almond Summary and Overview

a native of Syria and Israel. In form, blossoms, and fruit it resembles the peach tree. Its blossoms are of a very pale pink colour, and appear before its leaves. Its Hebrew name, "shaked", signifying "wakeful, hastening," is given to it on account of its putting forth its blossoms so early, generally in February, and sometimes even in January. In Eccl. 12:5, it is referred to as illustrative, probably, of the haste with which old age comes. There are others, however, who still contend for the old interpretation here. "The almond tree bears its blossoms in the midst of winter, on a naked, leafless stem, and these blossoms (reddish or flesh-coloured in the beginning) seem at the time of their fall exactly like white snow-flakes. In this way the almond blossom is a very fitting symbol of old age, with its silvery hair and its wintry, dry, barren, unfruitful condition." In Jer. 1:11 "I see a rod of an almond tree [shaked]...for I will hasten [shaked] my word to perform it" the word is used as an emblem of promptitude. Jacob desired his sons (Gen. 43:11) to take with them into Egypt of the best fruits of the land, almonds, etc., as a present to Joseph, probably because this tree was not a native of Egypt. Aaron's rod yielded almonds (Num. 17:8; Heb. 9:4). Moses was directed to make certain parts of the candlestick for the ark of carved work "like unto almonds" (Ex. 25:33, 34). The Hebrew word "luz", translated "hazel" in the Authorized Version (Gen. 30:37), is rendered in the Revised Version "almond." It is probable that "luz" denotes the wild almond, while "shaked" denotes the cultivated variety.

Almond Tree; Almond. This word is found in #Ge 43:11; Ex 25:33,34; 37:19,20; Nu 17:8; Ec 12:5; Jer 1:11| in the text of the Authorized Version. It is invariably represented by the same Hebrew word, shaked meaning hasten. #Jer 1:11,12| The almond tree is a native of Asia and North Africa, but it is cultivated in the milder parts of Europe." It resembles the peach tree in form, blossom and fruit. It is in fact only another species of the same genus." The height of the tree is about 12 or 14 feet; the flowers are pink, and arranged for the most part in pairs, the leaves are long, ovate, with a serrated margin and an acute point. The covering of the fruit is down and succulent, enclosing the hard shell which contains the kernel. It is this but for which the tree is chiefly valued. It is curious to observe, in connection with the almond bowls of the golden candlestick, that, in the language of lapidaries, almonds are pieces of rock crystal, even now used in adorning branch candlesticks.

AL'MOND (Amygdalus communis), a tree resembling the peach in size, leaf, flower, and fruit. The fruit is green, almost pulpless, and shrivels off in September, leaving the nuts, for which the tree is chiefly valued, and which the sons of Jacob carried down to the governor of Egypt, a country where almonds seem to have been rare. Gen 43:11. "Hazel," in Gen 30:37, probably denotes this tree. The bowls of the sacred candlestick were made like unto almonds, Ex 25:33, by which name of "almonds" English workmen to this day call the pieces of glass used to ornament branch candlesticks. Aaron's rod that budded yielded this fruit. Num 17:8. In January, before flowers appear on other trees, they adorn the naked twigs of the almond. Hence the allusion of the poet: "The hope, in dreams of a happier hour. That alights on Misery's brow, Springs out of the silvery almond-flower. That blooms on a leafless bough." The Hebrew name for this tree, doubtless suggested by its early blooming, means hasten, which explains Jer 1:11, Jer 1:12; "the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou ? And I said, I see a rod of an almond (hasten) tree. Then said the Lord unto me, Thou hast well seen; for I will hasten my word to perform it." The allusion in Eccl 12:5 is by some thought to refer to the beautiful resemblance of the almond tree when in blossom to a hoary head. But as these Almond. (From Wm. Smith.) flowers, though white in contrast with peach-bloom, are still pinkish, the opinion now prevails that " as the almond ushers in the spring, so do the signs referred to in the context indicate the hastening of old age and death."