συκάμινος

a sycamore tree

Definition

The Greek word συκάμινος (sykaminos) refers specifically to the sycamore-fig tree (Ficus sycomorus), a distinct species from the North American sycamore. It is a sturdy, fruit-bearing tree common in the warmer regions of the eastern Mediterranean, known for its edible figs and broad shade. In the New Testament, it appears only in Luke 17:6, where Jesus uses it as an example of a large, deeply rooted plant to illustrate the power of faith. This tree should not be confused with the συκομορέα (sukomorea), another 'sycamore' mentioned in Luke 19:4 (the tree Zacchaeus climbed), which is likely the same species but reflects a slight linguistic variation.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Luke 17:6. In this context, Jesus tells his disciples that if they have faith as small as a mustard seed, they could command a συκάμινος (sycamine tree) to be uprooted and planted in the sea, and it would obey. The usage is purely illustrative, employing a well-known, substantial tree as a metaphor for something immovable that can be overcome by genuine faith. No other patterns or contextual uses exist in the biblical text.

Etymology

The word συκάμινος (sykaminos) is derived from the Greek words σῦκον (sykon), meaning 'fig,' and perhaps an Eastern loanword, indicating its identity as a fig-bearing tree. It is a direct borrowing into Greek for a specific tree species. The similar word συκομορέα (sukomorea) used in Luke 19:4 is a Hellenized form of the Hebrew שִׁקְמָה (shiqmah), showing two Greek renderings for the same Semitic tree name.

Semantic Range

Theologically, the sycamine tree in Luke 17:6 serves as a powerful metaphor for the seemingly impossible obstacles that faith in God can overcome. Jesus uses a concrete, familiar object from the agricultural world to teach an abstract spiritual principle: that the potency of faith is not in its size but in its object—God Himself. Understanding this Greek term enriches the reading by clarifying that Jesus chose a specific, robust tree known for its deep roots, heightening the contrast with the tiny mustard seed and emphasizing the miraculous power available through genuine belief.

In the cultural context of first-century Palestine, the sycamore-fig (Ficus sycomorus) was a valuable and common tree. It provided dense shade, timber, and multiple crops of small, edible figs annually, making it an important economic resource. Its presence in the story of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:4, using the synonym συκομορέα) highlights its stature and climbability. Modern readers might confuse it with the unrelated North American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), but the biblical tree is a type of fig, central to the landscape and daily life of the region.

συκομορέα (sukomorea, G4809) — A synonym used in Luke 19:4, often translated as 'sycamore' as well; it is a Hellenized form of the Hebrew name for the same Ficus sycomorus tree.

Word Details

Scripture References