שָׁקֵד (sha.qed)
sha.qed
almond
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew word shaqed refers to the almond tree or its nuts. In the ancient Near East, this species was notable for blooming early in the season, often before other trees had leafed out. This characteristic makes it a fitting symbol for suddenness or watchfulness, as the blossoms appear when winter seems to still hold sway.
Its most famous appearance is in Jeremiah 1:11-12, where God shows Jeremiah an almond branch and asks if he sees it well. The divine reply plays on the word’s root meaning "to watch": just as the almond tree hastens to bloom, so too will God hasten to fulfill His word. This linguistic connection transforms a simple botanical reference into a declaration of divine reliability.
The term appears only three times in Scripture, including Genesis 43:11 and Ecclesiastes 12:5, where it likely serves as a metaphor for the whitening hair of old age or the fading vitality of life. Its rarity gives each occurrence weight, anchoring abstract concepts like vigilance or aging in a tangible, natural image familiar to its original audience.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word shaqed refers to the almond tree, a small but resilient plant known for blooming early in the season. In the ancient Near East, its sudden flowers signaled that winter was ending, bringing hope of new life when other trees remained bare. This natural characteristic gives the word a sense of watchfulness and promptness.
In Jeremiah 1:11-12, God uses this image to reassure the prophet. Just as the almond tree hastens to bloom, God hastens to fulfill His word. It is a reminder that divine promises are not delayed or forgotten, but are carried out with faithful speed. This connection between the tree and God’s reliability offers comfort when we wait for answers.
Elsewhere, such as in Ecclesiastes 12:5, the almond tree’s white blossoms symbolize the whitening hair of old age. It reminds us that life moves forward, but God remains constant throughout every season. Whether in youth or aging, His word stands firm.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ almond tree1×
- and/ almonds1×
- an almond tree1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שָׁקֵ֖ד1×
- וּ/שְׁקֵדִֽים\׃1×
- הַ/שָּׁקֵד֙1×
Key Verses
-
Jeremiah 1:11
Moreover Yahweh’s word came to me, saying, “Jeremiah, what do you see?” I said, “I see a branch of an almond tree.”
This verse introduces the almond branch as a visual sign from God to Jeremiah, setting up the pun on watchfulness and fulfillment.
-
Genesis 43:11
Their father, Israel, said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: Take from the choice fruits of the land in your bags, and carry down a present for the man, a little balm, a little honey, spices and myrrh, nuts, and almonds;
Here almonds are listed among valuable gifts, showing their practical worth in ancient trade rather than symbolic meaning.
-
Ecclesiastes 12:5
yes, they shall be afraid of heights, and terrors will be on the way; and the almond tree shall blossom, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail; because man goes to his everlasting home, and the mourners go about the streets;
The blossoming almond tree serves as a metaphor for the physical decline and aging of the human body.