עַרְמוֹן
the plane tree (from its smooth and shed bark)
Definition
The Hebrew word עַרְמוֹן refers to a specific type of tree, most likely the oriental plane tree (Platanus orientalis). This identification is based on its description as having smooth, shedding bark, which fits the plane tree's characteristic peeling outer layer. In the Bible, it is consistently used to describe a tree species used for practical purposes, such as Jacob's use of its branches in Genesis 30:37 to influence the coloration of livestock. The prophet Ezekiel also uses it in a list of majestic trees in Ezekiel 31:8, highlighting its stature and beauty.
Biblical Usage
This word appears only three times in the Old Testament, always as a noun referring to the tree itself. In Genesis 30:37, Jacob peels strips of bark from branches of the עַרְמוֹן (along with other trees) to create visual markers for his flocks. In Ezekiel 31:8, it is listed among the great trees of the garden of God, emphasizing its grandeur. The reference in 1 Samuel 23:22 is a place name, 'the Rocks of the Wild Goats,' which may derive from the tree's name, suggesting a location where these trees were common.
Etymology
The noun עַרְמוֹן is likely derived from the root עָרַם (H6191, 'aram'), meaning 'to be bare, smooth, or crafty.' This connection points to the tree's most distinctive feature: its smooth, bare trunk resulting from its bark naturally peeling off in patches. The name thus describes the tree's physical appearance rather than any symbolic meaning.
Semantic Range
In the ancient Near East, the plane tree was valued for its shade and grandeur, often planted near water sources. Its distinctive shedding bark made it easily identifiable. The KJV's translation as 'chestnut tree' reflects a later, traditional identification, but modern scholarship and botany strongly favor the 'plane tree,' which is native to the region. This corrects a potential misunderstanding for modern readers about the specific flora mentioned in the biblical landscape.
אֶרֶז (ʼerez, H730) — cedar, a much taller and more famously majestic coniferous tree used in construction. אַלּוֹן (ʼallôn, H437) — oak, a sturdy, long-lived tree often associated with sacred sites. תִּרְזָה (tirzâh, H8655) — cypress or holm oak, another type of strong timber tree.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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