Almond

The almond tree (Prunus dulcis) is native to Syria and Palestine and is among the first trees to blossom in the year, flowering in January before its leaves appear. In Hebrew the almond is called shaqed, meaning the wakeful one — a name reflecting its early awakening from winter dormancy. This wordplay is exploited by Jeremiah, where God shows him an almond branch (shaqed) and declares, I am watching (shoqed) over my word to perform it (Jer. 1:11–12).

The almond held important symbolic significance in Israelite worship: the cups of the golden lampstand in the tabernacle were shaped like almond blossoms (Exod. 25:33). Aaron's rod that budded, blossomed, and bore almonds overnight as a sign of divinely chosen priesthood is among the most celebrated miracles of the wilderness period (Num. 17:8). In Ecclesiastes 12:5 the almond tree's white blossoms serve as a poetic image for the white hair of old age.