Luk 17:6 ye could say unto this one, Be uprooted, and
19:4
A species of fig tree from Egypt, although taller than this, it bears an edible, pear-shaped, sweet and slightly aromatic fruit, of inferior quality to that of the fig tree. Prized for its shade in the Middle East and for its incorruptible wood, the Egyptians used it to make mummy boxes.
Sycamore trees grew in abundance in the Sefela or Low Land 1 R 10, 27; 2Chr 1, 15; 2 Cro 9, 27. King David, within the administrative organization of the kingdom, put Baal Hanan in charge of the sycamores and olive groves, in the Lower Land, 1 Cro 27, 28.
The prophet Amos says that he tended cattle and chopped the fruits of the s. Am 7, 14. Lucas narrates that Zacchaeus, chief of the publicans, climbed in a s. to see Jesus go by and he said to him: “Zacchaeus, come down quickly; because today it is convenient for me to stay in your house† , Lk 19, 4-5.
Digital Bible Dictionary, Grupo C Service & Design Ltda., Colombia, 2003
Source: Digital Bible Dictionary
see PLANTS
Source: Hispanic World Bible Dictionary
Plant with evergreen leaves, which can reach a height of 15 m, with abundant foliage and great leafiness. Zacchaeus, in order to see Jesus, “climbed up a tree” (Luke 19:4). The Lord Jesus said that faith as small as “a mustard seed” could uproot a s. and plant it in the sea (Luke 17:6). he s. it is a kind of fig tree called Ficus sycomorus. It produces a small fruit that, to be better eaten, must be pierced while still on the branch, before ripening. That work was what †¢Amos did (Amo 7:14). The s. they grew on the plains, as in the Shephelah (1Ki 10:27; 2Ch 1:15; 2Ch 9:27). In David’s time, an official was appointed to tend those trees (1Ch 27:28). †¢Fig tree. Fig. †¢Plants of the Bible.
Source: Christian Bible Dictionary
tip, TREE FLOWER
vet, (Heb. “shikmah”; Gr. “sykomoros”, “sykomorea”). This tree, of the fig genus, abounded in the Judean plain (1 Kings 10:27; 1 Chron. 27:28; 2 Chron. 1:15; 9:27); it was also in the Jordan Valley (Luke 19:4). The Egyptians cultivated it (Ps. 78:47). The sycamore, of lesser quality than the cedar, nevertheless served as wood for carpentry (Is. 9:9). It is the “Ficus sycomorus”, similar to the fig tree. It measures from 7 to 15 m. tall and about 18 m. cup diameter. The leaves are cordate and hairy on the underside. It is often planted along paths, where it provides pleasant shade (cf. Lk. 19:4). The fruits grow in clusters on small branches that come directly from the trunk, and on thick branches. This tree should not be confused with the pseudo-plantain sycamore, a species of maple (“Acer pseudoplatanus”).
Source: New Illustrated Bible Dictionary
Tree with foliage similar to the moral and with fruits similar to the fig tree; of firm roots and high-quality wood (Lk 17,6). It was perfect on the coastal plain and in the Jordan Valley, on the esplanade of Jericho (1 Chron 1,15; Lk 19,4).
MNE
FERNANDEZ RAMOS, Felipe (Dir.), Dictionary of Jesus of Nazareth, Editorial Monte Carmelo, Burbos, 2001
Source: Dictionary of Jesus of Nazareth
(Heb. schiq·mah).
This tree (Ficus sycomorus) has a fruit similar to that of the common fig tree, but its foliage resembles that of the moral tree, which is why it is also called the moral fig tree. (Lu 19:4) It grows to a height of about 10 to 15 m, is strong, and can live for several hundred years. Unlike the common fig tree, the sycamore is an evergreen tree. Although its heart-shaped leaves are smaller than those of the common fig tree, the foliage is dense and widely spread, providing good shade. For this reason it used to be planted along the paths. The short, stocky trunk quickly puts out branches, and the lower ones sprout close to the ground, making it an ideal roadside tree for a short man like Zacchaeus to climb so he could see Jesus. (Lu 19:2-4.)
The figs grow in abundant clusters and are smaller and of lesser quality than those of the common fig tree. Today, Egyptians and Cypriots who grow sycamores often pierce the fruit before it ripens with a needle or other sharp instrument so that it can be eaten. Prickling sycamore figs shortly before they ripen causes the release of ethylene gas to increase rapidly, greatly accelerating (three to eight times) the growth and ripening of the fruit. This procedure is very important, because otherwise the fruit would not fully develop and would remain hard, or else it would be spoiled by parasitic wasps that penetrate the fruit and remain there for their reproduction. This sheds some light on the occupation that the prophet Amos said he had: † œCattle Keeper and Sycamore Fig Piercer†. (Am 7:14.)
In addition to growing in the Jordan Valley (Lu 19:1, 4) and around Teqoa (Am 1:1; 7:14), sycamore trees were especially abundant in the Shephelah lowlands (1Ki 10:27; 2Ch 1 :15; 9:27), and although its fruit was not of the quality of the common fig tree, King David considered it valuable enough to place the Shephelah groves under the care of a chief administrator. (1Ch 27:28) Sycamore trees must have been abundant in Egypt at the time of the ten plagues, and they are still a source of food in that country. (Ps 78:47) The wood is somewhat soft, porous, and considerably inferior to cedar, but very durable, and was therefore widely used in construction. (Isa 9:10) Mummy caskets made of sycamore wood have been found in Egyptian tombs and are still in good condition after some 3,000 years.
Source: Dictionary of the Bible
1. sukomorea (sukomwreva, 4809), used in Luk 19:4:¶ This tree is of the fig species, with mulberry-like leaves and fig-like fruit. It is somewhat shorter than the mulberry tree, and its crown extends to cover an area between 18 and 24 meters in diameter. It is frequently planted along roadsides, and was appropriate for what Zacchaeus was up to. Sitting on one of the low branches he was in a position from which he could easily talk to Christ. 2. sukaminos (sukavmino”, 4807), appears in Luk 17:6, translated “sycamore” (RV, RVR, RVR77, VM, LBA). Besson translates “moral” and NVI: “mulberry”.¶ It is generally recognized as the black mulberry, with fruits similar to the black mulberry. The leaves are too tough for silkworms, and do not resemble those of the white mulberry. Neither type is the same as the “moral” of 2Sa 5:23,24, etc. (see VM). Haifa was known as Sicaminopolis, after the name of the tree.
Source: Vine New Testament Dictionary