The pine appears in our translation three times, Neh. viii,
15; Isaiah xli, 19; lx, 13. Nehemiah, viii, 15, giving directions for
observing the feast of tabernacles, says, “Fetch olive branches, pine
branches, myrtle branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths.”
The Hebrew phrase שמן, means literally _“branches of oily_ or _gummy
plants_.” The LXX. say _cypress_. Scheuchzer says the Turks call the
cypress _zemin_. The author of Scripture Illustrated” says, I should
prefer the whole species called jasmin, on account of its verdure, its
fragrance, and its flowers, which are highly esteemed. The word _jasmin_
and _jasemin_ of the Turks, resembles strongly the _shemen_ of the
Hebrew original here. The Persians also name this plant _semen_ and
_simsyk_.” The authority, however, of the Septuagint must prevail. In
Isa. xli, 19; lx, 13, the Hebrew word is תדהר; a tree, says Parkhurst,
so called from the springiness or elasticity of its wood. Luther thought
it the elm, which is a lofty and spreading tree; and Dr. Stock renders
it the ash. After all, it may be thought advisable to retain the pine.
La Roche, describing, a valley near to Mount Lebanon, has this
observation: “_La continuelle verdure des pins et des chênes verds fait
toujours sa beauté_.” [The perpetual verdure of the pines and the live
oaks makes it ever beautiful.]
15; Isaiah xli, 19; lx, 13. Nehemiah, viii, 15, giving directions for
observing the feast of tabernacles, says, “Fetch olive branches, pine
branches, myrtle branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths.”
The Hebrew phrase שמן, means literally _“branches of oily_ or _gummy
plants_.” The LXX. say _cypress_. Scheuchzer says the Turks call the
cypress _zemin_. The author of Scripture Illustrated” says, I should
prefer the whole species called jasmin, on account of its verdure, its
fragrance, and its flowers, which are highly esteemed. The word _jasmin_
and _jasemin_ of the Turks, resembles strongly the _shemen_ of the
Hebrew original here. The Persians also name this plant _semen_ and
_simsyk_.” The authority, however, of the Septuagint must prevail. In
Isa. xli, 19; lx, 13, the Hebrew word is תדהר; a tree, says Parkhurst,
so called from the springiness or elasticity of its wood. Luther thought
it the elm, which is a lofty and spreading tree; and Dr. Stock renders
it the ash. After all, it may be thought advisable to retain the pine.
La Roche, describing, a valley near to Mount Lebanon, has this
observation: “_La continuelle verdure des pins et des chênes verds fait
toujours sa beauté_.” [The perpetual verdure of the pines and the live
oaks makes it ever beautiful.]