Terebinth

Fig. 329—Terebinth tree

This is the proper rendering of the word (Alah) which has been variously translated as oak, teil tree, elm, and even plane. In Palestine and the neighboring countries, the terebinth seems to be regarded with much the same distinction as the oak is in our northern latitudes. The tree is long lived. About the time of Christ, there was at Mamre near Hebron a venerable terebinth, which a tradition, old in the time of Josephus, alleged to be that under which Abraham pitched his tent (Gen 13:18).

Dr. Robinson states, that at the point where the roads from Gaza to Jerusalem, and from Hebron to Ramleh, cross each other, he observed an immense terebinth tree, the largest he saw anywhere in Palestine; ’This species (Pistacia Terebinthus) is without doubt,’ he adds, ’the terebinth of the Old Testament, and under the shade of such a tree Abraham may well have pitched his tent at Mamre.’ The terebinth is not an evergreen, as has often been represented, but its small feathered lancet shaped leaves fall in the autumn, and are renewed in the spring. The flowers are small, and are followed by small oval berries, hanging in clusters from two to five inches in length, resembling much the clusters of the vine when the grapes are just set. From incisions in the trunk, there is said to flow a sort of transparent balsam, constituting a very pure and fine species of turpentine, with an agreeable odor, and hardening gradually into a transparent gum [OAK].

See OAK.\par

See OAK AND TEREBINTH:

TEREBINTH does not occur at all in AV [Note: Authorized Version.] , and only thrice in RV [Note: Revised Version.] , being substituted in Isa 6:13 for ‘tail tree,’ in Hos 4:13 for ‘elm,’ and in Sir 24:16 for ‘turpentine tree.’ Strong reasons, however, can be urged for rendering by ‘terebinth’ in a great many instances where EV [Note: English Version.] has ‘oak’ (see Oak). The terebinth or turpentine tree (Sir 24:16)—Pistacia terebinthus, the butm of the Arabs—is one of the most imposing trees in Palestine. In almost every locality where it is allowed to attain its full growth—30 to 40 feet high—it is associated with a sacred tomb or grove: many such groves are still deeply venerated in Galilee. Dwarfed trees occur everywhere among the oak brushwood. The tree has pinnate, lancet-shaped leaves and small reddish clusters like immature grape clusters; it is also often covered with curious red galls—like pieces of coral. The dark overhanging foliage affords a grateful shade in summer, but in autumn the leaves change colour and fall off. Cf. Mamre.

E. W. G. Masterman.

ter´ḗ-binth: (1) אלח, ’ēlāh (Isa 6:13, the King James Version “teil tree”; Hos 4:13, the King James Version “elms”); in Gen 35:4 (the King James Version “oak”); Jdg 6:11, Jdg 6:19; Jdg 9:6 (the King James Version “plain”); 2Sa 18:9, 2Sa 18:10, 2Sa 18:14; 1Ki 13:14; 1Ch 10:12; Isa 1:30; Eze 6:13, translated “oak,” and in margin “terebinth”; “vale of Elah,” margin “the terebinth” in 1Sa 17:2, 1Sa 17:19; 1Sa 21:9. (2) אלים, ’ēlı̄m (Isa 1:29, “oaks,” margin “terebinths”). (3) אלּה, ’allāh (Jos 24:26, English Versions of the Bible have “oak,” but the Septuagint τερέβινθος, terébinthos). (4) אלון, ’ēlōn, “oak (margin, “terebinth”) of Zaanannim” (Jos 19:33; Jdg 4:11); “oak (the Revised Version margin “terebinth,” the King James Version “plain”) of Tabor” (1Sa 10:3); also Gen 12:6; Gen 13:18; Gen 14:13; 1Sa 10:3; Deu 11:30; Jdg 6:19 all translated “oak” or “oaks,” with margin “terebinth” or “terebinths.” (5) In Gen 14:6 Septuagint has τερέβινθος, terébinthos, as the translation of the el of El-paran. (6) In Ecclesiasticus 24:16 τερέμ(β)ινθος, terém(b)inthos, the King James Version turpentine tree,” the Revised Version (British and American) “terebinth.”

It is clear that the translators are uncertain which translation is correct, and it would seem not improbable that then there was no clear distinction between oak and terebinth in the minds of the Old Testament. writers; yet the two are very different trees to any but the most superficial observation.

The terebinth - Pistacia terebinthus (Natural Order, Anacardiaceae), Arabic Buṭm - is a tree allied to the P. vera, which produces the pistachio nut, and to the familiar “pepper tree” (Schinus molle) so extensively cultivated in modern Palestine. Like the latter the terebinth has red berries, like small immature grapes. The leaves are pinnate, four to six pairs, and they change color and fall in autumn, leaving the trunk bare (compare Isa 1:30). The terebinth is liable to be infected by many showy galls, some varieties looking like pieces of red coral. In Palestine, this tree assumes noble proportions, especially in situations when, from its association with some sacred tomb, it is allowed to flourish undisturbed. It is in such situations not infrequently as much as 40 ft. high and spreads its branches, with their thick, dark-green foliage, over a wide area (compare 2Sa 18:9 f, 14; Ecclesiasticus 24:16). Dwarfed trees occur among the brushwood all over the land.

From this tree a kind of turpentine is obtained, hence, the alternative name “turpentine tree” (Ecclesiasticus 24:16 the King James Version, the Revised Version (British and American) “terebinth”).

Terebinth. A large spreading tree which grew to a height of about 6 to 8 meters (20-26 feet) with reddish-green leaves and red berries in clusters. The terebinth is mentioned several times in the Bible. It is sometimes translated as teil ( Isa 6:13), elm ( Hos 4:13), or oak ( Gen 35:4) by the KJV.

The Palestine terebinth or turpentine tree (Pistacia terebinthus) is a large tree that sheds its leaves seasonally (Isaiah 6:13; Hosea 4:13). It has spreading branches that grow in different directions. In winter, without its leaves, it looks very similar to an oak tree. This tree grows from 3.7 to 7.6 meters (12 to 25 feet) tall. Every part of the tree contains a sweet-smelling, sticky juice called resin. The fruit of the terebinth is a small reddish or bluish drupe (a type of fruit with a single seed inside, like an olive or cherry). The fruit is not typically eaten by humans, but birds and animals may eat it. It is much smaller and less flavorful than the fruit of the pistachio tree (Pistacia vera), which produces the pistachio nut we eat today.

The terebinth tree is common on the lower parts of hills throughout Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, and Arabia. It usually grows alone rather than in groups and is mostly found in places that are too warm or too dry for oak trees. Since the terebinth naturally grows in Gilead, it is likely that its sticky juice was part of the spices that the Ishmaelites carried from Gilead to Egypt (Genesis 37:25).

See Pistachio.

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