שִׁקְמָה

# Shiqmah: The Sycamore Tree in Biblical Text The Hebrew word *shiqmah* (שִׁקְמָה) designates a specific tree known in English as the sycamore. Based on its seven occurrences throughout the biblical text, this term represents a concrete botanical reference rather than a metaphorical or symbolic concept. The consistency of translation across these instances indicates that ancient Hebrew speakers had a precise botanical category in mind when employing this term. The relative rarity of *shiqmah* in scripture—appearing only seven times—suggests the sycamore occupied a modest but notable place in the material culture of ancient Israel. This limited frequency contrasts with more commonly referenced trees in biblical texts, indicating the sycamore was either regionally specific, economically distinctive, or culturally particular enough to warrant mention without being central to daily life or religious practice. The straightforward lexical definition provides no indication of symbolic weight or theological significance; the word functions simply as a natural object designation. Without access to the specific biblical passages where *shiqmah* appears, we can conclude only that the term maintained consistent botanical meaning throughout its biblical usage. Its presence in the Hebrew lexicon reflects the textual world's engagement with real vegetation and the practical distinction between different tree species known to ancient communities.