Trees: Myrtle
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Topical Encyclopedia
The myrtle tree, known scientifically as Myrtus communis, is a fragrant evergreen shrub native to the Mediterranean region and the Middle East. In the Bible, the myrtle is mentioned several times, symbolizing peace, prosperity, and divine blessing. Its presence in Scripture often conveys themes of restoration and hope.

Biblical References:

1. Nehemiah 8:15 · "So they proclaimed this message in all their cities and in Jerusalem: 'Go out to the hill country and bring back branches of olive, wild olive, myrtle, palm, and other leafy trees to make booths, as it is written.'" In this passage, the myrtle is one of the trees used in the construction of booths for the Feast of Tabernacles, a festival celebrating God's provision and deliverance. The inclusion of myrtle branches signifies the beauty and abundance of God's creation.

2. Isaiah 41:19 · "I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the acacia, the myrtle, and the olive; I will set in the desert the cypress, the plane, and the pine." Here, the myrtle is part of a prophetic vision of transformation and renewal, where barren lands are turned into lush landscapes. The myrtle's presence underscores the promise of God's restoration and the flourishing of His people.

3. Isaiah 55:13 · "Instead of the thornbush, a cypress will grow, and instead of the brier, a myrtle will spring up; they will make a name for the LORD, an everlasting sign, never to be destroyed." This verse highlights the myrtle as a symbol of divine blessing and the reversal of curses. The transformation from briers to myrtles represents the redemptive work of God, bringing beauty and joy in place of desolation.

4. Zechariah 1:8-11 · In Zechariah's vision, the prophet sees a man standing among the myrtle trees in a ravine. The myrtle trees in this vision are associated with God's watchful presence and His plans for the nations. The setting among the myrtles suggests a place of peace and divine oversight, where God is attentive to the affairs of His people.

Symbolism and Significance:

In biblical symbolism, the myrtle tree is often associated with peace and divine favor. Its evergreen nature and fragrant leaves make it a fitting representation of enduring beauty and the sweet aroma of a life blessed by God. The myrtle's ability to thrive in arid conditions also serves as a metaphor for resilience and hope amidst adversity.

The myrtle's role in the Feast of Tabernacles and its prophetic associations in Isaiah and Zechariah highlight its significance in the narrative of God's covenantal promises. It serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness to restore and renew His creation, bringing forth life and abundance where there was once barrenness.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the myrtle was valued for its aromatic qualities and was often used in perfumes and as an ornamental plant. Its presence in biblical texts reflects its cultural importance and its symbolic resonance with themes of beauty and divine blessing.

Overall, the myrtle tree in the Bible is a powerful emblem of God's restorative power and His commitment to bring peace and prosperity to His people. Its enduring presence in Scripture continues to inspire believers with the hope of God's unfailing promises.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Isaiah 41:19
I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, and the pine, and the box tree together:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 55:13
Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Zechariah 1:8
I saw by night, and behold a man riding on a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle trees that were in the bottom; and behind him were there red horses, speckled, and white.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Strong's Hebrew
1918. hadas -- myrtle (tree)
... myrtle. Word Origin from the same as hadom Definition myrtle (tree) NASB
Word Usage myrtle (3), myrtle trees (3). myrtle tree. Of ...
/hebrew/1918.htm - 6k
Library

The Morning Breaketh
... of Zechariah the eighth to the eleventh verses, "I saw by night, and behold a man
riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle trees that were in the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapman/and judas iscariot/the morning breaketh.htm

How it was Brought About that the Greeks Speak of Three Hypostases ...
... So three several laurels we also call three trees; but a laurel, and a myrtle, and
an olive, we call only three trees, or three substances, or three natures ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 4 how it was brought.htm

The Incarnation and Birth of Christ
... There is a passage in Zechariah which teaches us a lesson:"lt is said that
the man on the red horse stood among the myrtle-trees. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the incarnation and birth of.htm

A Caution to the Presumptuous
... The holy dove came to Jordan; we read not that it ever rested on Bashan. The man
upon the white horse rode among the myrtle trees, not among the cedars. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/a caution to the presumptuous.htm

Instructed in the Law of God
... saying, Go forth unto the mount, and fetch olive branches, and pine branches, and
myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 56 instructed in the.htm

Authorship of the Pentateuch.
... the seventh month;" and that they should "fetch olive-branches, and pine-branches,
and myrtle-branches, and palm-branches, and branches of thick trees, to make ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter ix authorship of the.htm

Whether Sufficient Reason Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies ...
... the fruits of the fairest tree," ie the citron, "and the trees of dense foliage"
[*Douay and AV and RV read: 'Boughs of thick trees'], ie the myrtle, which is ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether sufficient reason can be.htm

A Letter from a West Indian Cottage Ornee
... in fancy"out of the grove into a neighbouring path, between tea- shrubs, looking
like privets with large myrtle flowers, and young clove-trees, covered with ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter v a letter from.htm

Malachi.
... 1. The horseman among the myrtle trees, 1:7-17. 2. The four horns and four
carpenters, 1:18-21. 3. The man with the measuring line, Ch.2. ...
/.../the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter xxiii malachi.htm

Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem.
... { ^a trees,} [It has been the custom ... Thus over flowers Alexander entered Babylon,
and Xerxes crossed the bridge of the Hellespont over a myrtle-strewn pathway. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cv jesus triumphal entry into.htm

Resources
What is the significance of the olive tree in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What are the meanings of the various visions in the book of Zechariah? | GotQuestions.org

What is the lily of the valley (Song of Solomon 2:1)? | GotQuestions.org

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Subtopics

Trees

Trees of Christ

Trees of Kings

Trees of the Life and Conversation of the Righteous

Trees of Various Sizes

Trees of Wisdom

Trees were Cut Down by Besieging Armies for Erecting Forts

Trees were Cut Down for Building

Trees were Cut Down for Fuel

Trees were Cut Down for Making Idols

Trees were Cut Down with Axes

Trees were Sold With the Land on Which They Grew

Trees: (Barren) of the Wicked

Trees: (Casting Their Leaves Yet Retaining Their Substance) of

Trees: (Dry) of the Wicked Ripe for Judgment

Trees: (Dry) of Useless Persons

Trees: (Duration of) of Continued Prosperity of Saints

Trees: (Evergreen) of Saints

Trees: (Good and Fruitful) of Saints

Trees: (Green) of the Innocence of Christ

Trees: (Producing Evil Fruit) the Wicked

Trees: (Shaking of the Leaves off) the Terror of the Wicked

Trees: Afford an Agreeable Shade in Eastern Countries During The

Trees: Almond

Trees: Almug or Algum

Trees: Apple

Trees: Ash

Trees: Bay

Trees: Box

Trees: Cedar

Trees: Chestnut

Trees: Cyprus

Trees: Designed to Beautify the Earth

Trees: Different Kinds of Mentioned of the Forest

Trees: Different Kinds of Mentioned of the Wood

Trees: Different Kinds of Mentioned: Bearing Fruit

Trees: Different Kinds of Mentioned: Deciduous or Casting the Leaves

Trees: Different Kinds of Mentioned: Evergreen

Trees: Each Kind Has Its own Seed for Propagating Its Species

Trees: Each Kind of, Known by Its Fruit

Trees: Early Custom of Planting, in Consecrated Grounds

Trees: Fig

Trees: Fir

Trees: Given As Food to the Animal Creation

Trees: God Increases and Multiplies the Fruit of, for his People

Trees: God often Renders, Barren As a Punishment

Trees: Juniper

Trees: Lign-Aloes

Trees: Made for the Glory of God

Trees: Mulberry

Trees: Mustard

Trees: Myrtle

Trees: Nourished by the Earth

Trees: Nourished by the Rain from Heaven

Trees: Nourished: Through Their own Sap

Trees: Oak

Trees: Often Propagated by Birds Who Carry the Seeds Along With Them

Trees: Often Suffered From: Desolating Armies

Trees: Often Suffered From: Fire

Trees: Often Suffered From: Hail and Frost

Trees: Often Suffered From: Locusts

Trees: Oil-Tree

Trees: Olive

Trees: Originally Created by God

Trees: Palm

Trees: Parts of Mentioned: The Branches

Trees: Parts of Mentioned: The Fruit or Seeds

Trees: Parts of Mentioned: The Leaves

Trees: Parts of Mentioned: The Roots

Trees: Parts of Mentioned: The Stem or Trunk

Trees: Parts of Mentioned: The Tender Shoots

Trees: Pine

Trees: Planted by Man

Trees: Pomegranate

Trees: Shittah or Shittim

Trees: Solomon Wrote the History of

Trees: Specially Flourished Beside the Rivers and Streams of Water

Trees: Sycamore

Trees: Teil

Trees: The Jews: Considered Trees on Which Criminals Were Executed

Trees: The Jews: Often Buried Under

Trees: The Jews: Often Executed Criminals On

Trees: The Jews: Often Pitched Their Tents Under

Trees: The Jews: Prohibited from Cutting Down Fruit Bearing, for Sieges

Trees: The Jews: Prohibited from Planting in Consecrated Places

Trees: Vine

Trees: when Cut Down often Sprouted from Their Roots Again

Trees: Willow

Related Terms

Fir-trees (11 Occurrences)

Cedar-trees (11 Occurrences)

Olive-trees (11 Occurrences)

Palm-trees (23 Occurrences)

Cypress-trees (6 Occurrences)

Fig-trees (5 Occurrences)

Fruit-trees (5 Occurrences)

Sycamore-trees (6 Occurrences)

Sycomore-trees (6 Occurrences)

Algum-trees (3 Occurrences)

Mulberry-trees (4 Occurrences)

Myrtle-trees (3 Occurrences)

Almug-trees (2 Occurrences)

Lotus-trees (2 Occurrences)

Plane-trees (1 Occurrence)

Oak-trees (1 Occurrence)

Chesnut-trees (1 Occurrence)

Spice-trees (2 Occurrences)

Pomegranate-trees (1 Occurrence)

Balsam-trees (1 Occurrence)

Acacia-trees (1 Occurrence)

Aloe-trees (1 Occurrence)

Mulberry (6 Occurrences)

Algum (3 Occurrences)

Almug (2 Occurrences)

Myrtle (7 Occurrences)

Pine (28 Occurrences)

Sandal-wood (5 Occurrences)

Cedars (37 Occurrences)

Sycamore (9 Occurrences)

Aloes (5 Occurrences)

Axe (19 Occurrences)

Balsam (10 Occurrences)

Carved (36 Occurrences)

Tall (41 Occurrences)

Boughs (29 Occurrences)

Riverside (4 Occurrences)

Elim (5 Occurrences)

Decorated (12 Occurrences)

Palms (20 Occurrences)

Arches (13 Occurrences)

Sycamore-fig (6 Occurrences)

Shady (3 Occurrences)

Shephe'lah (10 Occurrences)

Apple-tree (3 Occurrences)

Vestibule (36 Occurrences)

Pomegranate (11 Occurrences)

Vines (39 Occurrences)

Porches (13 Occurrences)

Projections (10 Occurrences)

Baca (1 Occurrence)

Baalhanan (5 Occurrences)

Baal-hanan (5 Occurrences)

Cypress (17 Occurrences)

Chestnut (2 Occurrences)

Carvings (6 Occurrences)

Augur's

Almugwood (2 Occurrences)

Producing (20 Occurrences)

Sidonians (16 Occurrences)

Ax (12 Occurrences)

Shade (67 Occurrences)

Supports (25 Occurrences)

Crops (48 Occurrences)

Compared (29 Occurrences)

Acacia (28 Occurrences)

Palm-tree (8 Occurrences)

Planting (57 Occurrences)

Apple (8 Occurrences)

Cherubs (52 Occurrences)

Plains (31 Occurrences)

Palm (49 Occurrences)

Cedar (61 Occurrences)

Portico (37 Occurrences)

Tyrians (3 Occurrences)

Moreh (3 Occurrences)

Masons (8 Occurrences)

Planks (9 Occurrences)

Trees: Mustard
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