The sycamine tree, mentioned in the New Testament, is often associated with the mulberry tree and is known for its deep roots and hard wood. In biblical times, it was a common tree in the Middle East, particularly in the region of Palestine. The sycamine is distinct from the sycamore tree, although the two are sometimes confused due to their similar names.

Biblical References:

The sycamine tree is specifically mentioned in the Gospel of Luke. In Luke 17:6 , Jesus uses the sycamine tree in a parable to illustrate the power of faith: "And the Lord said, 'If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this sycamine tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.'" This passage highlights the sycamine tree's deep roots, which make it difficult to uproot, thus emphasizing the extraordinary power of even a small amount of genuine faith.

Symbolism and Interpretation:

In the context of Jesus' teaching, the sycamine tree symbolizes deeply rooted issues or challenges in a believer's life. The tree's extensive root system makes it a fitting metaphor for problems or sins that are deeply entrenched and difficult to remove. Jesus' use of the sycamine tree in His teaching underscores the transformative power of faith, suggesting that even the most stubborn obstacles can be overcome through trust in God.

The sycamine tree's hard wood was also used for making coffins, which may further symbolize the death and decay associated with sin. This connection reinforces the idea that faith can bring life and renewal, overcoming the deathly grip of sin.

Cultural and Historical Context:

The sycamine tree was well-known to Jesus' audience, who would have understood its characteristics and the implications of His teaching. The tree's prevalence in the region and its practical uses in daily life made it an effective illustration for conveying spiritual truths.

In the broader cultural context, the sycamine tree's fruit, though similar to the fig, was considered less desirable, often eaten by the poor. This aspect of the tree may also serve as a metaphor for the less desirable aspects of life that faith can transform.

Conclusion:

The sycamine tree, as referenced in the Bible, serves as a powerful symbol of the challenges and deeply rooted issues that believers face. Through faith, even these can be overcome, demonstrating the profound spiritual truths that Jesus imparted to His followers.Sycamine tree

Mentioned only in Luke 17:6. It is rendered by Luther "mulberry tree" (q.v.), which is most probably the correct rendering. It is found of two species, the black mulberry (Morus nigra) and the white mulberry (Mourea), which are common in Palestine. The silk-worm feeds on their leaves. The rearing of them is one of the chief industries of the peasantry of Lebanon and of other parts of the land. It is of the order of the fig-tree. Some contend, however, that this name denotes the sycamore-fig of Luke 19:4.

(n.) See Sycamore.SYCAMINE, TREE

sik'-a-min, (sukaminos (Luke 17:6)): This is generally accepted as the black mulberry tree (Morus nigra; Natural Order, Urlicaceae), known in Arabic as tut shrami, "the Damascus mulberry," a fine tree which grows to the height of 30 ft. It produces the dark blood-red mulberry juice referred to in 1 Maccabees 6:34 (moron), "the blood of.... mulberries," which was shown to the elephants of the Syrians. The white mulberry, M. alba, has white and less juicy fruit, and it is cultivated largely for the sake of its leaves with which the silkworms of the Lebanon are fed.

E. W. G. Masterman

4807. sukaminos -- the mulberry tree, the sycamine
... the mulberry tree, the sycamine. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration:
sukaminos Phonetic Spelling: (soo-kam'-ee-nos) Short Definition: a sycamore ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4807.htm - 7k

Second Great Group of Parables.
... of their prayer by showing the greatness of faith.] 6 And the Lord said, If ye had
faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xcii second great group of 7.htm

Unprofitable Servants.
... And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto
this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/xxvii unprofitable servants.htm

The Necessity of Increased Faith
... And he said, verily, if ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto
this sycamine tree, be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the necessity of increased faith.htm

On Psalm Lxxvii. Or Lxxviii.
... vine, and to destroy the Egyptian, while sparing those who are to "eat the grape
of gall, and drink the deadly venom of asps." [1212] And the sycamine of Egypt ...
/.../the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/on psalm lxxvii or lxxviii.htm

Ciii. Zacch??us. Parable of the Pounds. Journey to Jerusalem.
... pass that way. [This tree differs from the sycamine, and grows only in those
parts of Palestine where the climate is warmest. It is ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/ciii zacchaeus parable of the.htm

"Increase Our Faith. "
... "If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye would say unto this sycamine tree,
'Be thou rooted up, and be thou planted in the sea'; and it would obey you. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/increase our faith.htm

How Alexander when He had Taken the Government Made an Expedition ...
... he had heard of the change that was made in the people of Ptolemais, yet did he
still go on with his voyage, and came to the country called Sycamine, and there ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 12 how alexander when.htm

Jericho Itself.
... I. Such fruits and branches, also certain fruits of the sycamine-trees, which their
fathers had devoted to sacred uses,"they alienated into common. II. ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 47 jericho itself.htm

B. The Second Stages. Chs. 13:22 to 17:10
... the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.6 And the Lord said, If ye had
faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye would say unto this sycamine tree, Be ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/b the second stages chs.htm

Sycamine (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Sycamine tree. ... Noah Webster's Dictionary. (n.) See
Sycamore. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SYCAMINE, TREE. ...
/s/sycamine.htm - 8k

Sycamine-tree (1 Occurrence)
Sycamine-tree. Sycamine, Sycamine-tree. Sycamore . Multi-Version
Concordance Sycamine-tree (1 Occurrence). Luke 17:6 ...
/s/sycamine-tree.htm - 6k

Sycamore (9 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A large tree (Ficus Sycomorus) allied to the common fig. It is found in
Egypt and Syria, and is the sycamore, or sycamine, of Scripture. ...
/s/sycamore.htm - 10k

Obeyed (83 Occurrences)
... Luke 17:6 But the Lord said, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye had
said to this sycamine tree, Be thou rooted up, and be thou planted in the sea ...
/o/obeyed.htm - 32k

Mustard-seed (5 Occurrences)
... (WBS). Luke 17:6 And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard-seed,
ye might say to this sycamine-tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou ...
/m/mustard-seed.htm - 8k

Plucked (46 Occurrences)
... Luke 17:6 And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might
say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou ...
/p/plucked.htm - 21k

Swung (5 Occurrences)

/s/swung.htm - 8k

Sycomore (3 Occurrences)
... sik'-o-mor, (shiqmah, Aramaic shiqema' plural shiqmim; in Septuagint wrongly translated
by sukaminos, "the mulberry"; see SYCAMINE (1 Kings 10:27 1 Chronicles ...
/s/sycomore.htm - 10k

Tree (245 Occurrences)
... features. The trees yield a valuable, hard, close-grained timber, not readily
attacked by insects. EWG Masterman. SYCAMINE, TREE. sik ...
/t/tree.htm - 75k

Mulberry (6 Occurrences)
... army. This was the signal that the Lord himself would lead forth David's
army to victory. (see SYCAMINE.). Noah Webster's Dictionary. ...
/m/mulberry.htm - 11k

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