Almond, Almond Tree

 •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 10
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The tree and its fruit are represented by the same word. It is derived from a root signifying “to hasten,” which is appropriate, seeing it is the first tree to break out into blossom, as a forerunner of spring. The meaning is confirmed by Jeremiah 1:11-1211Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree. 12Then said the Lord unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it. (Jeremiah 1:11‑12), where the prophet saw an almond tree, and Jehovah said, “Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it.” The bowls of the golden candlestick were to be made like almonds (Ex. 25:33-3433Three bowls made like unto almonds, with a knop and a flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch, with a knop and a flower: so in the six branches that come out of the candlestick. 34And in the candlestick shall be four bowls made like unto almonds, with their knops and their flowers. (Exodus 25:33‑34); Ex. 37:19-2019Three bowls made after the fashion of almonds in one branch, a knop and a flower; and three bowls made like almonds in another branch, a knop and a flower: so throughout the six branches going out of the candlestick. 20And in the candlestick were four bowls made like almonds, his knops, and his flowers: (Exodus 37:19‑20)). Aaron’s rod budded, blossomed, and yielded almonds in one night (Num. 17:88And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness; and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds. (Numbers 17:8)): beautiful type of the coming of the Lord Jesus out of His grave perfect for His priestly functions.
 
In Ecclesiastes 12:55Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets: (Ecclesiastes 12:5), when everything seems to be decaying, instead of “the almond tree shall flourish,” it may be translated “the almond tree shall be despised”; others say, “cause loathing”; others prefer to compare the almond tree to the white head of an old man hastening to the grave.