SHALT (shah). See THORNS AND THISTLES. SHAMED (sha'ked), (Heb. shaw-kade' wakeful), occurs in several passages of Scripture, and is generally acknowledged to mean the almond; as in Gen. where Jacob desires his sons to take into Egypt of the best fruits of the land almonds(shakedim), etc. In Exod. xxv :33, 34; xxxvii:19, bowls are directed to be made like unto almonds.
In Num. xvii :8, the rod of Aaron is described as having 'brought forth buds, and bloomed blos soms, and yielded almonds' (shakedim). The word occurs in the singular in Eccles. xii :5, and in Jer. i :it. The form of the almond would lead to its selection for ornamental carved work, inde pendently of its forming an esteemed esculent, as well as probably yielding a useful oil. In Eccles. xii :5. it is said : 'The almond tree shall flourish, and the fruit of the caper (AsIvoNAH, which see) droop, because man goeth to his long home.' This
evidently refers to the profuse flowering and white appearance of the almond tree when in full bloom, and before its leaves appear. It is hence adduced as illustrative of the hoary hairs of age, in the same way as the drooping of the fruit of the caper seems to refer to the hanging down of the head. There are two species of Amygdalus in Palestine; the common almond tree and the peach tree; both are in blossom in January in every part of Pales tine, on both sides of the Jordan. It was doubt less from this winter blossoming of the almond tree, not less than from the snowy whiteness of the blossoms, that the hoary head of the aged man is, by a beautiful metaphor, said in Scripture to flourish like the almond tree (Physic. Mist. of Palestine). (See AL MONO.) J. F. R.