Shittah-Tree
NatureWhat is the meaning of Shittah-Tree in the Bible?
The shittah-tree refers to the Acacia nilotica, a drought-resistant species native to the arid regions of the Near East, valued in antiquity for its exceptionally hard and durable wood.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the shittah-tree clarifies why specific materials were selected for the Tabernacle and its furnishings, illustrating how ancient Israelites utilized locally available, resilient resources to construct sacred objects suited to the desert environment.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Physical & Symbolic Reality: Physical objects and natural elements like Shittah-Tree were everyday realities for biblical writers, frequently used as living metaphors for spiritual truths.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Shittah-Tree in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Shittah-Tree clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Shittah-Tree." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/shittahtree/