In biblical literature, the term "shrub" is often used to describe small, woody plants that are distinct from larger trees. These plants are typically characterized by their multiple stems and shorter height. The Bible references shrubs in various contexts, often symbolizing desolation or humble beginnings.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 21:15 · In the account of Hagar and Ishmael, the term "shrub" is used to describe the sparse vegetation in the wilderness of Beersheba. "When the water in the skin was gone, she put the boy under one of the bushes." Here, the shrub represents a place of despair and abandonment, highlighting the dire circumstances faced by Hagar and her son.

2. Job 30:4 · The book of 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." In this context, shrubs are associated with survival and the meager sustenance available to those in dire need.

3. Ezekiel 31:4-5 · While not directly mentioning shrubs, this passage contrasts the grandeur of the cedars of Lebanon with lesser plants, emphasizing the greatness of God's creation. "The waters nourished it, the deep made it grow tall, directing its rivers all around the place of its planting and sending forth its streams to all the trees of the field." The imagery suggests that shrubs, though smaller, are part of the diverse tapestry of God's creation.

Symbolism and Themes:

· Desolation and Humility: Shrubs often symbolize desolation, as seen in the wilderness narratives. They are associated with barren landscapes and the trials faced by biblical figures. This imagery serves to remind believers of the humility and dependence on God required in times of hardship.

· Provision and Sustenance: Despite their humble appearance, shrubs can also represent God's provision. In the wilderness, even the smallest plants can offer shelter and sustenance, illustrating God's care for His people in all circumstances.

· Contrast with Grandeur: In biblical poetry and prophecy, shrubs are sometimes used to contrast the majesty of larger trees, such as cedars and oaks. This contrast highlights the diversity of creation and the different roles each part plays in God's plan.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In the ancient Near East, shrubs were a common feature of the landscape, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. They provided essential resources such as food, fuel, and shelter for both humans and animals. Understanding the role of shrubs in the biblical world helps to illuminate the practical and symbolic uses of these plants in Scripture.

Theological Insights:

From a theological perspective, shrubs can be seen as a metaphor for the believer's journey. Just as shrubs survive and thrive in harsh conditions, Christians are called to remain steadfast in faith, trusting in God's provision and care. The humble shrub serves as a reminder of the strength found in reliance on God, even in the most challenging circumstances.1. (n.) A liquor composed of vegetable acid, especially lemon juice, and sugar, with spirit to preserve it.

2. (n.) A woody plant of less size than a tree, and usually with several stems from the same root.

3. (v. t.) To lop; to prune.

SHRUB

shrub (siach (Genesis 21:15)).

See BUSH, (2).

5451. phuteia -- a planting
... plant. From phuteuo; trans-planting, ie (concretely) a shrub or vegetable -- plant.
see GREEK phuteuo. (phuteia) -- 1 Occurrence. 5450, 5451. phuteia. 5452 > ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5451.htm - 6k

4615. sinapi -- mustard (a plant)
... Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: sinapi Phonetic Spelling:
(sin'-ap-ee) Short Definition: mustard Definition: mustard (probably the shrub, ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4615.htm - 6k

942. batos -- a bramble bush
... bramble, bush. Of uncertain derivation; a brier shrub -- bramble, bush. (batou) --
4 Occurrences. (bato) -- 1 Occurrence. 941, 942. batos. 943 . ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/942.htm - 6k

7880. siach -- a bush, shrub, plant
... 7879, 7880. siach. 7881 . a bush, shrub, plant. Transliteration: siach Phonetic
Spelling: (see'-akh) Short Definition: bushes. ... bush, plant, shrub. ...
/hebrew/7880.htm - 6k

3724c. kopher -- (a shrub or low tree) henna
... 3724b, 3724c. kopher. 3724d . (a shrub or low tree) henna. Transliteration:
kopher Short Definition: henna. Word Origin from the ...
/hebrew/3724c.htm - 5k

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

The Heath in the Desert and the Tree by the River
... It is a 'waste land where no one came, or hath come since the making of the world.'
Here and there a stunted, grey, prickly shrub struggles to live, and just ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the heath in the desert.htm

"God with Us"
... Every tree and shrub and leaf pours forth that element of life without which neither
man nor animal could live; and man and animal, in turn, minister to the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 1 god with us.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, John i. 1, "In the Beginning was the ...
... there. Let us suppose then something born on the water's side, as a shrub,
or an herb, is it not born together with its image? As ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lxvii on the words.htm

Fasting, and the Goat Sent Away, were Types of Christ.
... And when all this has been done, he who bears the goat brings it into the desert,
and takes the wool off from it, and places that upon a shrub which is called ...
/.../barnabas/the epistle of barnabas /chapter vii fasting and the goat.htm

April 15. "Rooted and Grounded in Love" (Eph. Iii. 17).
... "Rooted and grounded in love" (Ephesians 3:17). There is a very singular shrub,
which grows abundantly in the west, and is to be found in all parts of Texas. ...
/.../simpson/days of heaven upon earth /april 15 rooted and grounded.htm

Chapter ii
... 4 b, 5. At the time when Yahweh God made earth and heaven, then no shrub of the
field was as yet in the earth and no plant of the field was as yet sprouting ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter ii.htm

part i.
... There is order in the structure of every spire of grass, of every flower and shrub,
of every tree and trembling leaf; in the mechanism of every animal, from ...
//christianbookshelf.org/clark/the faithful steward/part i.htm

Truth Rather to be Appealed to than Custom, and Truth Progressive ...
... First comes the grain, and from the grain arises the shoot, and from the shoot
struggles out the shrub: thereafter boughs and leaves gather strength, and the ...
/.../tertullian/on the veiling of virgins/chapter i truth rather to be.htm

A Knowledge of God
... enjoys the beauty of the earth with the highest appreciation, because he recognizes
his Father's handiwork and perceives His love in flower and shrub and tree. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 10 a knowledge of.htm

1 to Pray Does not Imply that Without Prayer God Would not Give us ...
... 3. If we do not take care of a tree or a shrub which bears good fruit or
flowers, it will degenerate and go back to its wild state. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/singh/at the masters feet/section ii 1 to pray.htm

Shrub (4 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SHRUB. shrub (siach (Genesis 21:15)). See
BUSH, (2). Multi-Version Concordance Shrub (4 Occurrences). ...
/s/shrub.htm - 8k

Bush (14 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A shrub; esp., a shrub with branches rising from or near the root;
a thick shrub or a cluster of shrubs. 3. (n.) A shrub...
/b/bush.htm - 19k

Juniper (7 Occurrences)
... It is a desert shrub, and abounds in many parts of Palestine. ... (n.) Any evergreen
shrub or tree, of the genus Juniperus and order Coniferae. Int. ...
/j/juniper.htm - 11k

Broom (5 Occurrences)
... A plant having twigs suitable for making brooms to sweep with when bound together;
esp., the Cytisus scoparius of Western Europe, which is a low shrub with long ...
/b/broom.htm - 9k

Thorn (30 Occurrences)
... (4.) Hebrews atad (Psalm 58:9) is rendered in the LXX. and Vulgate by Rhamnus, or
Lycium Europoeum, a thorny shrub, which is common all over Palestine. ...
/t/thorn.htm - 35k

Myrrh (22 Occurrences)
... It is probably correctly rendered by the Latin word ladanum, the Arabic ladan, an
aromatic juice of a shrub called the Cistus or rock rose, which has the same ...
/m/myrrh.htm - 18k

Mustard (5 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary A plant of the genus sinapis, a pod-bearing,
shrub-like plant, growing wild, and also cultivated in gardens. ...
/m/mustard.htm - 11k

Poplar (4 Occurrences)
... In the latter reference the conjunction of the shrub, storax, with two great trees
like the oak and terebinth-even though they all grow in the mountains-is ...
/p/poplar.htm - 10k

Brier (10 Occurrences)
... This word occurs frequently, and is the translation of several different terms.
(1.) Micah 7:4, it denotes a species of thorn shrub used for hedges. ...
/b/brier.htm - 11k

Bramble (7 Occurrences)
... LXX. and Vulgate render by rhamnus, a thorny shrub common in Palestine, resembling
the hawthorn. ... blackberry. Hence: Any rough, prickly shrub. ...
/b/bramble.htm - 9k

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