Goodly Trees

"Boughs of goodly trees" (Lev. 23:40) were among the four plant species specified for the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), along with palm branches, thick boughs of trees, and willows of the brook. The Hebrew phrase hadar (splendid, beautiful) was interpreted by the rabbis as referring to the citron or etrog (Citrus medica), a fragrant fruit still used in the traditional Sukkot ceremony. The four species together — etrog, palm, myrtle, and willow — are waved before the LORD in celebration of the harvest, symbolizing the joy and completeness of God's provision. The identification with citron is ancient but not certain from the text itself.