TAMAR - DATE, DATE PALM TREE

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INTRODUCTION

Heavy was the oppression. Seeing all the tired faces of the farmers, little children, and women was enough to send fire down Barak’s veins. Enough was enough. Something had to be done. But how? So strong were the Canaanites; Barak feared their retaliation if they failed. People were already hard-pressed enough. 

But one judge knew their Canaanites would meet their end. Under a palm tree, Deborah sat and judged according to the sweet godly counsel she received. And it brought forth the sweetness of victory. 

The Hebrew word for a palm tree and its fruit is tamar. It represents prosperity, abundance, righteousness, peace, victory, and eternal life. 

THE HEBREW WORD TAMAR

The Hebrew word for date and date palm tree is Tamar (in plural, tmarim). The root of the word is unknown. (2)

DATES AND THE BIBLE

Dates are one of the seven special products of the Land of Israel. They are not explicitly mentioned in the Bible; the palm trees that produce dates, on the other hand, are. Palm trees represent prosperity, abundance, righteousness, and beauty. (3)

DATES - MORE THAN JUST A STAPLE

Dates played a key role in the diet of an ancient Israelite. They were either consumed fresh or dried. In some cases, they were used for creating date honey. The wood of the palm tree was used in construction and to make various tools and household items. (3)

DATES AND SYMBOLISM

Both the palm tree and its fruit represent victory, peace, and eternal life. Palm branches are used during Sukkot, and Yeshua was met with a group of people waving palm branches when first entering Jerusalem on a donkey as a sign of victory while shouting: “Hoshana!” They recognized Yeshua as the Messiah that He was. (3)

CONCLUSION

Dates are a vital staple food in the Middle East. They happen to be one of the seven characteristic products of the land of Israel. This sweet little delight was eaten either fresh, dried, or extracted into honey. The Hebrew word for a date and a date palm is tamar, plural tmari. Palm trees represent prosperity, abundance, righteousness, and beauty. Its wood was used in construction and the creation of various tools and household items. Symbolically, they represent victory, peace, and eternal life. When Yeshua entered Jerusalem on a donkey, people received Him by waving palm branches. 

Application

Let us receive our sweetness today. Abba, let your victory bring us peace as we pray. 

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SOURCES

1. Image was created via canva.com

2. Bible Hub. Tamar. Available at https://biblehub.com/hebrew/8558.htm 

3. Bible Hub. Dates. Available at https://biblehub.com/topical/d/dates.htm