The Sycamore (Sycomore Fig)

Illustration of The Sycamore (Sycomore Fig)

The 'sycomore' of the Bible is the sycomore fig, a broad, low-branched tree that grew plentifully in Israel's lowlands and bore small figs. It is not the same as the sycamore or plane trees familiar in Europe and America. Amos was 'a gatherer of sycomore fruit' when God called him from his flocks to prophesy, and Solomon made cedars in Jerusalem as plentiful 'as the sycomore trees that are in the vale.' Most memorably, Zacchaeus, 'little of stature,' climbed up into a sycomore tree to see Jesus pass through Jericho, and Jesus stopped beneath it and called him by name.

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Strongest connections in Scripture
Luke 19 Amos 7

Key Passages

Zacchaeus Climbs the Sycomore

Luke 19:1-6

A tax collector climbs a tree out of curiosity, and Jesus invites himself to his house.

A1nd Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.

2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. 4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. 6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.

A Gatherer of Sycomore Fruit

Amos 7:14-15

Amos insists he was no professional prophet, only a herdsman and fig-tender whom the LORD called.

T14hen answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit:

15 And the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.

Explore Related

Characters 4

Zacchaeus Zacchaeus served as the chief tax collector in Jericho during Jesus' ministry, a role that made him wealthy… Jesus Jesus is portrayed in the Bible as the Son of God and the long-awaited Messiah whose coming fulfilled Old… Amos Amos was a shepherd and tender of sycamore figs from Tekoa in Judah who received a divine call to leave his… Solomon Solomon, the son of King David and Bathsheba, succeeded his father as ruler of Israel around 970 BCE and…

Places 1

Jericho Jericho was an ancient fortified city located near the Jordan River that stood as the first major obstacle…

Themes 2

Salvation From Noah's ark to the blood of the Lamb, salvation is the central drama of Scripture - God reaching into… Humility Moses was the meekest man on earth. Jesus washed feet. Paul called himself the chief of sinners. In God's…

Did You Know?

1

The Bible's sycomore is a kind of fig tree, not the maple-like sycamore of today.

2

Luke 17:6 mentions a 'sycamine tree,' usually thought to be a different tree, often identified as the mulberry.

3

Amos said he was 'a gatherer of sycomore fruit,' not a professional prophet.

4

Psalm 78 says God destroyed Egypt's sycomore trees with frost.