Topical Encyclopedia
The term "plane" in the context of the Bible does not refer to modern aircraft but is associated with the natural world, particularly in reference to trees and landscapes. The plane tree, known for its broad leaves and sturdy trunk, is mentioned in the Bible and has historical significance in the regions described in the Scriptures.
Biblical References:1.
Genesis 30:37 : "Then Jacob took fresh branches of poplar, almond, and plane trees, and peeled the bark, exposing the white inner wood of the branches." In this passage, the plane tree is mentioned as part of Jacob's strategy to influence the breeding of Laban's flocks. The use of the plane tree here highlights its presence in the ancient Near East and its utility in agricultural practices.
2.
Ezekiel 31:8 : "The cedars in the garden of God could not rival it, nor could the pine trees equal its boughs. The plane trees were not like its branches; no tree in the garden of God could match its beauty." This verse uses the plane tree as a point of comparison to emphasize the grandeur and unmatched beauty of the Assyrian empire, symbolized by a majestic tree. The plane tree, known for its aesthetic appeal, serves as a metaphor for splendor and magnificence.
Cultural and Historical Context:The plane tree, often identified with the Platanus species, is native to the regions surrounding the Mediterranean and the Middle East. It is known for its resilience and ability to thrive in various climates, making it a common sight in the landscapes of biblical times. The tree's broad canopy provided shade and shelter, making it a valuable resource for people living in arid environments.
In ancient cultures, the plane tree was often associated with life and fertility due to its lush foliage and the cool shade it offered. It was sometimes planted near water sources, symbolizing prosperity and abundance. The tree's presence in biblical narratives underscores its importance in the daily lives of the people and its symbolic representation of beauty and vitality.
Symbolism and Interpretation:In biblical literature, trees often carry symbolic meanings, representing strength, endurance, and divine creation. The plane tree, with its robust structure and expansive branches, can be seen as a symbol of God's provision and the beauty of His creation. Its mention alongside other significant trees like the cedar and pine in
Ezekiel 31:8 highlights its esteemed status among the flora of the biblical world.
The use of the plane tree in Jacob's breeding strategy in
Genesis 30:37 also reflects the ingenuity and resourcefulness attributed to biblical figures, demonstrating a deep understanding of the natural world and its potential to influence human endeavors.
Conclusion:The plane tree, though not frequently mentioned in the Bible, holds a place of significance due to its practical uses and symbolic meanings. Its presence in the Scriptures serves as a reminder of the intricate relationship between humanity and the natural world, as well as the divine beauty inherent in God's creation.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Plane tree
Hebrews `armon (Genesis 30:37;Ezek. 31:8), rendered "chesnut" in the Authorized Version, but correctly "plane tree" in the Revised Version and the LXX. This tree is frequently found in Palestine, both on the coast and in the north. It usually sheds its outer bark, and hence its Hebrew name, which means "naked." (seeCHESTNUT.)
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) Any tree of the genus Platanus.
2. (a.) Without elevations or depressions; even; level; flat; lying in, or constituting, a plane; as, a plane surface.
3. (n.) A surface, real or imaginary, in which, if any two points are taken, the straight line which joins them lies wholly in that surface; or a surface, any section of which by a like surface is a straight line; a surface without curvature.
4. (n.) An ideal surface, conceived as coinciding with, or containing, some designated astronomical line, circle, or other curve; as, the plane of an orbit; the plane of the ecliptic, or of the equator.
5. (n.) A block or plate having a perfectly flat surface, used as a standard of flatness; a surface plate.
6. (n.) A tool for smoothing boards or other surfaces of wood, for forming moldings, etc. It consists of a smooth-soled stock, usually of wood, from the under side or face of which projects slightly the steel cutting edge of a chisel, called the iron, which inclines backward, with an aperture in front for the escape of shavings; as, the jack plane; the smoothing plane; the molding plane, etc.
7. (v.) To make smooth; to level; to pare off the inequalities of the surface of, as of a board or other piece of wood, by the use of a plane; as, to plane a plank.
8. (v.) To efface or remove.
9. (a.) Figuratively, to make plain or smooth.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
PLANE TREEplan'-tre ('armon; platanos (Genesis 30:37), elate ("pine" or "fir") (Ezekiel 31:8); the King James Version chestnut): `Armon is supposed to be derived from the root aram, meaning "to be bare" or "naked"; this is considered a suitable term for the plane, which sheds its bark annually. The chestnut of the King James Version is not an indigenous tree, but the plane (Planus orientalis) is one of the finest trees in Palestine, flourishing especially by water courses (compare Ecclesiasticus 24:14).
PLANE
plan (Isaiah 44:13).
SeeTOOLS.
Greek
4106.plane -- a wandering... 4105, 4106.
plane. 4107 .
... see GREEK planos. (
plane) -- 4 Occurrences. (planes) --
6 Occurrences. 4105, 4106.
plane. 4107 . Strong's Numbers.
5543. chrestos -- serviceable, good
... See 5544 (). On the spiritualplane, 5543 ("suitable, usefully kind")
describes what defines is -- and therefore also useful! "We...
2596. kata -- down, against, according to
... 2596 (a preposition, governing two grammatical cases) -- properly, "down from, ie
from a higher to a lowerplane, with special reference to the terminus (end...
3717. orthos -- straight, upright
... See Heb 12:13. ["In earlier Greek, meant 'straight up and down' while meant 'straight
on the horizontalplane' " (, p 703, fn 8).]. Word Origin a prim....
3361. me -- not, that...not, lest (used for qualified negation)
... 3361 ("not") negates the underlying () of a statement, ruling out its , ie
all that it suggests on a conceptual or hypotheticalplane....
3650. holos -- whole, complete
... parts. This factor is especially significant in metaphorical contexts or
those focusing on the spiritualplane. Word Origin a prim....
4133. plen -- yet, except
... yet, except. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: plen Phonetic Spelling: (plane)
Short Definition: however, nevertheless Definition: however, nevertheless...
1492. eido -- be aware, behold, consider, perceive
... you are saying.". 1492 (" that becomes ") then is a to grasp spiritual truth
(reality) from a physicalplane. 1492 () then is physical...
4105. planao -- to cause to wander, to wander
... Word Origin fromplane Definition to cause to wander, to wander NASB Word Usage
deceive (3), deceived (9), deceives (3), deceiving (2), go astray (1), gone...
Strong's Hebrew
6196. armon --plane tree... 6195, 6196. armon. 6197 .
plane tree. Transliteration: armon Phonetic
Spelling: (ar-mone') Short Definition: trees. Word Origin
...4741. maqtsuah -- a scraping tool
... Word Origin from qatsa Definition a scraping tool NASB Word Usage planes (1).plane.
From qatsa'; a scraper, ie A carving chisel --plane. see HEBREW qatsa'....
Library
Life on the HighestPlane
... LIFE on the HIGHESTPLANE. By RUTH PAXSON Now, all 3 volumes in one book.820
pages, #[USD]3.00#. [Illustration]. The three volumes, "THE...
The Naturalness of Prayer
... To begin with the naturalplane, our egoism constructs there a little world with
a definite teleology converging on self, one which would subdue everybody and...
The Meaning of Sin, and the Revelation of the True Self
... And now this same progressive revelation of God is continuing on the higher
plane into which it was uplifted at the Incarnation....
His Leading Ideas: the Nature of the Godhead in Itself
... infinite. He is not one Being among others, but in His ultimate nature dwells
on aplane where there is nothing whatever beside Himself....
Conclusion
... The Trinity (as was said) is Super- Essential or Supra-Personal. It is that Side
of the Godhead which is turned towards theplane of Creation....
Getting Even
... him. I saw the Christian on God'splane of holiness and truth. Far... even.
He is a liar and I am a liar"both on the sameplane. He...
March 23. "He is a New Creature" (ii. Cor. v. 17).
... The teaching of human philosophy is that we are to raise humanity to a higherplane....
It is a new creation. It is an infinite elevation above the highestplane....
The Relation of the Godhead to Creation
... Now since the Godhead thus pours Itself out on to theplane of Being (whichplane
itself exists through nothing but this outpouring), it follows that the...
Archelaus Said: those Sayings which are Put Forth by the Blessed...
... [1839] Inducias fortassis aliquas qu??rit. [1840] Reading "nonplane, non tam obscure,"
etc., instead of the "nonplane nota," etc., of the Codex Casinensis....
Marcion's Gnostic Pretensions Vain, for the True God is Neither...
... [2421] Agnitione. [2422]Plane. [2423] Non evagabor, ut dicam. [2424] Provocari....
[2431] Argumenta ="proofs.". [2432] Sin. [2433]Plane. [2434] Regul?? partibus....
Thesaurus
Plane (5 Occurrences)... Easton's Bible Dictionary
Plane tree.
... 31:8), rendered "chesnut" in the Authorized
Version, but correctly "
plane tree" in the Revised Version and the LXX.
...Plane-trees (1 Occurrence)
Plane-trees.Plane-tree,Plane-trees. Planets . Multi-Version
ConcordancePlane-trees (1 Occurrence). Ezekiel 31:8 The...
Plane-tree (3 Occurrences)
Plane-tree. Planes,Plane-tree.Plane-trees . Multi-Version
ConcordancePlane-tree (3 Occurrences). Genesis 30:37 And...
Level (31 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A horizontal line orplane; that is, a straight line or aplane which is
tangent to a true level at a given point and hence parallel to the horizon at...
Projection (3 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) The representation of something; delineation; plan; especially, the
representation of any object on a perspectiveplane, or such a delineation as would...
Trace (7 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) The intersection of aplane of projection, or an originalplane, with
a coordinateplane. 6. (n.) The ground plan of a work or works....
Elevation (7 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) The movement of the axis of a piece in a verticalplane; also, the angle
of elevation, that is, the angle between the axis of the piece and the line o...
Stock (16 Occurrences)
... 8. (n.) The block of wood or metal frame which constitutes the body of a
plane, and in which theplane iron is fitted; aplane stock....
Horizon (4 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Aplane passing through the eye of the spectator and at right angles to
the vertical at a given place; aplane tangent to the earth's surface at that...
Chestnut (2 Occurrences)
... 31:8; RV, "plane trees"). It is probably the Orientalplane tree (Platanus orientalis)
that is intended.... ches'-nut. SeePLANE TREE. Multi-Version Concordance...
Resources
Faith vs. belief'what is the difference? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about an out of body experience / astral projection? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the transmigration of souls? | GotQuestions.orgPlane: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
