The juniper-tree, referred to in the Bible, is a significant plant mentioned in several passages, often symbolizing desolation, refuge, and divine provision. The Hebrew word often translated as "juniper" is "rotem," which is more accurately identified as the broom tree (Genista or Retama raetam), a shrub found in the deserts of the Middle East.

Biblical References:

1. 1 Kings 19:4-5 : The juniper-tree is notably mentioned in the account of the prophet Elijah. After fleeing from Queen Jezebel, Elijah travels into the wilderness and sits under a broom tree, where he prays for death, overwhelmed by his circumstances. "While he himself traveled on a day’s journey into the wilderness, he sat down under a broom tree and prayed that he might die. 'I have had enough, LORD,' he said. 'Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.' Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep." This passage highlights the juniper-tree as a place of rest and divine encounter, as an angel later provides Elijah with food and water, sustaining him for his journey.

2. Job 30:4 : In the book of Job, the juniper-tree is associated with desolation and poverty. "They plucked mallow among the shrubs, and the roots of the broom tree were their food." Here, the roots of the broom tree are depicted as sustenance for the destitute, emphasizing the harsh conditions faced by those in dire need.

3. Psalm 120:4 : The juniper-tree is also mentioned metaphorically in the Psalms. "Sharp arrows from the warrior, with burning coals of the broom tree!" This imagery suggests the intense heat and enduring nature of the broom tree's coals, symbolizing the severity of deceitful words and the pain they inflict.

Cultural and Symbolic Significance:

In biblical times, the juniper-tree, or broom tree, was a common sight in the arid regions of the Near East. Its significance in Scripture often relates to its ability to survive in harsh environments, providing shade and minimal sustenance. The tree's presence in the wilderness narratives underscores themes of survival, divine intervention, and the provision of God in times of need.

The broom tree's roots, which were used as food by the impoverished, symbolize the sustenance God provides even in the most barren circumstances. Its coals, known for their long-lasting heat, serve as a metaphor for enduring trials and the purifying nature of God's judgment.

Botanical Characteristics:

The broom tree is a hardy shrub, capable of thriving in desert conditions. It typically grows to a height of 6 to 10 feet and is characterized by its slender, green branches and small, pale flowers. The plant's ability to grow in desolate areas makes it a fitting symbol for resilience and hope amidst adversity.

In summary, the juniper-tree in the Bible is a multifaceted symbol, representing both the harshness of the wilderness and the sustaining power of God. Its appearances in Scripture serve as reminders of God's provision and the endurance required in the face of life's challenges.7574. rethem -- broom plant, retem
... Word Origin from ratham Definition broom plant, retem NASB Word Usage broom
shrub (1), broom tree (1), juniper tree (2). juniper tree. ...
/hebrew/7574.htm - 6k

Elijah's Weakness, and Its Cube
... belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.4. But he himself went a day's journey
into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/elijahs weakness and its cube.htm

The Third Season
... and girding with sackcloth," and severely threatens the insensible; yet it will
not please him to see you sit like pensive Elijah under the juniper tree. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/iii the third season.htm

What Doest Thou Here?
... And the interest of such a vision never fails, because, like Elijah, all men come
to times when they too lie under the juniper tree in the wilderness longing ...
//christianbookshelf.org/percival/sermons at rugby/vi what doest thou here.htm

Elijah --Passionate in Prayer
... And, once "for, after all, Elijah is flesh and blood, and not stone and iron"once
in a passion of despondency and melancholy under the juniper tree. ...
/.../whyte/lord teach us to pray/vi elijahpassionate in prayer.htm

The Guardian Angel.
... When Elijah was hunted for his life and sat down to weep and to starve under the
juniper-tree, it was this guardian angel that brought him a cake and a cruse ...
/.../orr/food for the lambs or helps for young christians/the guardian angel.htm

Stumbling-Stones, or Stepping-Stones?
... He was victorious now, but let us look at him a few days later. Under a
juniper-tree in the wilderness sits a man, weary and dejected. ...
/.../naylor/heart talks/talk thirty-seven stumbling-stones or stepping-stones.htm

Seven Sanctified Thoughts and Mournful Sighs of a Sick Man Ready ...
... Let me, therefore, O Lord, entreat thy majesty, in this my bed of sickness, as Elias
did under the juniper tree in his affliction,"It is now enough, O Lord ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/seven sanctified thoughts and mournful.htm

The Christian's Warfare.
... court, and all the prophets of Baal; yet when he heard that Jezebel had threatened
his life, he ran away to the desert, and under a juniper tree prayed that he ...
/.../moody/the overcoming life/part i the christians warfare.htm

Rest.
... Land? Do you think Elijah could have uttered such a text as this, when,
under the juniper-tree, he prayed that he might die? And ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/the overcoming life/rest.htm

The Spirit and Power of Elias.
... Did he not cast himself, within twenty-four hours, beneath the juniper tree of the
desert, and pray that he might die, because he was no better than his fathers ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/xvii the spirit and power.htm

Juniper-tree (2 Occurrences)
Juniper-tree. Juniper, Juniper-tree. Jupiter . Multi-Version
Concordance Juniper-tree (2 Occurrences). 1 Kings 19:4 ...
/j/juniper-tree.htm - 7k

Juniper (7 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 19:4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and
sat down under a junipertree: and he requested for himself that he might die ...
/j/juniper.htm - 11k

Broom-tree (2 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 19:4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and
sat down under a juniper-tree: and he requested for himself that he might die ...
/b/broom-tree.htm - 7k

Jupiter (3 Occurrences)

/j/jupiter.htm - 10k

Requested (29 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 19:4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and
sat down under a junipertree: and he requested for himself that he might die ...
/r/requested.htm - 15k

Elijah (104 Occurrences)
... He therefore fled in alarm to Beersheba, and thence went alone a day's journey into
the wilderness, and sat down in despondency under a junipertree. ...
/e/elijah.htm - 71k

Ezel (3 Occurrences)
... 20:41 instead of "out of a place toward the South" it reads "from beside the mound"
or "cairn." Dr. Cheyne suggests "yonder junipertree" (Encyclopaedia Biblica ...
/e/ezel.htm - 8k

Ancestors (7 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 19:4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and
sat down under a junipertree: and he requested for himself that he might die ...
/a/ancestors.htm - 9k

Day's (19 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 19:4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and
sat down under a junipertree: and he requested for himself that he might die ...
/d/day's.htm - 17k

Slept (74 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 19:5 He lay down and slept under a junipertree; and behold, an angel touched
him, and said to him, "Arise and eat!" (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV). ...
/s/slept.htm - 28k

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