almond

A fruit tree, in Palestine growing as high as twenty-five feet. According to (Gen 30:37) Jacob used rods of almond, poplar, and plane in his plan against Laban. In (Gen 43:11) almonds are among the choice fruits of the land. According to (Num 17:8), Aaron’s rod put forth buds, blossoms, and ripe almonds, thus demonstrating he was divinely chosen. Jeremiah’s vision of the rod of almond is the occasion for God to affirm that God is watching over God’s word (Jer 1:11). Ecclesiastes uses the almond blossom to illustrate declining old age (Eccl 12:5). In (Exod 25:33-34 and Exod 37:19-20), the cups on the six branches and main stand of the candlestick (menorah; NRSV: “lampstand”) were shaped like almonds.