chestnut tree Summary and Overview

(Heb. "'armon"; i.e., "naked"), mentioned in connection with Jacob's artifice regarding the cattle (Gen. 30:37). It is one of the trees of which, because of its strength and beauty, the Assyrian empire is likened (Ezek. 31:8; R.V., "plane trees"). It is probably the Oriental plane tree (Platanus orientalis) that is intended. It is a characteristic of this tree that it annually sheds its outer bark, becomes "naked." The chestnut tree proper is not a native of Israel.

(Heb. 'armon.) #Ge 30:37; Eze 31:8| Probably the "palm tree" (Platanus orientalis) is intended. This tree thrives best in low and rather moist situations in the north of Israel, and resembles our sycamore or buttonwood (Platanus occidentalis).

CHESTNUT TREE . Gen 30:37. Doubtless the translation here should be "plane tree" (Platanus orientalis). This tree closely resembles the well known American species which we call sycamore or buttonwood (Platanus occidentalis). The Oriental tree grows along streams in the north of Palestine, and when long spared attains great size. Eze 31:8.

('armon). Genesis 30:37, from which Jacob pilled rods to set before the flock. Ezekiel 31:7-8, to which the Assyrian empire is compared in beauty and strength. A tree, stately and wide spreading and growing near water, must be meant. The eastern plane tree (not ours, which is a maple, Acer pseudoplatanus) fulfills the conditions; its root, 'aaram "to be naked," "to strip off the bark," corresponds; for it yearly sheds its bark. The groves of the Academy at Athens, where Plato and Aristotle taught, were of eastern plane.