Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
A native of Syria and Palestine. In form, blossoms, and fruit it resembles the peach tree. Its blossoms are of a very pale pink colour, and appear before its leaves. Its Hebrew name, shaked, signifying “wakeful, hastening,” is given to it on account of its putting forth its blossoms so early, generally in February, and sometimes even in January. In Eccl. 12:5, it is referred to as illustrative, probably, of the haste with which old age comes. There are others, however, who still contend for the old interpretation here.
“The almond tree bears its blossoms in the midst of winter, on a naked, leafless stem, and these blossoms (reddish or flesh-coloured in the beginning) seem at the time of their fall exactly like white snow-flakes. for I will hasten [shaked] my word to perform it” the word is used as an emblem of promptitude. Jacob desired his sons (Gen. 43:11) to take with them into Egypt of the best fruits of the land, almonds, etc., as a present to Joseph, probably because this tree was not a native of Egypt. Aaron’s rod yielded almonds (Num. 17:8; Heb. 9:4).
Moses was directed to make certain parts of the candlestick for the ark of carved work “like unto almonds” (Ex. 25:33, 34). ” It is probable that luz denotes the wild almond, while shaked denotes the cultivated variety.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898) & Schaff's Bible Dictionary
AL'MOND (Amygdalus communis), a tree resembling the peach in size, leaf, flower, and fruit. The fruit is green, almost pulpless, and shrivels off in September, leaving the nuts, for which the tree is chiefly valued, and which the sons of Jacob carried down to the governor of Egypt, a country where almonds seem to have been rare. Gen 43:11. "Hazel," in Gen 30:37, probably denotes this tree. The bowls of the sacred candlestick were made like unto almonds, Ex 25:33, by which name of "almonds" English workmen to this day call the pieces of glass used to ornament branch candlesticks.
Aaron's rod that budded yielded this fruit. Num 17:8. In January, before flowers appear on other trees, they adorn the naked twigs of the almond. Hence the allusion of the poet: "The hope, in dreams of a happier hour. That alights on Misery's brow, Springs out of the silvery almond-flower. " The Hebrew name for this tree, doubtless suggested by its early blooming, means hasten, which explains Jer 1:11, Jer 1:12; "the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou ? And I said, I see a rod of an almond (hasten) tree.
" The allusion in Eccl 12:5 is by some thought to refer to the beautiful resemblance of the almond tree when in blossom to a hoary head. But as these Almond. (From Wm.