SPECIAL TOPIC: TREES

It is very important for us to recognize the significance of trees in semi-arid areas. They almost seem to have a holy sense because they represent the presence of underground water. They also provide shade which, in arid areas of the world, can mean a significant change in temperature.

BDB 781 is what the special tree(s) of Genesis 2-3 are called (i.e. "the tree of life" and "the tree of the knowledge of good and evil," cf. Gen. 2:9,16,17; 3:1,2,3,6,8,11,12,17,22,24).

In reality the "oaks of Mamre" in Genesis 18, were probably not oaks (BDB 781; LXX, Peshitta), but terebinth (BDB 18, cf. UBS, Helps For Translators, Fauna and Flora of the Bible, pp. 154-155). BDB 18 is equated with BDB 781 in Gen. 18:1,4,8.

Sacred tree(s) are recurrent themes in early Israel.

1. great tree at Moreh ‒ Gen. 12:6; Deut. 11:30
2. great tree at Mamre ‒ Gen. 13:18; 14:13; 18:1 (cf. Josephus, Antiq. 1.10.4)
3. great tree at Shechem ‒ Gen. 35:4; Jdgs. 9:6
4. the oak ‒ Josh. 24:26
5. "the diviners oak" ‒ Jdgs. 9:37 (see SPECIAL TOPIC: DIVINATION)
6. great tree at Zaanannim ‒ Josh. 19:38; Jdgs. 4:11
7. great tree at Ophrah ‒ Jdgs. 6:11,19
8. great tree at Tabor ‒ I Sam. 10:3

For a good brief discussion of sacred trees as a place of worship in the ANE, see Roland deVaux, Ancient Israel, pp. 278-279, (c).

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