שִׁקְמָה
a sycamore (usually the tree)
Definition
The Hebrew word שִׁקְמָה (shiqmâh) refers to the sycamore-fig tree (Ficus sycomorus), a distinct species from the North American sycamore. It was a valuable, fast-growing tree in ancient Israel, known for its durable wood and edible fruit. In the Bible, it is primarily associated with material prosperity and agricultural abundance, as seen in 1 Kings 10:27 and 2 Chronicles 9:27, where it is listed among the riches of Solomon's kingdom. However, in Psalm 78:47, the sycamore is a target of God's judgment, as He destroys the trees of Egypt with hail. The prophet Amos specifically identifies himself as a tender of sycamore-fig trees (Amos 7:14), highlighting a humble agricultural occupation.
Biblical Usage
The word is used seven times in the Old Testament, primarily in historical books (Kings, Chronicles) describing the wealth and agricultural output of the Israelite monarchy (e.g., 1 Chronicles 27:28 lists it as a royal commodity). It appears in poetic/prophetic contexts in Psalms 78:47 (as an instrument of judgment) and Isaiah 9:10, where its use in rebuilding symbolizes defiant human pride. Amos 7:14 provides a unique personal usage, where Amos describes his pre-prophetic vocation as a dresser of sycamore-figs, a task involving nicking the fruit to aid ripening.
Etymology
The derivation of שִׁקְמָה is uncertain. It is likely a loanword, possibly from Egyptian (via Coptic 'sōkōm'), reflecting the tree's prevalence in the Egyptian region. There is no clear Hebrew root. The similar-sounding Aramaic word for 'sycamore' suggests a common Semitic borrowing for this specific tree, distinguishing it from other fig species.
Semantic Range
The sycamore-fig tree carries theological significance as a symbol of both God's provision and His judgment. Its association with Solomon's wealth (1 Kings 10:27) reflects God's blessing on a faithful king, while its destruction in Psalm 78:47 demonstrates God's sovereign power over nature to execute judgment. In Amos 7:14, the prophet's connection to the sycamore tree grounds his authority in a humble, agrarian background, contrasting with the professional prophets of the royal court and emphasizing that God calls individuals from all walks of life.
The sycamore-fig was a crucial economic resource in ancient Israel and Egypt. Its wood was used for construction and furniture (as implied in Isaiah 9:10), while its fig-like fruit was a food source for people of all classes, especially the poor. Unlike common fig trees, the sycamore-fig's fruit required a specific process of scoring or pinching to make it edible, which is the likely 'dressing' or 'tending' work Amos references. It grew well in the lowlands (Shephelah) and Jordan Valley but not in the highlands, making it a marker of specific geographic and economic zones.
תְּאֵנָה (te'ênâh, H8384) — a common fig tree, producing the typical fig fruit. שִׁקְמָה is a specific species of fig tree with different growth habits and fruit.
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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