Difference between revisions of "Almond"

<p> '''''a´mund''''' : </p> <p> (1) שׁקד , <i> '''''shāḳēdh''''' </i> , Genesis 43:11; Numbers 17:8 , etc. The word <i> shaked </i> comes from a Hebrew root meaning to "watch" or "wait." In Jeremiah 1:11 , Jeremiah 1:12 there is a play on the word, "And I said, I see a rod of an almond-tree ( <i> '''''shāḳēdh''''' </i> ). Then said Yahweh unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will watch ( <i> '''''shōḳēdh''''' </i> ) over my word to perform it." </p> <p> (2) לוּז , <i> '''''lūz''''' </i> ; the King James Version hazel , Genesis 30:37; <i> '''''lauz''''' </i> is the modern Arabic name for "almond" - L uz was the old name of [[Bethel]] (which see). </p> <h4> 1. Almond Tree </h4> <p> The almond tree is mentioned in Ecclesiastes 12:5 , where in the description of old age it says "the almond-tree shall blossom." The reference is probably to the white hair of age. An almond tree in full bloom upon a distant hillside has a certain likeness to a head of white hair. </p> <h4> 2. A R od of Almond </h4> <p> A rod of almond is referred to Genesis 30:37 , where "Jacob took him rods of fresh poplar, and of the almond ( <i> '''''lūz''''' </i> ) and of the plane-tree; and peeled white streaks in them" as a means of securing "ring-streaked, speckled, and spotted" lambs and goats - a proceeding founded doubtless upon some ancient folklore. Aaron's rod that budded ( Numbers 17:2 , Numbers 17:3 ) was an almond rod. Also see Jeremiah 1:11 referred to above. </p> <h4> 3. The Blossoms </h4> <p> The blossoms of the almond are mentioned Exodus 25:33 f; Exodus 37:19 f, etc. "Cups made like almond-blossoms in one branch, a knop (i.e. knob) and a flower," is the description given of parts of the sacred candlesticks. It is doubtful exactly what was intended - the most probable is, as Dillmann has suggested, that the cup was modeled after the calyx of the almond flower. See [[Candlestick]] . </p> <h4> 4. The Fruit </h4> <p> Israel directed his sons ( Genesis 43:11 ) to carry almonds as part of their present to Joseph in Egypt. Palestine is a land where the almond flourishes, whereas in Egypt it would appear to have been uncommon. Almonds are today esteemed a delicacy; they are eaten salted or beaten into a pulp with sugar like the familiar German Marzipan. </p> <p> The almond is <i> Amygdalus communis </i> (N.O. <i> Rosaceae </i> ), a tree very similar to the peach. The common variety grows to the height of 25 feet and produces an abundant blossom which appears before the leaves; In Palestine this is fully out at the end of January or beginning of February; it is the harbinger of spring. This early blossoming is supposed to be the origin of the name <i> '''''shāḳēdh''''' </i> which contains the idea of "early." The masses of almond trees in full bloom in some parts of Palestine make a very beautiful and striking sight. The bloom of some varieties is almost pure white, from a little distance, in other parts the delicate pink, always present at the inner part of the petals, is diffused enough to give a pink blush to the whole blossom. The fruit is a drupe with a dry fibrous or woody husk which splits into two halves as the fruit ripens. The common wild variety grows a kernel which is bitter from the presence of a substance called amygdalon, which yields in its turn prussic (hydrocyanic) acid. Young trees are grafted with cuttings from the sweet variety or are budded with apricot, peach or plum. </p>

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