In biblical times, the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) was a significant and valued tree in the ancient Near East, including the regions of Israel and surrounding territories. The date palm is often associated with prosperity, fertility, and beauty, and it holds both practical and symbolic importance in the Bible.

Biblical References and Symbolism

The date palm is mentioned in several passages throughout the Bible, often symbolizing righteousness, abundance, and victory. In Psalm 92:12, the righteous are compared to the palm tree: "The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon." This imagery suggests strength, resilience, and the ability to thrive in challenging conditions, much like the palm tree that grows in arid environments.

In the Song of Solomon, the beauty and stature of the beloved are likened to a palm tree: "Your stature is like a palm tree, and your breasts are like clusters of fruit" (Song of Solomon 7:7). Here, the palm tree symbolizes grace and elegance, reflecting the admiration and affection of the speaker.

The palm branches also hold a significant place in the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), as described in Leviticus 23:40: "On the first day you are to take the branches of majestic trees—palm branches, boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook—and rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days." The use of palm branches in this festival underscores their role in worship and celebration.

Historical and Cultural Context

The date palm was a staple in the diet of the ancient Israelites and other peoples of the region. Dates provided a reliable source of nutrition, being rich in sugars, vitamins, and minerals. The tree itself was highly versatile; its leaves were used for making baskets, mats, and roofing materials, while its trunk served as timber.

Jericho, known as the "City of Palms," was famous for its abundant date palms, as noted in Deuteronomy 34:3: "the Negev and the region from the Valley of Jericho, the City of Palms, as far as Zoar." This highlights the economic and agricultural significance of date palms in certain areas of the Promised Land.

New Testament Significance

In the New Testament, palm branches are prominently featured during Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, an event commemorated on Palm Sunday. John 12:13 records, "They took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting: 'Hosanna!' 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!' 'Blessed is the King of Israel!'" The use of palm branches in this context symbolizes victory and the recognition of Jesus as the Messiah and King.

Conclusion

The date palm, with its rich symbolism and practical uses, is a significant element in biblical literature and culture. Its presence in Scripture serves as a reminder of God's provision, the beauty of creation, and the hope of victory through faith.Date

The fruit of the palm-tree. See PALM.

The fruit of a species of palm (q.v.), the Phoenix dactilifera. This was a common tree in Palestine (Joel 1:12; Nehemiah 8:15). Palm branches were carried by the Jews on festive occasions, and especially at the feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:40; Nehemiah 8:15). 1. (n.) The fruit of the date palm; also, the date palm itself.

2. (n.) That addition to a writing, inscription, coin, etc., which specifies the time (as day, month, and year) when the writing or inscription was given, or executed, or made; as, the date of a letter, of a will, of a deed, of a coin. etc.

3. (n.) The point of time at which a transaction or event takes place, or is appointed to take place; a given point of time; epoch; as, the date of a battle.

4. (n.) Assigned end; conclusion.

5. (n.) Given or assigned length of life.

6. (v. t.) To note the time of writing or executing; to express in an instrument the time of its execution; as, to date a letter, a bond, a deed, or a charter.

7. (v. t.) To note or fix the time of, as of an event; to give the date of; as, to date the building of the pyramids.

8. (v. i.) To have beginning; to begin; to be dated or reckoned; -- with from.

5404. phoinix -- the date palm, a palm
... the date palm, a palm. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: phoinix
Phonetic Spelling: (foy'-nix) Short Definition: a palm tree, palm branch ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5404.htm - 6k

5344. Phelix -- "fortunate," Felix, a governor of Judea
... lix) Short Definition: Felix Definition: Felix, third name of (Marcus) Antonius
Felix, procurator of the Roman province Judea from an uncertain date (before AD ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5344.htm - 7k

4287. prothesmia -- appointed beforehand
... Word Origin from prothesmios; from pro and thesmios (fixed, settled) Definition
appointed beforehand NASB Word Usage date set (1). appointed time. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4287.htm - 7k

963. Bethania -- "house of affliction" or "house of dates ...
... NASB Word Usage Bethany (12). Bethany. Of Chaldee origin; date-house; Beth-any,
a place in Palestine -- Bethany. (bethania) -- 4 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/963.htm - 6k

3568. nun -- now, the present
... A primary particle of present time; "now" (as adverb of date, a transition or emphasis);
also as noun or adjective present or immediate -- henceforth ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3568.htm - 7k

2333. Theudas -- Theudas, an Israelite
... Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Theudas Phonetic Spelling: (thyoo-das') Short
Definition: Theudas Definition: Theudas, a Jewish pretender of date about 4 BC ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2333.htm - 6k

8558. tamar -- palm tree, date palm
... 8557, 8558. tamar. 8559 . palm tree, date palm. Transliteration: tamar
Phonetic Spelling: (taw-mawr') Short Definition: trees. Word ...
/hebrew/8558.htm - 6k

5577. sansin -- fruit stalk (of the date)
... 5576, 5577. sansin. 5578 . fruit stalk (of the date). Transliteration: sansin
Phonetic Spelling: (san-seen') Short Definition: stalks. ...
/hebrew/5577.htm - 5k

Date and Place.
... Part II. THE SONG OF THE THREE HOLY CHILDREN DATE AND PLACE. DATE. ... Its date
therefore in this case would be the date of that text. ...
/.../daubney/the three additions to daniel a study/date and place.htm

The Place and Date.
... Introduction. The Place and Date. We have found that the ... Conybeare and Howson.
Of the date we can have no certain knowledge. There are ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/the place and date.htm

Date and Place of Writing.
... Part III. THE HISTORY OF SUSANNA DATE AND PLACE OF WRITING. DATE. Susanna
is deemed by JM Fuller (Speaker's Comm., Introd. to Dan ...
/.../daubney/the three additions to daniel a study/date and place of writing.htm

Date and Place of Writing.
... Part IV. THE HISTORY OF BEL AND THE DRAGON DATE AND PLACE OF WRITING.
DATE. The idea, which may be a true one, that this is the ...
/.../daubney/the three additions to daniel a study/date and place of writing 2.htm

The Date of the Beginning of Noonday.
... Chapter I. The Date Of The Beginning Of Noonday. ... The historian does not
fix this date (311) as the beginning of the dark noonday. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter i the date of.htm

Appendix vii. On the Date of the Nativity of Our Lord
... APPENDIX VII. ON THE DATE OF THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD. (Vol. i. Book II. ch. iii. ...
1. The first and most certain date is that of the death of Herod the Great. ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix vii on the date.htm

Introduction on the Date of the Council.
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. Introduction on the Date of the Council. (Hefele,
Hist. Councils, Vol. II., pp.86 et seqq.) Our inquiries ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/introduction on the date of.htm

Date of Its Composition
... Chapter III Eusebius' Church History. Section 1. Date of its Composition. ... The
date of the work can be determined with considerable exactness. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pamphilius/church history/section 1 date of its.htm

The Date of the Martyrdom.
... Chapter XXI."The date of the martyrdom. Now, the blessed Polycarp suffered
martyrdom on the second day of the month Xanthicus ...
/.../smyrna/the martyrdom of the holy polycarp/chapter xxi the date of the.htm

Name Date No.
... VII. CAROLS NAME DATE No. A Abelard. NAME DATE No. A Abelard, Rev. Peter
1079-1142 544 Adams, Mrs. Sarah (Flower) 1805-1848 222 ...
/.../name date no a abelard.htm

Date (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) The fruit of the date palm; also, the date
palm itself. 2. (n.) That addition to a writing, inscription ...
/d/date.htm - 9k

Era
... 2. (n.) A period of time reckoned from some particular date or epoch; a succession
of years dating from some important event; as, the era of Alexander; the era ...
/e/era.htm - 10k

Aretas (1 Occurrence)
... As Tiberius died in 37 AD, and as the Arabian affair was completely settled in 39
AD, it is evident that the date of Paul's conversion must lie somewhere ...
/a/aretas.htm - 11k

Nahum (3 Occurrences)
... na'-hum: I. AUTHORSHIP AND DATE 1. The Name 2. Life and Home of Nahum The Four
Traditions 3. Date, as Related to Assyrian History (1) The Revolt of Shamash ...
/n/nahum.htm - 21k

Songs (100 Occurrences)
... TEXT III. AUTHORSHIP AND DATE IV. HISTORY ... 1899. III. Authorship and Date.
The title in the Hebrew text ascribes the poem to Solomon. ...
/s/songs.htm - 62k

Three (5005 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SONG OF THE THREE CHILDREN. " 1. Name 2. Canonicity
3. Contents 4. Author and Date 5. Original ... 4. Author and Date: (1) Author. ...
/t/three.htm - 18k

Adonijah (28 Occurrences)
... of Absalom broke out "at an end of forty years" (2 Samuel 15:7). The natural meaning
is not forty years after the last-mentioned preceding date, but at the ...
/a/adonijah.htm - 22k

Susanna (1 Occurrence)
... 5. Date 6. Original Language 1. Name: This novelette has, in the Septuagint, the
bare title "Susanna" (Sousanna, from Hebrew shoshannah, "lily"). ...
/s/susanna.htm - 17k

Habakkuk (3 Occurrences)
... III. THE TIME 1. Date 2. Occasion IV. ... III. The Time. 1. Date: The question of
date is closely bound up with that of interpretation. Budde ...
/h/habakkuk.htm - 26k

Pastoral
...DATE AND ORDER 1. Date of the Epistles 2. Their Order LITERATURE The First and Second
Epistles to Timothy, and the Epistle to Titus form a distinct group among ...
/p/pastoral.htm - 39k

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