Holm-Tree
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature [1]
( Πρῖνος , Ilex) occurs only in the apocryphal story of Susanna (ver. 58). The passage contains a characteristic play on the names of the two trees mentioned by the elders in their evidence. That on the mastich ( Σχῖνον ... Ἄγγελος Σχίσει Σε ) will be noticed under that head. (See Mastick). That on the holm-tree ( Πρῖνον ) is: "The angel of God waiteth with the sword to cut thee in two" (Ἵνα Πρίσαι Σε ). For the historical significance of these puns, (See Susanna). The Πρῖνος of Theophrastus (Hist. Plant. 3, 7, § 3, and 16, § 1, and elsewhere) and Dioscorides (1, 144) denotes, there can be no doubt, the Quercus coccifera, or the Q. pseudococcifera, which is perhaps not specifically distinct from the first- mentioned oak. The ilex of the Roman writers was applied both to the holm-oak (Quercus ilex), and to the Q. coccifera, or kermes oak. See Pliny (N.H. 16, 6). For the oaks of Palestine, see a paper by Dr. Hooker in the Transactions of the Linnaean Society, vol. 23, pt. 2, p. 381-387. — Smith, s.v. (See Oak).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia [2]
hōm´trē :
(1) תּרזה , tirzāh ( Isaiah 44:14 , the King James Version "cypress"): The name, from the root meaning (compare Arabic taraza ) "to be hard," implies some very hard wood. Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible , 390-405 ad) has ilex , which is Latin for holm oak, so named from its holly-like leaves ( hollen in Old English = "holly"); this translation has now been adopted, but it is doubtful.
(2) πρῖνος , prı́nos , Susanna verse 58. This is the ilex or holm oak. There is a play on the words prinos and prı́sai (literally, "saw") in verses 58,59 (see Susanna ). The evergreen or holm oak is represented by two species in Palestine, Quercus ilex and Q. coccifera . The leaf of both species is somewhat like a small holly leaf, is glossy green and usually spiny. The Q. ilex is insignificant, but Q. coccifera is a magnificent tree growing to a height of 40 ft. or more, and often found in Palestine flourishing near sacred tombs, and itself not infrequently the object of superstitious veneration.
