Topical Encyclopedia
The term "broom" in the Bible typically refers to a desert shrub known for its resilience and utility in the arid regions of the Near East. The Hebrew word often translated as "broom" is "rotem," which is identified with the plant species
Retama raetam, commonly known as the white broom or juniper. This plant is notable for its ability to thrive in harsh, dry environments, making it a fitting symbol in biblical literature.
Biblical References:
1.1 Kings 19:4-5 : The broom tree is mentioned in the account of the prophet Elijah. After fleeing from Queen Jezebel, Elijah finds himself in the wilderness, where he sits under a broom tree and prays for death. "While he himself traveled on a day’s journey into the wilderness, he sat down under a broom tree and prayed that he might die. 'I have had enough, LORD,' he said. 'Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.' Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep." This passage highlights the broom tree as a place of refuge and rest, even in despair.
2.Job 30:3-4 : The broom tree is also mentioned in the context of desolation and poverty. "Gaunt from poverty and hunger, they gnawed the dry land, in the gloom of wasteland and desolation. They plucked mallow among the shrubs, and the roots of the broom tree were their food." Here, the broom tree is associated with the harshness of the wilderness and the struggle for survival, as its roots were used as a last resort for sustenance.
3.Psalm 120:4 : The broom tree is metaphorically linked to judgment and punishment. "Sharp arrows from the warrior, with burning coals of the broom tree!" In this verse, the coals of the broom tree are used to describe the intensity and severity of divine retribution. The wood of the broom tree was known for producing a hot, enduring fire, making it a powerful image of consuming judgment.
Cultural and Symbolic Significance:
In biblical times, the broom tree was valued not only for its practical uses but also for its symbolic meanings. Its ability to grow in desolate areas made it a symbol of endurance and survival. The plant's branches provided shade and shelter, while its roots could be used as a source of food in dire circumstances. The burning coals of the broom tree, known for their intense heat, were used metaphorically to convey the idea of purification and judgment.
The broom tree's presence in the Bible serves as a reminder of God's provision and care even in the most challenging circumstances. It illustrates themes of refuge, sustenance, and divine justice, reflecting the broader biblical narrative of God's interaction with His people in both mercy and judgment.Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (n.) A plant having twigs suitable for making brooms to sweep with when bound together; esp., the Cytisus scoparius of Western Europe, which is a low shrub with long, straight, green, angular branches, minute leaves, and large yellow flowers.2. (n.) An implement for sweeping floors, etc., commonly made of the panicles or tops of broom corn, bound together or attached to a long wooden handle; -- so called because originally made of the twigs of the broom.
3. (v. t.) See Bream.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BROOMbroom: Occurs in1 Kings 19:4 m ("broomtree");Job 30:4, andPsalm 120:4 m as the translation of the Hebrew rothem, where the King James Version employed "juniper" which is retained in the Revised Version (British and American) text in1 Kings 19:4 andJob 30:4. Juniper is certainly incorrect and broom is not a particularly happy rendering. The rothem was doubtless the shrub called by the Arabs ratam, a shrub which casts so little shadow that it would be used for shade only when there was no other refuge from the desert sun, and would be eaten only in case of the direst necessity, but which could be burned and used for the making of charcoal.
SeeJUNIPER.
David Foster Estes
Greek
4563. saroo -- to sweep... sweep. From a derivative of sairo (to brush off; akin to suro); meaning a
broom;
to sweep -- sweep. see GREEK suro. (saroi) -- 1 Occurrence.
...537. hapas -- all, the whole
... and 3956 , "each, every") -- (as a ), ie "" making up a . 537 () focuses on the
individual parts their totality and thus "sweeps with a widerbroom" than 3956...
Strong's Hebrew
4292. matate --broom, besom... 4291, 4292. matate. 4293 .
broom, besom. Transliteration: matate Phonetic
Spelling: (mat-at-ay') Short Definition:
broom. Word Origin
...7574. rethem --broom plant, retem
... 7573, 7574. rethem or rothem. 7575 .broom plant, retem. Transliteration: rethem
or rothem Phonetic Spelling: (reh'-them) Short Definition: tree....
Library
Chapter twenty-eight
... alley. He could almost touch it with hisbroom from where he stood.... steps. He
clutched hisbroom handle tightly and began to sweep again....
Diamond Became a Great Favourite with all the Men About the Mews....
... was sweeping. Some rough young imps had picked a quarrel with her, and
were now hauling at herbroom to get it away from her. But...
And as She Stood Looking Towards London, Diamond Saw that She was...
... She was dreadfully blown by the wind, and abroom she was trailing behind her was
very troublesome.... Diamond could run faster than she, and he had nobroom....
The Lost Silver Piece
... But she was not content with her candle, she fetched herbroom, she swept
the house. If she could not find the silver as things...
Book vii. On the Useful or the Ordinary
... Thebroom is the cure of superstition through one glory; in the gospel: and he,
entering, found it unoccupied, since it had been cleaned with abroom and made...
Diamond Said Nothing to his Mother About his Adventures. ...
... Coleman. But she had given one at the last crossing, and the hand returned
only to grasp itsbroom. Diamond could not bear it. He...
One Day when Old Diamond was Standing with his Nose in his Bag...
... And first of all he strolled with his hands in his pockets up to the crossing,
where the girl and herbroom were to be found in all weathers....
The Christian is to Walk Circumspectly.
... words of others. There is an old adage which says, "A newbroom sweeps clean."
The boy is eager to cut wood with the new ax. A child...
Scotch Song
... SCOTCH SONG. Oh, forth she went like a braw, braw bride To meet her winsome groom,
When she was aware of twa bonny birds Sat biggin' in thebroom....
If You Give a Grape to Him when Hungry...
... a mill-stone, ploughtail, or light hoe; a carved seat, a needle, a strigil, a laver,
an open seat, a ladle, a platter, a candlestick, a goblet, abroom, a cup...
Thesaurus
Broom (5 Occurrences)... 2. (n.) An implement for sweeping floors, etc., commonly made of the panicles or
tops of
broom corn, bound together or attached to a long wooden handle; -- so
...Broom-roots (1 Occurrence)
Broom-roots.Broom-plant,Broom-roots.Broom-tree . Multi-Version
ConcordanceBroom-roots (1 Occurrence). Job 30:4 Those cropping...
Broom-bush (2 Occurrences)
Broom-bush.Broom,Broom-bush.Broom-coals . Multi-Version Concordance
Broom-bush (2 Occurrences). 1 Kings 19:4 And he himself went...
Broom-plant (2 Occurrences)
Broom-plant.Broom-coals,Broom-plant.Broom-roots . Multi-Version
ConcordanceBroom-plant (2 Occurrences). 1 Kings 19:4 While he...
Broom-coals (1 Occurrence)
Broom-coals.Broom-bush,Broom-coals.Broom-plant . Multi-Version Concordance
Broom-coals (1 Occurrence). Psalms 120:4 Sharp arrows...
Broom-wood (1 Occurrence)
Broom-wood.Broom-tree,Broom-wood. Broth . Multi-Version
ConcordanceBroom-wood (1 Occurrence). Psalms 120:4 Sharp...
Broom-tree (2 Occurrences)
Broom-tree.Broom-roots,Broom-tree.Broom-wood . Multi-Version Concordance
Broom-tree (2 Occurrences). 1 Kings 19:4 But he himself...
Juniper (7 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary (Hebrews rothem), called by the Arabs retem, and
known as Spanishbroom; ranked under the genus genista....
Sweep (34 Occurrences)
... 1. (vi) To pass abroom across (a surface) so as to remove loose dirt, dust, etc.;
to brush, or rub over, with abroom for the purpose of cleaning; as, to...
Rithmah (2 Occurrences)
... Wildbroom, a station in the wilderness (Numbers 33:18, 19), the "broom valley,"
or "valley of broombushes," the place apparently of the original encampment of...
Resources
Why can't I stop sinning? Please help! | GotQuestions.orgHow can I overcome a crisis of faith? | GotQuestions.orgWho are the Shakers? | GotQuestions.orgBroom: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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