לוּז
some kind of nuttree, perhaps the almond
Definition
The Hebrew noun לוּז (lûwz) refers to a type of nut-bearing tree. Its precise botanical identification is uncertain, but it is most commonly understood to be the almond tree (Prunus dulcis) or possibly the hazel. This identification is supported by context and ancient translations. The word appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Genesis 30:37, where Jacob uses its branches as part of a breeding strategy for his flocks. There are no other biblical passages where the meaning differs, as it is a hapax legomenon (a word occurring only once).
Biblical Usage
לוּז is used only in Genesis 30:37. In this narrative, Jacob peels strips of bark from branches of various trees, including the לוּז, to create visual patterns for Laban's flocks. The context is purely descriptive of a material object (a tree branch) used in a specific, culturally-situated practice. Its usage is confined to this single event in the patriarchal narratives.
Etymology
The etymology of לוּז is uncertain. It is likely a loanword from a foreign language, as indicated by many lexicons. There is no clear Hebrew verbal root. A possible connection is to the root ל־ו־ז (l-w-z) meaning 'to turn aside' or 'to depart,' which some suggest could metaphorically relate to the almond tree's early blossoming or the shape of its branches, but this is speculative. The similar-sounding Hebrew word for almond, שָׁקֵד (shāqēd, H8247), is unrelated.
Semantic Range
In Genesis 30:37, the use of לוּז branches is part of an ancient Near Eastern sympathetic magic or folk husbandry practice, where visual stimuli were believed to influence the outcome of animal breeding. While the biblical text narrates Jacob's actions, it attributes the success of the breeding program ultimately to God's revelation and faithfulness to His promise (Genesis 31:9-12), subtly contrasting human methods with divine providence. The modern reader should understand this within its ancient cultural framework.
שָׁקֵד (shāqēd, H8247) — The standard biblical Hebrew word for 'almond tree,' used symbolically in Jeremiah 1:11-12.
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.
Full methodology & sources →