Sycamore
Natureâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
Sycamore designates two distinct botanical species: the sycamore fig (Ficus sycomorus), indigenous to the Middle East and North Africa, and the sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus), native to Europe and Western Asia.
What is the meaning of Sycamore in the Bible?
Sycamore designates two distinct botanical species: the sycamore fig (Ficus sycomorus), indigenous to the Middle East and North Africa, and the sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus), native to Europe and Western Asia.
SIGNIFICANCE
Distinguishing between these species clarifies the botanical context of biblical accounts, such as the tree Zacchaeus climbed and the material used for ancient construction, by aligning textual descriptions with the specific shade, fruit, and growth habits of the regionally relevant tree.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Sycamore in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Sycamore clarify?
Source Attribution & Provenance
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.