sycamore Summary and Overview

more properly sycomore (Heb. shikmoth and shikmim, Gr. sycomoros), a tree which in its general character resembles the fig-tree, while its leaves resemble those of the mulberry; hence it is called the fig-mulberry (Ficus sycomorus). At Jericho, Zacchaeus climbed a sycomore-tree to see Jesus as he passed by (Luke 19:4). This tree was easily destroyed by frost (Ps. 78:47), and therefore it is found mostly in the "vale" (1 Kings 10:27; 2 Chr. 1:15: in both passages the R.V. has properly "lowland"), i.e., the "low country," the shephelah, where the climate is mild. Amos (7:14) refers to its fruit, which is of an inferior character; so also probably Jeremiah (24:2). It is to be distinguished from our sycamore (the Acer pseudo-platanus), which is a species of maple often called a plane-tree.

(Heb. shikmah). Although it may be admitted that the sycamine is properly, and in #Lu 17:6| the mulberry, and the sycamore the mulberry, or sycamore-fig (Ficus sycomorus), yet the latter is the tree generally referred to in the Old Testament and called by the Septuagint sycamine, as #1Ki 10:27; 1Ch 27:28; Ps 78:47; Am 7:14| The Sycamore or fig-mulberry, is in Egypt and Israel a tree of great importance and very extensive use. It attains the size of a walnut tree has wide-spreading branches and affords a delightful shade. On this account it is frequently planted by the waysides. Its leaves are heart-shaped, downy on the under side, and fragrant. The Fruit grows directly from the trunk itself on little sprigs, and in clusters like the grape. To make It eatable, each fruit, three or four days before gathering, must, it is said, be punctured with a sharp instrument or the finger-nail. This was the original employment of the prophet Amos, as he says. #Am 7:14| So great was the value of these trees that David appointed for them in his kingdom a special overseer, as he did for the olives #1Ch 27:28| and it is mentioned as one of the heaviest of Egypt's calamities that her sycamore were destroyed by hailstones.

SYCAMORE (Greek, fig-mulberry). This tree (Ficus sycomorus) is now rarely seen in Palestine except along the coast, though it is abundant in Egypt. It belongs to the genus of the common fig, which it closely resembles in fruit, while its aromatic leaf is shaped like that of the mulberry. From these two resemblances comes its name. The sycamore is a large and noble tree, affording a dense shade, while the branches are remarkably spreading and are easily reached. This was the reason why Zacchaeus climbed it in order to get a glimpse of Jesus as he passed. Luke 19:4. It was once exceedingly abundant in the valley of the Jordan, 1 Kgs 10:27; 2 Chr 1:15; 2 Chr 9:27, but all are now gone save a few aged survivors near Jericho. Its fruit grows singly or in clusters on small sprigs, which grow directly from the branches and trunks, independently of the leaves. Sycamore fruit resembles in shape and peculiar method of flowering that of the Fig, which see. It Sycamore. is, however, smaller, but sweetish and edible, especially if cut or nipped a few days before it is quite ripe, that the acrid properties may be discharged. In Am 7:14 we should read, in this sense, "cutter" (instead of "gatherer") "of sycamore fruit." As the sycamore bears continuously for more than half the year, it is in this respect a valuable tree. The wood, though porous, is exceedingly durable, being the material of the Egyptian mummy-cases, which are three thousand or more years old. It seems to have been valued on this account or for its fruit by David. 1 Chr 27:28. There is allusion to its peculiar sensitiveness to frost in Ps 78:47. In our own country the plane tree, button-ball, or cotton-wood is often called sycamore; while in England, and more rarely here, a species of maple (acer pseudoplatanus), used as a shade-tree, bears this name. These trees have no relationship to the true sycamore, and should be otherwise designated.

Luke 19:4. Often planted by the wayside for shade. Tristram ("Land of Israel") found an old sycamore at the broken aqueduct of Herod's Jericho. The fig mulberry or sycamore fig (Amos 7:14). frontSYCAMINE.) The size of a walnut tree; the leaves heart shaped, downy underneath and fragrant; the fruit growing in clusters on little sprigs from the trunk. Amos was a gatherer employed about sycamore fruit (Hebrew); but Septuagint makes him a "puncturer (knizon) of sycamore fruit." Pliny says they made an incision in the fruit when of a certain size, and on the fourth day it ripened. The KJV is compatible with the Hebrew. If not gathered, it spoils by gnats. It is inferior to the fig. The tree is always green, and bears fruit often throughout the year, so that it is of much value to the poor. The wood, though porous, is durable, and suffers neither from moisture nor heat; Egyptian mummy coffins of it are sound after entombment for thousands of years. The destruction of sycamore trees by hailstones was among Egypt's heavy losses (margin Psalm 78:47). David had an overseer over his sycamore trees (1 Chronicles 26:28; compare also 1 Kings 10:27).