Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
) ‘El occurs only in the word El-paran (Gen. 14:6). The LXX. V. marg. , “among the oaks”); 61:3 (“trees”). The word properly means strongly, mighty, and hence a strong tree. V. , “terebinth”). V. V. , “terebinth”). , following the Targum, “plain”) properly the deciduous species of oak shedding its foliage in autumn. ) ‘Elan, only in Dan. 4:11, 14, 20, rendered “tree” in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. Probably some species of the oak is intended. ) ‘Allah, Josh. 24:26. ) in Gen. 12:6 and 35:4. ” Probably the evergreen oak (called also ilex and holm oak) is intended.
The oak woods of Bashan are frequently alluded to (Isa. 2:13; Ezek. 27:6). Three species of oaks are found in Palestine, of which the “prickly evergreen oak” (Quercus coccifera) is the most abundant. ” The so-called Abraham’s oak at Hebron is of this species. Tristram says that this oak near Hebron “has for several centuries taken the place of the once renowned terebinth which marked the site of Mamre on the other side of the city. The terebinth existed at Mamre in the time of Vespasian, and under it the captive Jews were sold as slaves.
D. 330, and no tree now marks the grove of Mamre.
Smith's Bible Dictionary (1863)
(Heb. strong). There is much difficulty in determining the exact meanings of the several varieties of the term mentioned above. Sometimes, evidently, the terebinth or elm is intended and at others the oak. There are a number of varieties of oak in Palestine. (Dr. Robinson contends that the oak is generally intended, and that it is a very common tree in the East. ) Two oaks, Quercus pseudo-coccifera and Q. aegilops, are well worthy of the name of mighty trees; though it is equally true that over a greater part of the country the oaks of Palestine are at present merely bushes.