ETZ-'ABOTH rP) occurs in Lev. xxiii.
40, and Neh. viii. 15, and in both passages is men tioned along with etz-shemen. These words occur also in Ezek. xx. 28, where, as well as in the other passages, they are translated thick trees. The word etz, used in several places in Scripture to designate a tree, is said to be derived from the verb otze, to fix,' to make steady.' The word 'aboth, according to Celsius (Ilierobot. i, p. 322), is by the Rabbins, as well as in the Chaldee and Syriac versions, understood to mean the myrtle. But Celsius himself follows the Septuagint, the Vulgate, and several other authorities, in consider ing the etz-'aboth to signify a shady tree, foliis et frondibus densa.' The shade of trees must always have been highly esteemed in eastern, or rather in warm climates. The planting of trees was early prac tised, as we have seen in the case of the eshel planted by Abraham at Beersheba, when he called on the name of the Lord. We know also that among the nations of antiquity, the planting of groves, and their consecration to their gods, were antecedent to the building of temples and altars, and were of almost universal adoption ; and that groves were the scenes of their idolatrous worship and licentious rites. Hence probably the Jews
were prohibited from planting trees around or near the altar of God. Shade and solitude seem always to have been considered as giving an air of mystery and devotion , to religious services. Seneca, as quoted by Dr. Carpenter, says, If you find a grove thick set with ancient oaks that have shot up to a vast height, the tallness of the wood, the retirement of the place, and the plea santness of the shade, immediately make you think it to be the residence of some god.' The prophet Hosea also gives the following description : They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains, and burn incense upon the hills, under oaks and poplars and elms, because the shadow thereof is good' (Hos. iv. 13). Hence in the above pas sages, it is more than probable that etz-'aboth has a general, and not a specific, signification. There is no proof of the myrtle being intended : in fact, it is not likely to have been found in any part of the wilderness, and no better material can be required for the construction of booths than the boughs of thick or shady trees.—J. F. R.