Jump to: Smith's • ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia The term "juniper" in the Bible is often associated with the Hebrew word "rotem," which is generally understood to refer to a type of broom tree or shrub rather than the true juniper. This plant is noted for its ability to thrive in arid, desert-like conditions, making it a fitting symbol in biblical narratives that take place in wilderness settings.Biblical References: 1. 1 Kings 19:4-5 : The prophet Elijah, fleeing from Queen Jezebel, finds himself in the wilderness, where he seeks refuge under a "broom tree." The Berean Standard Bible states: "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." Here, the broom tree provides shade and a place of rest for Elijah during a time of despair and exhaustion. 2. Job 30:4 : In this passage, Job describes the desperate conditions of those who are marginalized and impoverished: "They pluck mallow by the bushes, and the roots of the broom tree are their food." The broom tree is depicted as a source of sustenance, albeit a meager one, for those in dire need. 3. Psalm 120:4 : The psalmist uses the imagery of the broom tree in a metaphorical sense: "Sharp arrows from the warrior, with burning coals of the broom tree!" This reference to "burning coals" suggests the use of broom tree wood for fuel, known for producing intense heat. Symbolism and Significance: The juniper or broom tree is emblematic of survival and resilience in harsh environments. Its presence in the biblical narrative often underscores themes of refuge, sustenance, and divine provision. For Elijah, the broom tree becomes a place of divine encounter, where an angel ministers to him, providing food and water to sustain him for his journey (1 Kings 19:6-8). In the broader biblical context, the broom tree's ability to grow in desolate areas serves as a metaphor for God's provision and care for His people, even in the most challenging circumstances. It reminds believers of the importance of seeking refuge in God during times of trial and the assurance that He will provide for their needs. Cultural and Historical Context: The broom tree, likely the Retama raetam, is native to the Middle East and North Africa. It is characterized by its long, slender branches and small leaves, which reduce water loss, making it well-suited to desert climates. Historically, its wood was used for fuel, and its roots and seeds were sometimes consumed in times of scarcity. In biblical times, the broom tree's presence in the wilderness would have been a familiar sight to the Israelites, symbolizing both the harshness of the desert and the potential for life and sustenance within it. This duality reflects the spiritual journey of faith, where believers may encounter both trials and divine provision. Smith's Bible Dictionary Juniper(1 Kings 19:4,5; Job 30:4; Psalms 120:4) a sort of broom, Genista monosperma, G. raetam of Forskal, answering to the Arabic rethem . It is very abundant in the desert of Sinai, and affords shade and protection, in both heat and storm, to travellers. The rethem is a leguminous plant, and bears a white flower. It is found also in Spain. It is an erect shrub, with no main trunk, but many wand-like, slender branches, and is sometimes twelve feet high. Its use is very great in stopping the sand. --ED.) ATS Bible Dictionary JuniperIs found in the English Bible, 1 Kings 19:4,5; Job 30:4; Psalm 120:4. The Hebrew word, however, signifies the plant Genista, or Spanish broom, which is common in the desert regions of Arabia, and has yellowish blossoms and a bitter root. Easton's Bible Dictionary (Hebrews rothem), called by the Arabs retem, and known as Spanish broom; ranked under the genus genista. It is a desert shrub, and abounds in many parts of Palestine. In the account of his journey from Akabah to Jerusalem, Dr. Robinson says: "This is the largest and most conspicuous shrub of these deserts, growing thickly in the water-courses and valleys. Our Arabs always selected the place of encampment, if possible, in a spot where it grew, in order to be sheltered by it at night from the wind; and during the day, when they often went on in advance of the camels, we found them not unfrequently sitting or sleeping under a bush of retem to shelter them from the sun. It was in this very desert, a day's journey from Beersheba, that the prophet Elijah lay down and slept beneath the same shrub" (1 Kings 19:4, 5). It afforded material for fuel, and also in cases of extremity for human food (Psalm 120:4; Job 30:4). One of the encampments in the wilderness of Paran is called Rithmah, i.e., "place of broom" (Numbers 33:18)."The Bedawin of Sinai still burn this very plant into a charcoal which throws out the most intense heat." Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (n.) Any evergreen shrub or tree, of the genus Juniperus and order Coniferae.International Standard Bible Encyclopedia JUNIPERjoo'-ni-per (rothem; rhathmen, 1 Kings 19:4, margin "broom"; Psalm 120:4, m "broom"; Job 30:4 translated "broom"): This is quite certainly the Arabic ratam (Retama retem, Natural Order, Leguminosae), a variety of broom which is one of the most characteristic shrubs of the deserts of Southern Palestine and southward to Egypt. Though the shade it affords is but scanty, in the absence of other shrubs it is frequently used by desert travelers as a refuge from the sun's scorching rays (compare 1 Kings 19:4). The root yields good charcoal, giving out much heat (Psalm 120:4). For people to be reduced to chew it for nourishment betokens the lowest depth of starvation (Job 30:4). Indeed so hopeless is this root as a source of food that many commentators believe that the accepted text is in error, and by altering a single letter, substituting the Hebrew letter, cheth, ("ch") for he ("h"), they get a reading, which has been adopted in the Revised Version margin, "to warm them" instead of "their meat," which certainly is much more probable. Strong's Hebrew 6176. aroer -- (probably a tree or bush) perhaps juniper... 6175, 6176. aroer. 6177 . (probably a tree or bush) perhaps juniper. Transliteration: aroer Phonetic Spelling: (ar-o-ayr') Short Definition: bush. ... /hebrew/6176.htm - 6k 7574. rethem -- broom plant, retem 1265. berosh -- cypress or fir Library How Brother Juniper Cut Off the Foot of a Pig to Give it to a Sick ... How Brother Juniper once Cooked for the Brethren Enough to Last ... How Brother Juniper, in Order to be Despised, Played at See-Saw Of the Sorrow which Brother Juniper Felt at the Loss of his ... How Brother Juniper Took Certain Little Bells from the Altar, and ... Of the Hand which Brother Juniper Saw in the Air An Instance of Brother Juniper's Great Power against the Devil How Brother Juniper Gave all that He had to the Poor for the Love ... How Brother Juniper Fell into an Ecstasy During the Celebration of ... How Brother Juniper Kept Silence for Six Months Thesaurus Juniper (7 Occurrences)... Coniferae. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. JUNIPER. joo ... probable. EWG Masterman. Multi-Version Concordance Juniper (7 Occurrences). 1 ... /j/juniper.htm - 11k Juniper-tree (2 Occurrences) Broom (5 Occurrences) Broom-tree (2 Occurrences) Coal (7 Occurrences) Jupiter (3 Occurrences) Ju'nias (1 Occurrence) Gin (10 Occurrences) Fir-tree (5 Occurrences) Firtree Resources What is gopher wood? | GotQuestions.orgJuniper: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Juniper (7 Occurrences)1 Kings 19:4 1 Kings 19:5 Job 30:4 Psalms 120:4 Isaiah 41:19 Isaiah 60:13 Jeremiah 48:6 Subtopics Related Terms |
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