Plants & Trees
The trees, plants, and flowers of Scripture - the tree of life, the vine, the mustard seed, hyssop, and the lily of the field.
Trees
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The Tree of Life
The tree of life stood in the midst of Eden, offering unending life to those who ate of it. After the fall, humanity was barred from it by cherubim and a…
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The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil
God placed this tree in Eden and forbade Adam and Eve to eat of it, warning that in the day they did they would surely die. It was the one boundary that made…
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The Fig Tree
The fig tree, a staple of the land, became a recurring symbol of Israel and of spiritual fruitfulness. Adam and Eve sewed fig leaves to cover their shame;…
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The Olive Tree
The olive tree, source of oil for lamps, anointing, and food, is a biblical emblem of peace, prosperity, and God's covenant people. A dove brought Noah an…
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The Cedar of Lebanon
The towering cedars of Lebanon were prized as the finest timber in the ancient world, used by Solomon to build the temple and his palace. In Scripture the…
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The Palm Tree
The palm was a symbol of victory, righteousness, and rejoicing. Palm branches were waved in celebration, and Israel carried them at the Feast of Tabernacles.…
Symbolic Flora
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The Burning Bush
On the slopes of Mount Horeb, Moses turned aside to see a great wonder: a bush that burned with fire yet was not consumed. From the flame the LORD called his…
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The Grapevine
The vine is one of Scripture's richest images. Israel was planted as God's vineyard, expected to bear the fruit of righteousness. Jesus took up the image and…
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The Mustard Seed
Jesus used the tiny mustard seed to teach great truths about the kingdom of God and about faith. Though it is the least of seeds, it grows into a tree where…
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The Rose of Sharon
In the Song of Solomon, the beloved is called 'the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys,' a picture of beauty, love, and delight. The flowering plain of…
Plants & Herbs
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Hyssop
The humble hyssop plant was used to apply blood and water in Israel's rites of cleansing. At the first Passover it brushed lamb's blood onto the doorposts, and…
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The Lily of the Field
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus pointed to the lilies of the field to teach freedom from anxiety: they neither toil nor spin, yet 'Solomon in all his glory…