Lexical Summary timorah: Palm tree, column, pillar Original Word: תִּמֹּר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance palm tree (plural o or (feminine) timmorah (singular and plural) {tim-mo-raw'}; from the same root as tamar; (arch.) A palm-like pilaster (i.e. Umbellate) -- palm tree. see HEBREW tamar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as tomer Definition palm (tree) figure NASB Translation palm tree (3), palm tree ornaments (6), palm trees (10). Brown-Driver-Briggs תִּמֹרָה19 noun feminine palm(-tree), figure, as ornament; — ׳ת Ezekiel 41:18 + (van d. H. ׳תִּמּ, so throughout); plural תִּמֹרֹת 1 Kings 6:29 + (Gi ׳תִּמּ), תִּמֹרִים Ezekiel 40:16 +; suffix תִּימֹרָיו Ezekiel 40:22 Qr (Kt תימרו); — palm-figure in Solomon's temple 1 Kings 6:29,32 (twice in verse); 1 Kings 6:35; 1 Kings 7:36; 2Chronicles 3:5; in Ezekiel's temple Ezekiel 40:16,22,26 10t. 40, 41. Topical Lexicon Botanical and Cultural SettingThe Hebrew term תִּמֹּר denotes the stately date palm, an emblematic tree of the Ancient Near East. In Canaan its upright trunk, feather-like fronds, nourishing fruit, and refreshing shade made it an obvious symbol of vitality and victory. Both Israelites and surrounding peoples associated palms with oasis life, royal processions, and festive worship, so the tree’s image naturally found its way into the iconography of sacred architecture. Symbolic Themes in Scripture 1. Uprightness and Fruitfulness Though תִּמֹּר appears only in architectural contexts, the palm motif it names resonates with the broader biblical image of the righteous: “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree” (Psalm 92:12). The palm’s straight growth and continual yield of sweet dates visualize moral integrity joined to consistent spiritual fruit. 2. Victory and Joy Palms later line the road of the Triumphal Entry (John 12:13) and wave in the hands of the redeemed multitude (Revelation 7:9). These New Testament echoes confirm the tree’s connotation of celebration and conquering life, fitting complements to its Old Testament temple placement. Architectural Role in Solomon’s Temple Of the nineteen occurrences of תִּמֹּר, eight belong to the narrative of Solomon’s Temple (1 Kings 6:29, 6:32 [twice], 6:35; 7:36; 2 Chronicles 3:5). Crafted in relief and overlaid with gold, the palm images: • Adorned both inner sanctuary and outer hall, uniting the entire structure in a single Edenic theme. By divine instruction these carvings transformed the Temple into a symbolic garden: the presence of God re-established among His people, guarded yet inviting, fruitful and flourishing. Ezekiel’s Vision and the Future Sanctuary The remaining eleven uses occur in Ezekiel 40–41, where the exiled prophet is shown a restored house of God. There, palms flank windows (40:16), gates (40:22, 26, 31, 34, 37), walls (41:18–20), doors (41:25), and colonnades (41:26). Several observations emerge: • Continuity: The same imagery that once enriched Solomon’s Temple will reappear, underscoring that God’s purposes have never altered despite national judgment. Historical Significance Archaeological parallels from Phoenicia and Mesopotamia show palm-motifs on capitals, thresholds, and thrones. Yet Scripture alone roots the design in covenant theology rather than mere artistry. While neighboring nations used palms for fertility cults, Israel’s craftsmen sanctified the image to proclaim Yahweh as the sole Fountain of life. Ministry Insights and Application • Worship Spaces: The Lord values beauty that communicates truth; visual reminders of His bounty and victory belong alongside sound doctrine. Intertextual Connections Though the Hebrew terms differ, the Feast of Tabernacles required “branches of palm trees” (Leviticus 23:40), prefiguring the eschatological gathering of nations under God’s canopy. Likewise, the “palm branch” multitude in Revelation 7 completes the biblical arc: the redeemed, once barred from Eden, now stand amidst palm imagery before the throne, proclaiming, “Salvation belongs to our God” (Revelation 7:10). Summary תִּמֹּר portrays more than ornamental greenery; it weaves together Eden and eschaton, righteousness and rejoicing, architecture and adoration. From Solomon’s gilded reliefs to Ezekiel’s prophetic blueprint—and ultimately to the palms waved before the Lamb—the emblem quietly yet powerfully affirms God’s unwavering intent to make His dwelling place a flourishing garden for a victorious people. Forms and Transliterations הַתִּֽמֹר֖וֹת הַתִּֽמֹרָ֖ה הַתִּֽמֹרָה֙ התמרה התמרות וְהַתִּֽמֹרִ֖ים וְתִ֣מֹר֔וֹת וְתִ֣מֹרָ֔יו וְתִֽמֹרִ֑ים וְתִֽמֹרִ֔ים וְתִֽמֹרִים֙ וְתִֽמֹרָה֙ וְתִֽמֹרֹ֔ת וְתִמֹר֛וֹת וְתִמֹרִ֖ים וְתִמֹרִ֣ים וְתִמֹרִ֥ים וְתִמֹרֹ֑ת והתמרים ותמרה ותמרות ותמריו ותמרים ותמרת תִּמֹרִ֖ים תִּמֹרִֽים׃ תמרים תמרים׃ hat·ti·mō·rāh hat·ti·mō·rō·wṯ hattimoRah hattimōrāh hattimoRot hattimōrōwṯ ti·mō·rîm timoRim timōrîm vehattimoRim vetimoRah veTimoRav vetimoRim vetimoRot wə·hat·ti·mō·rîm wə·ṯi·mō·rāh wə·ṯi·mō·rāw wə·ṯi·mō·rîm wə·ṯi·mō·rō·wṯ wə·ṯi·mō·rōṯ wəhattimōrîm wəṯimōrāh wəṯimōrāw wəṯimōrîm wəṯimōrōṯ wəṯimōrōwṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Kings 6:29 HEB: מִקְלְעוֹת֙ כְּרוּבִ֣ים וְתִֽמֹרֹ֔ת וּפְטוּרֵ֖י צִצִּ֑ים NAS: of cherubim, palm trees, and open KJV: of cherubims and palm trees and open INT: figures of cherubim palm open flowers 1 Kings 6:32 1 Kings 6:32 1 Kings 6:35 1 Kings 7:36 2 Chronicles 3:5 Ezekiel 40:16 Ezekiel 40:22 Ezekiel 40:26 Ezekiel 40:31 Ezekiel 40:34 Ezekiel 40:37 Ezekiel 41:18 Ezekiel 41:18 Ezekiel 41:19 Ezekiel 41:19 Ezekiel 41:20 Ezekiel 41:25 Ezekiel 41:26 19 Occurrences |
    |