H0815 H0815
tamarisk tree, likely a sacred tree marking shrines; planted by Abraham, sheltered Saul
A tree species (tamarisk) mentioned in contexts suggesting sacred significance. Abraham planted one at Beersheba, possibly marking a shrine. Saul held court under a tamarisk at Gibeah, and his bones were buried beneath one. The tamarisk, an evergreen shrub-tree with scale-like leaves, thrives in arid regions and was apparently valued as a landmark for sacred sites. The consistent botanical identification across languages (Spanish tamarisco, French tamarisk) confirms the species identification.
Senses
1. sense 1 — The tamarisk tree, appearing in narratives connected to worship or burial. Abraham plants one at Beersheba after making a covenant (Genesis 21:33); Saul dwells beneath the tamarisk at Gibeah 'on the height' (1 Samuel 22:6); and Saul's bones are interred under the tamarisk at Jabesh (1 Samuel 31:13). The tree's association with high places and burial suggests it marked sacred spaces. 3×
AR["أَثْلًا", "الأَثلةِ", "الأَثْلِ"]·ben["ইশেল-গাছের", "গাছ", "সেই-তেঁতুল-গাছের"]·DE["der-tamarisk", "der-tamarisk-Baum", "eine-Tamariske"]·EN["a-tamarisk", "the-tamarisk", "the-tamarisk-tree"]·FR["le-tamarisk", "le-tamarisk-arbre", "un-tamarisk"]·heb["אשל", "ה-אשל"]·HI["इमलि-के-पेद", "झअधि-के", "पेड़"]·ID["pohon-tamariska"]·IT["il-tamarisk", "il-tamarisk-albero", "un-tamarisk"]·jav["wit-tamariska"]·KO["그-에셀나무", "그-위성나무에서", "에셀나무를"]·PT["a-tamargueira", "tamargueira"]·RU["тамариск", "тамариском"]·ES["el-tamarisco", "tamarisco"]·SW["Abraham", "mti-wa-mkwaju"]·TR["-iğde-ağacının", "ılğın-ağacı", "ılğının"]·urd["جھاؤ-کے", "درخت-ایشل", "درخت-کے"]
Related Senses
H3808 1. simple negation (not) (4839×)G1722 1. locative: in, within (2442×)H1004b 1. house, dwelling, building (2015×)G3756 1. not (negation particle) (1635×)H4480a 1. source or separation (1198×)H5892b 1. city, town (1093×)G1519 1. direction: into, to, toward (1061×)H3427 1. Qal: to dwell, inhabit (937×)G1537 1. from, out of (source/origin) (886×)H8034 1. Name (designation / identifier) (856×)G3361 1. subjective negation (not) (834×)G1909 1. on, upon (spatial surface) (757×)H0369 1. existential negation: there is not (738×)H5869a 1. in the eyes/sight of (evaluative) (734×)H5650 1. Servant, attendant, subject (723×)H0408 1. prohibitive negation do-not (712×)G2443 1. so that, in order that (purpose/result) (665×)G0575 1. from (649×)G1223 1. through, by means of (582×)H3541 1. thus, so, in this manner (569×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
† אֵ֫שֶׁל n.m. tamarisk-tree (Arabic أَثْلٌ Sab. אתֿל Sab.Denkm.65 cf. DHMBS ii. 958; on an Aramaic אַתְלָא v. LöwNo. 38; cf. TristrFFP 250) planted by Abraham Gn 21:33 (J); in 1 S 22:6 Saul is dwelling בַּגִּבְעָה תַּחַת־הָאֵשֶׁל בָּרָמָה; 31:13 Saul and his sons are buried תַּחַת־הָא׳; it was perhaps a sacred tree, marking shrine.