Thick Trees
The Command to Use Thick Trees
In Leviticus 23:40, God instructs the Israelites regarding the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot): "On the first day you shall take the fruit of splendid trees, branches of palm trees, boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days." The phrase "thick trees" translates the Hebrew phrase meaning "trees of thick foliage" or "leafy trees," describing branches with dense, intertwined leaves that would provide ample cover.
Identification with Myrtle
Jewish tradition, preserved in the Talmud (Sukkah 12a), identifies the "thick trees" as myrtles. This identification has been maintained in Jewish practice for millennia, and myrtle branches remain one of the four species used in Sukkot observance to this day. The Talmud specifies particular features required of the myrtle branches used in the ritual, including that the leaves must grow in clusters of three from the same point on the stem. Myrtle trees are native to the Mediterranean region and were well known throughout ancient Israel for their dense, aromatic foliage.
The Feast of Tabernacles
The Feast of Tabernacles was one of Israel's three major pilgrimage festivals, celebrated in the seventh month after the autumn harvest. During the seven-day festival, the Israelites lived in temporary booths or shelters made from branches and foliage, commemorating their wilderness wanderings after the exodus from Egypt (Leviticus 23:42-43). The "thick trees" provided essential building material for these booths, offering shade and shelter. Nehemiah 8:15 records a specific post-exilic celebration where the people were instructed to go to the hills and bring back branches of olive, wild olive, myrtle, palm, and other leafy trees to make booths.
The Restoration Under Nehemiah
When Ezra read the Law to the returned exiles in Jerusalem, the people rediscovered the command to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles with booths (Nehemiah 8:14-17). They enthusiastically gathered branches, including those of "thick trees," and built shelters on their rooftops, in their courtyards, and in the public squares. The text notes that nothing like this celebration had occurred since the days of Joshua, highlighting how this practice had been neglected during the centuries of monarchy and exile.
Symbolism of the Leafy Branches
The use of thick, leafy branches carried symbolic meaning beyond mere practicality. The lush foliage represented God's abundant provision and the fruitfulness of the Promised Land. Living in temporary shelters reminded the Israelites of their dependence on God during the wilderness period, while the harvest setting affirmed his ongoing faithfulness. The myrtle in particular was associated with joy and divine blessing, as reflected in Isaiah 55:13, where myrtle replaces thorns as a sign of God's restoration.
Biblical Context
Thick trees are mentioned in Leviticus 23:40 as part of the Feast of Tabernacles observance and in Nehemiah 8:15 during the post-exilic restoration of the festival. The branches were used both as ritual items carried in procession and as building material for the temporary booths. These passages connect to the broader narrative of Israel's wilderness experience and God's provision.
Theological Significance
The thick trees used at the Feast of Tabernacles symbolize God's faithful provision and the believer's dependence on him. The temporary shelters remind God's people that earthly life is transient and that true security comes from the Lord. The joyful celebration commanded in connection with these branches (Leviticus 23:40) teaches that worship involves the whole person and the whole of creation.
Historical Background
Myrtle trees (Myrtus communis) grow abundantly in the Mediterranean region and were well known in ancient Israel. Archaeological and literary evidence confirms that Sukkot was widely observed throughout Israel's history. The Talmudic traditions about the specific requirements for myrtle branches reflect centuries of careful ritual practice. The four species used at Sukkot—citron fruit, palm, myrtle, and willow—have been depicted in ancient synagogue mosaics and on coins from the Bar Kokhba revolt.