He represents His blessing...
Deborah sat under a palm tree and it was a place of her anointing. Thank you.
André (author)Thanks for your appreciative reaction, Iris! Yes, the date palm is a
great sign of God’s rich blessings! And the significant case of
Deborah guiding Israel from under her date palm is mentioned also in the next article in this series.
PhilipGod bless you
for the revelational exposition about the palm tree, frond. I had a dream
where I was holding palm frond and walked into a service with it. I'm glad
for the victory and peace God has given me and to the body of Christ.
Thanks
André (author)Thanks for your blessing reaction, Philip! Yes, indeed the palm fronds
are a wonderful sign of the shalom and victorious glory God YaHUaH
grace-fully shares with His community, the Body of Christ.
cynthia churchThank
you! I was asking the Lord about the palm tree and it's importance. When I was reading out of Revelation the palm trees are on the pillars of
the temple to be built! Yesterday the HOLY SPIRIT lead me to psalms 92 as
I was worshiping and singing this psalm...ask and He delivers...now I find
your notes! Thank you....off to paint them on canvas! Blessings brother!
André (author)Thanks for your encouraging reaction and blessing, Cynthia! You are
going to make a painting of palm trees? I’d be delighted to receive
a photo of your work, when it’s finished! Blessings to you as
well!
Prophet A.D. Joshuaawwww wonderful man of YaHUaH, may the Lord continue to enlighten
you and grant you peaceful time to work more and make our works easier, you
made my studies easier, and I have had more brilliant insight from your
messages, will love to follow you up more more knowlegde and culture
from the Lord Jesus. Thank you be blessed
André (author)Thanks, brother A.D., for your appreciation and blessing! Good to hear
you enjoy what God has given me. To YaHUaH be all praise! He is
magnificent! Do look further around here on this website! (e.g. via the
articles index or
the news page) God bless
you too!
thamarthanx a lot I wanted to know the meaning of my name be blessed double
double
André (author)Thanks, Thamar, for your appreciation and blessing! Do look further
here as I said above! God bless you too!
VivienDear Andre, Thank you for this inspirational article. Tomorrow is Palm
Sunday and for the first time I have secured some beautiful palm branches
to take with me and praying now that some of your insights will be as great
a blessing to others as they have been to me. I was given a piece of paper
whilst out in a church in North Carolina by a young man with the words of
Psalm 92 on it, it was a blessing to receive then but even more a blessing
now that I understand the significance of the palm tree. I will look with
anticipation at your other articles later. May every seed sown produce a
mighty harvest. Shalom
André (author)Dear Vivien, Thanks for your appreciation and blessing! Yes, the more
we understand of the old culture, and what nature meant for the people there
and then, the richer the Bible becomes and the more we stand in awe. What
strikes me in Psalm 92:12-14, is how flourishing in relationship with God
indeed precedes bearing fruit. Cultivators of date palms knew that already in
ancient times, and took their time to pollinate the flowers. Demanding fruit
from ourselves or other people will not work, if the prior preparation in
the presence of God has not taken place. Goal of it all is: “To shew
that YaHUaH [the LORD] is
upright.” (vs 15). God bless you as well, and much pleasure reading
further!
derek stapleBrilliant, such a pleasure to read yours and the contributions of others
André (author)Thanks, Derek, for your appreciative encouragement!
JudithI am so blessed by the exposition of the symbolic nature of palm trees.
This verse is one of my favourite which I declare in every time. God bless
André (author)Thanks, Judith, for your appreciative encouragement! God continue to bless
you too!
PriscillaThanks so much for your write up. It has encouraged me a lot. I was led to
use palm trees as my Facebook page. I have more peace and joy using it.
André (author)Thanks, Priscilla, for your appreciative encouragement! Read the other
pages on it as well (see below)? YaH bless you!
Elder Carl AndersonGreat revelation on the Palm tree, now I know why I fell in love w them in
Florida; they symbolize Gods greatness and my Victories in God, Blessings
to you Sir
André (author)Thanks, Carl! YaH bless you too!
Tammy FranklinI have been looking at different meanings to my name Tammy (Tami). I used
to really dislike my name until now. The description that I found here on
this website warms my heart. I can relate to its very message and makes
me happy to have my name. Thank you.
André (author)Thanks, Tammy! Wear your name with joy! YaH bless you!
Pastor Bolaji IgeDear Andre Peace. Thank you for your insight on the palm tree as a
symbol of righteousness and God's wisdom. A few days ago I cast my line to
catch a fish. I did this as a demonstration of my faith to find in the mouth
of the first fish I caught treasure that will help me take care of some
present need in ministry (Matthew 17:24-27). The first fish I caught had four
palm kernel fruits in its belly. I have wandered since then what this meant.
Searching the web,I found your article. Perhaps you could share with me any
insights you may have on this. Thank you. God bless you. Because of
Jesus Pastor Ige
André (author)Thanks, Bojali Ige, for sharing your story and your frank question! As I
explain in one of these articles, the palm and its fruit symbolically
represent (new) life. Kernels of it thus may represent the potential of new
life, or new life to come. It's like with any seed that may be sown to bear
fruit and multiply; in this case it's specifically life that is shared and
multiplied. Four is the letter dalet, the door or entrance. So what
I see in your story is an entrance, an open door to new life to be sown or
shared. (Could that be applicable?) Thus I say: YaH bless you in
your ministry of sharing His life in abundance!
Collin D CambridgeDear Pr Thank you for this knowledge. At Bible study yesterday the subject
of the Palm tree/leaves came up. Grateful to share this information when next
we meet at bible study. God Bless you. Please pray for the members of our
bible study that we may embrace the symbol of the palm tree, and serve God
in Fullness.
André (author)Thank you, Collin, for your encouraging feedback! May YaHUaH
bless you and your Bible study group, in embracing the rich symbolism of the
Bible and in serving Him in fullness! Note also the other articles in this series on The Palm
Tree in the Bible.
The other articles in this series on the Palm Tree in the Bible are: ‘(1) - Symbol of the
Tree of Life’, ‘(3) - Sign of
God’s presence and speaking’, ‘(4) - Moses and the
Big Fire in the Palm-Top’, ‘(5) - The
‘language’ of the palm tree’, ‘(6) - Pole and Palisade’, ‘(7) - More on the word
Tamar and a very young Palm Tree’, ‘The great golden Menorah – Sign of
God’s Presence’.
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