8247. shaqed

Lexical Summary

shaqed: Almond

Original Word: שָׁקֵד
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: shaqed
Pronunciation: shah-KAYD
Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-kade')
KJV: almond (tree)
NASB: almond tree, almonds
Word Origin: [from H8245 (שָׁקַד - watching)]

1. the almond (tree or nut
2. as being the earliest in bloom)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

almond tree

From shaqad; the almond (tree or nut; as being the earliest in bloom) -- almond (tree).

see HEBREW shaqad

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from shaqad
Definition
almond (tree)
NASB Translation
almond tree (2), almonds (2).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

שָׁקֵד noun [masculine] almond (-tree) (Late Hebrew id.; so called from its early waking out of winter's sleep, according to Ki Thes Lag^{BN 45} and others; Aramaic שִׁיגְדָּא, , , whence Ethiopic compare Nö^{M 39}; compare Löw^{No. 319}); —

1 almond, i.e. the nut, plural שְׁקֵדִים Genesis 43:11 (J; +בָּטְנִים, etc.), Numbers 17:23 (P).

2 almond-tree Jeremiah 1:11 and (probably) Ecclesiastes 12:5.

Topical Lexicon

Botanical and Natural Setting

The almond tree is one of the earliest to awaken after winter, often blooming while other trees still appear dormant. Its delicate white-pink blossoms emerge before the leaves, lighting hillsides in late January and February in the Levant. The swift transition from blossom to fruit makes it a natural emblem of vigilance and rapid fulfillment. The tree thrives on well-drained slopes and terraces, and its hard-shelled drupes provide both food and trade goods.

Scriptural Occurrences

• Genesis 43:11 reflects the almond’s status as a prized delicacy and export of Canaan: “Put some of the best products of the land in your bags … pistachios and almonds.” The nut is listed among “the best,” underscoring its value during famine in Egypt.
• Numbers 17:8 records a supernatural sign: “Aaron’s staff … had sprouted, put forth buds, blossomed, and produced almonds.” A dead staff bearing every stage of growth at once testified that the priesthood belonged to Aaron by divine choice.
• Ecclesiastes 12:5 uses the blossoming almond as a poetic metaphor for old age—hair turned white like its flowers—situating the tree within reflections on mortality and the approach of death.
• Jeremiah 1:11–12 plays on the Hebrew consonantal similarity between “almond” and “watching.” The prophet sees “a branch of an almond tree”; the LORD answers, “You have observed correctly, for I am watching over My word to accomplish it.” The tree that wakes first each year becomes an object lesson in the LORD’s ever-wakeful oversight of His promises.

Symbolic Themes

1. Vigilance and Divine Watchfulness: Just as the almond is first to rouse from winter’s sleep, so God’s oversight never slumbers (compare Psalm 121:4). Jeremiah’s vision marries agricultural reality to prophetic assurance.
2. Resurrection and New Life: The dead staff budding in Numbers 17 anticipates resurrection motifs—life from death, priestly mediation secured not by human lineage alone but by God’s sovereign act. Hebrews 7 draws on Aaronic imagery to contrast the perpetual priesthood of Jesus Christ.
3. Purity and Maturity: The white blossoms suggest purity, while the rapid development from bud to mature fruit illustrates the quick fulfillment of divine purposes.
4. Judgment and Reward: Aaron’s rod ended rebellion (Numbers 17:10), affirming faithful submission. Almond imagery therefore warns against resisting divinely appointed structure while promising blessing to those who accept it.

Historical and Cultural Notes

• Trade: Almonds traveled caravan routes to Egypt, Mesopotamia, and later the Mediterranean world. Their inclusion in Jacob’s gift indicates both portability and high market value.
• Diet and Medicine: Rich in oil and protein, almonds served as staple, confection, and oil source; ancient physicians prescribed them for digestive and respiratory ailments.
• Domestic Symbolism: Rabbis later saw the almond blossom’s brief beauty as a reminder to seize the day for righteousness before life’s brevity ends opportunity—echoing Ecclesiastes.

Prophetic and Messianic Connections

Aaron’s rod prefigures a priest who lives by the power of an indestructible life (Hebrews 7:16). The early-blooming almond becomes a visual prophecy of the firstfruits of resurrection, realized in Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:20). Jeremiah’s almond vision accents the certainty that every Messianic word shall come to pass in due season.

Ministry Applications

• Pastoral Assurance: Like the LORD “watching over” His word, shepherds watch over the flock entrusted to them (Acts 20:28), confident that divine promise will bring fruit.
• Discipleship: Believers are urged to “awake, O sleeper” (Ephesians 5:14), mirroring the almond’s early awakening. Spiritual vigilance guards doctrine and practice.
• Worship: The lampstand in the Tabernacle, shaped with almond blossoms (Exodus 25:33–34), reminds congregations that illumination arises from life laid down and raised up.

Devotional Insight

When winter of circumstance seems endless, the almond invites faith: God’s word will blossom precisely on His timetable. Just as the staff in the sanctuary testified day after day, Scripture continues to bear buds, blossoms, and fruit in the hearts of those who receive it.

Forms and Transliterations

הַשָּׁקֵד֙ השקד וּשְׁקֵדִֽים׃ ושקדים׃ שְׁקֵדִֽים׃ שָׁקֵ֖ד שקד שקדים׃ haš·šā·qêḏ hashshaKed haššāqêḏ šā·qêḏ šāqêḏ šə·qê·ḏîm šəqêḏîm shaKed shekeDim ū·šə·qê·ḏîm ūšəqêḏîm ushekeDim

Englishman's Concordance

Genesis 43:11
HEB: וָלֹ֔ט בָּטְנִ֖ים וּשְׁקֵדִֽים׃
NAS: and myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds.
KJV: and myrrh, nuts, and almonds:
INT: and myrrh pistachio and almonds

Numbers 17:8
HEB: צִ֔יץ וַיִּגְמֹ֖ל שְׁקֵדִֽים׃
NAS: and it bore ripe almonds.
KJV: blossoms, and yielded almonds.
INT: blossoms bore almonds

Ecclesiastes 12:5
HEB: בַּדֶּ֔רֶךְ וְיָנֵ֤אץ הַשָּׁקֵד֙ וְיִסְתַּבֵּ֣ל הֶֽחָגָ֔ב
NAS: on the road; the almond tree blossoms,
KJV: [shall be] in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish,
INT: the road shall flourish the almond drags the grasshopper

Jeremiah 1:11
HEB: וָאֹמַ֕ר מַקֵּ֥ל שָׁקֵ֖ד אֲנִ֥י רֹאֶֽה׃
NAS: I see a rod of an almond tree.
KJV: I see a rod of an almond tree.
INT: saying A rod of an almond I see

4 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 8247
4 Occurrences

haš·šā·qêḏ — 1 Occ.
šā·qêḏ — 1 Occ.
šə·qê·ḏîm — 1 Occ.
ū·šə·qê·ḏîm — 1 Occ.