אֵ֫שֶׁל (e.shel)
e.shel
tamarisk
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun e.shel refers to the tamarisk tree, a hardy shrub or small tree well-suited to arid environments. In the Hebrew Bible, this plant appears in only three verses, making it a rare but specific detail in the narrative landscape. Its presence is not merely decorative; it anchors characters in the physical reality of the wilderness.
Most notably, Abraham plants an e.shel at Beersheba after digging a well (Genesis 21:33). This act serves as a marker of permanence and hospitality in a transient setting. Later, David stays under the shade of such a tree while fleeing Saul (1 Samuel 22:6), using its cover for rest and counsel. The tree’s resilience mirrors the endurance required by those living in harsh conditions.
Translators typically render this word simply as "tamarisk," preserving its botanical identity without adding symbolic interpretation. The text relies on the reader to recognize the significance of such a sturdy, water-seeking plant in a dry land. It stands as a quiet witness to survival and divine provision in places where life seems scarce.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The tamarisk is a survivor. It thrives where water is scarce, sending roots deep into dry earth to find what sustains life. When Abraham planted one at Beersheba, it was more than landscaping; it was a declaration that he intended to stay. In a landscape defined by movement and uncertainty, this tree marked a place of permanence and trust in God’s provision.
We often face seasons where our spiritual roots feel shallow or the environment feels hostile. The tamarisk reminds us that endurance is not about avoiding hardship but about adapting to it with resilience. Like David finding shade under its branches while fleeing danger, we too can find moments of rest and counsel in God’s presence, even when circumstances are turbulent.
This small tree teaches us that faithfulness often looks like quiet persistence. It does not demand attention but offers shelter. As you navigate your own dry places, remember that God provides stability where it seems least likely. His presence is the deep root that keeps us grounded when everything else feels unstable.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ tamarisk tree2×
- a tamarisk tree1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הָ/אֶ֤שֶׁל1×
- הָ/אֶ֖שֶׁל1×
- אֶ֖שֶׁל1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 21:33
Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there he called on the name of Yahweh, the Everlasting God.
Abraham plants this tree to mark a covenant location, showing how faith establishes permanence in transient times.
-
I Samuel 22:6
Saul heard that David was discovered, with the men who were with him. Now Saul was sitting in Gibeah, under the tamarisk tree in Ramah, with his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing around him.
Saul sits under its shade while plotting, illustrating how the same creation can serve both refuge and judgment depending on the heart.
-
I Samuel 31:13
They took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh, and fasted seven days.
The tree becomes a burial site for fallen warriors, highlighting its role as a witness to human mortality and honor.