שִׁקְמָה (shiq.mah)
shiq.mah
sycamore
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun shiqmah refers to the sycamore fig tree, a common plant in the ancient Near East known for bearing small, edible fruit. Unlike the common fig tree (te'enah), the sycamore’s fruit grows close to the trunk and on older branches, which makes it easy to harvest by shaking the tree or using a long pole. This distinctive growth habit is why the text describes Zechariah, a tax collector in Luke 19:4, climbing the tree to see Jesus; he could reach the fruit-laden limbs without needing to scale high, twisting branches.
In the Hebrew Bible, the word appears six times, primarily in historical and poetic books such as 2 Chronicles, Psalms, and 1 Kings. Its presence often grounds a narrative in the everyday landscape of Israel, reminding readers that sacred events unfolded among ordinary trees and people. The sycamore was not just a source of food but also a symbol of accessibility, offering shade and sustenance to those who might otherwise be overlooked.
Translators typically render shiqmah as "sycamore" or "sycamore-fig," preserving the specific botanical reference rather than generalizing it to "tree." This precision helps modern readers visualize the scene more clearly, connecting the biblical text to the actual flora of the region. The word’s usage underscores how Scripture often uses familiar natural elements to illustrate spiritual truths, making the divine encounter tangible and real.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word shiqmah refers to the sycamore fig tree, a staple in the ancient landscape of Israel. Unlike tall, delicate trees, this species grew low and wide, with fruit ripening along its thick trunk. This made it accessible to everyone, including children and those of short stature, who could easily reach the harvest without climbing high branches.
In Amos 7:14, the prophet identifies himself as a farmer of these trees. This detail grounds his message in everyday labor. It shows that God’s call often comes through ordinary work and familiar places. The sycamore reminds us that divine encounters happen in the mundane, not just in temples.
For your faith, this word invites you to see the sacred in the simple. You do not need to seek distant or difficult paths to find God. He is present in the common rhythms of life, offering shade and sustenance to all who approach with honest hearts.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- like the/ sycamores3×
- sycamores1×
- and/ the/ sycamore-fig trees1×
- and/ sycamore-fig trees/ their1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- כַּ/שִּׁקְמִ֥ים3×
- שִׁקְמִֽים\׃1×
- וְ֝/שִׁקְמוֹתָ֗/ם1×
- וְ/הַ/שִּׁקְמִים֙1×
Key Verses
-
Amos 7:14
Then Amos answered Amaziah, “I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son, but I was a herdsman, and a farmer of sycamore figs;
This verse highlights Amos's humble background as a sycamore farmer, emphasizing that God calls ordinary workers to deliver His message.
-
I Kings 10:27
The king made silver as common as stones in Jerusalem, and cedars as common as the sycamore trees that are in the lowland.
The comparison of silver to sycamore trees illustrates the immense wealth and abundance of Solomon's reign by using a common local tree as a benchmark for value.
-
II Chronicles 9:27
The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and he made cedars to be as abundant as the sycamore trees that are in the lowland.
This passage mirrors the account in Kings, reinforcing how the sheer quantity of resources made even valuable timber seem as common as the widely available sycamore.