Topical Encyclopedia
The poplar tree is mentioned in the Bible in the context of the natural world and its use in ancient practices. The Hebrew word often translated as "poplar" is "libneh," which some scholars suggest may refer to a white tree, possibly the white poplar (Populus alba) or a similar species. The poplar is noted for its tall, straight growth and its ability to thrive in moist environments, often found near water sources.
Biblical References:1.
Genesis 30:37-39 : "Then Jacob took fresh branches of poplar, almond, and plane trees, and peeled the bark, exposing the white inner wood of the branches. Then he set the peeled branches in the troughs in front of the flocks—where they came to drink. And the flocks bred in front of the branches, and they bore young that were streaked or speckled or spotted."
In this passage, Jacob uses poplar branches as part of a breeding strategy to increase his flocks. The act of peeling the bark to expose the white inner wood is significant, as it is believed to have been part of a visual stimulus for the animals during mating. This account highlights the poplar's role in an ancient practice of animal husbandry, reflecting the tree's presence in the everyday life of the patriarchs.
2.
Hosea 4:13 : "They sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn offerings on the hills, under oaks, poplars, and terebinths, where the shade is pleasant. So your daughters turn to prostitution and your daughters-in-law to adultery."
Here, the poplar is mentioned as one of the trees under which idolatrous practices took place. The reference to the pleasant shade of the poplar suggests its use as a place of gathering and worship, albeit in a context of apostasy and moral decline. This highlights the tree's cultural significance and its association with both natural beauty and spiritual waywardness.
Cultural and Symbolic Significance:In biblical times, trees like the poplar were integral to the landscape and daily life. They provided shade, wood, and a setting for various activities, both secular and religious. The poplar's ability to grow near water made it a symbol of fertility and life, which may have contributed to its use in rituals and symbolic acts.
The poplar's mention alongside other significant trees such as oaks and terebinths underscores its importance in the biblical narrative. These trees often served as landmarks and places of meeting, reflecting their role in the social and spiritual fabric of ancient Israel.
Theological Implications:From a theological perspective, the use of poplar branches by Jacob can be seen as an example of God's providence and the fulfillment of His promises. Despite the seemingly superstitious nature of the act, Jacob's success in breeding his flocks is ultimately attributed to divine favor.
Conversely, the association of poplars with idolatrous worship in Hosea serves as a warning against turning away from God. The pleasant shade of the poplar, while a natural blessing, becomes a setting for spiritual infidelity, illustrating the tension between God's creation and human misuse of it.
In summary, the poplar in the Bible is a multifaceted symbol, representing both the beauty and utility of God's creation and the potential for its misuse in human rebellion against divine authority.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
PoplarThis is the rendering of the Hebrew wordlibneh , which occurs in (Genesis 30:37) and Hose 4:13 Several authorities are in favor of the rendering of the Authorized Version and think that "white poplar" (Populus alba) is the tree denoted: others understand the "storax tree" (Styrax officinale , Linn.). Both poplars and storax or styrax trees are common in Palestine, and either would suit the passages where the Hebrew term occurs. Storax is mentioned in Ecclus. 24:15, together with other aromatic substances. TheStyrax officinale is a shrub from nine to twelve feet high, with ovate leaves, which are white underneath; the flowers are in racemes, and are white or cream-colored.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Hebrews libneh, "white", (
Genesis 30:37;
Hosea 4:13), in all probability the storax tree (Styrax officinalis) or white poplar, distinguished by its white blossoms and pale leaves. It is common in the Anti-Libanus. Other species of the poplar are found in Palestine, such as the white poplar (P. alba) of our own country, the black poplar (P. nigra), and the aspen (P. tremula). (see
WILLOW.)
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) Any tree of the genus Populus; also, the timber, which is soft, and capable of many uses.
2. (n.) The timber of the tulip tree; -- called also white poplar.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
POPLARpop'-lar (libhneh, "whiteness"; sturakinos, "storax" (Genesis 30:37), leuke, "poplar" (Hosea 4:13) (libhneh is so similar to the Arabic libna, the storax, that the latter certainly has the first claim to be the true translation)): "Jacob took him rods of fresh poplar," margin "storax tree" (Genesis 30:37). "They.... burn incense upon the hills, under oaks and poplars and terebinths, because the shadow thereof is good" (Hosea 4:13). In the latter reference the conjunction of the shrub, storax, with two great trees like the oak and terebinth-even though they all grow in the mountains-is strange. The storax cannot give a shade comparable with these trees. Had we other evidence of the storax being a sacred tree among the Hebrews, it might explain the difficulty.
The storax, Styrax officinalis (Natural Order Styraceae), is a very common shrub in Palestine which occasionally attains the height of 20 feet. The under surfaces of its oval leaves are covered with whitish hairs, and it has many beautiful pure-white flowers like orange blossoms-hence, its name "whiteness."
The poplar, the traditional translation inHosea 4:13, flourishes in many parts of Palestine. The white poplar, Populus alba, Arabic Haur, is common everywhere; Euphratica occurs especially in the Jordan valley; the black poplar, P. nigra, and the Lombardy poplar, P. pyramidalis-probably an importation-are both plentiful in the plain of Coele-Syria, around Damascus and along the river banks of Syria.
E. W. G. Masterman
Strong's Hebrew
3839. libneh --poplar...poplar. Transliteration: libneh Phonetic Spelling: (lib-neh') Short Definition:
poplar. Word Origin from laben Definition
poplar NASB Word Usage
poplar (2).
...6155. arab -- (a kind of tree) perhapspoplar, also a wadi in Moab
... (a kind of tree) perhapspoplar, also a wadi in Moab. Transliteration: arab or
arabah Phonetic Spelling: (aw-rawb') Short Definition: willows....
Library
The Germination of the Earth.
... The blackpoplar, the willow, the elm, the whitepoplar, all the trees of this family,
do not produce any apparent fruit; however, an attentive observer finds...
Let These Dealers in Crowns Then Recognize in the Meantime the...
... her two step-sons. Hercules displays upon his head sometimespoplar, sometimes
wild-olive, sometimes parsley. You have the tragedy...
All the Bells were Ringing the Angelus. ...
... in the light, looped and garlanded the time-honoured old city as with festal knots
of rosy ribbon, up to the trembling tops of the tallpoplar trees fringing...
Ode on the Installation of the Duke of Devonshire, Chancellor of...
... Granta greets them, gliding down On by park and spire and town; Humming mills and
golden meadows, Barred with elm andpoplar shadows; Giant groves, and learned...
Memories
... In Thee I have the springs, the rills,. The mignonette, the daffodils,. The Eglantine,
the harebell on the hills,. The tremblingpoplar, sighing low. And slow....
That Christ is the Hand and Arm of God.
... I will establish in the land of drought the cedar-tree and the box-tree, and the
myrtle and the cypress, and the elm [3953] and thepoplar, that they may see...
Visits Midway. Attends the Missouri State Convention. Reflections....
... In November I went toPoplar Plains and held the last protracted meeting of my life.
It was a pleasant one, and attended with some good results....
The Exercises Suited to a Good Life.
... Laertius, Plutarch. [1665] Genesis 30:37. Not "poplar," as in AV [See Abp.
Leighton on "Laban's lambs," Comm. on St. Peter, part...
A Strain of Sodom.
... Transformed his sisters. Let Eridanus. See to it, if onepoplar on his banks. 155
Whitens, or any bird dons plumage there. Whose note old age makes mellow! [1232...
On the Morning of Christ's Nativity
... The lonely mountains o'er, And the resounding shore, A voice of weeping heard, and
loud lament; From haunted spring and dale Edg'd withpoplar pale, The...
Thesaurus
Poplar (4 Occurrences)... Hebrews libneh, "white", (Genesis 30:37; Hosea 4:13), in all probability the storax
tree (Styrax officinalis) or white
poplar, distinguished by its white
...Mulberry (6 Occurrences)
... The tree here alluded to was probably the aspen or tremblingpoplar. "We
know with certainty that the blackpoplar, the aspen, and...
Almond (7 Occurrences)
... 2. A Rod of Almond: A rod of almond is referred to Genesis 30:37, where "Jacob took
him rods of freshpoplar, and of the almond (luz) and of the plane-tree...
Rod (138 Occurrences)
... Little distinction can be drawn between the Hebrew words used for "rod" and "staff."
Maqqel is the word used in Genesis 30:37; for the twigs ofpoplar put by...
Uncovering (13 Occurrences)
... Genesis 30:37 And Jacob took fresh rods of whitepoplar, almond-tree, and maple;
and peeled off white stripes in them, uncovering the white which was on the...
Green (72 Occurrences)
... Genesis 30:37 And Jacob took him rods of greenpoplar, and of the hazel and chestnut
tree; and pilled white streaks in them, and made the white appear which...
Willows (5 Occurrences)
... it cultivated there. Some are of opinion that the tree intended is the
tamarisk orpoplar. (2.) Hebrews tzaphtzaphah (Ezek. 17:5...
Inner (141 Occurrences)
... Genesis 30:37 Jacob took to himself rods of freshpoplar, almond, plane tree, peeled
white streaks in them, and made the white appear which was in the rods....
Fresh (41 Occurrences)
... Genesis 30:37 Jacob took to himself rods of freshpoplar, almond, plane tree, peeled
white streaks in them, and made the white appear which was in the rods....
Fresh-cut (1 Occurrence)
... Genesis 30:37 And Jacob took him rods of freshpoplar, and of the almond and of
the plane-tree; and peeled white streaks in them, making the white appear which...
Resources
Did Jacob placing branches in front of his flock really result in the offspring being speckled and spotted? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the “spirit of prostitution” in Hosea 4:12? | GotQuestions.orgPoplar: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
