T'ENAH (rIn:P1) is universally translated fig and fig-tree in both ancient and modem versions, and, no doubt, correctly so. It has from the earliest times been a highly-esteemed fruit in the East ; and its present, as well as ancient Arabic name, is teen. The fig-tree, though now success fully cultivated in a great part of Europe, even as far north as the southern parts of England, is yet a native of the East, and probably of the Persian region, where it is most extensively cultivated.
The fig is first noticed in Gen. iii. 7, where Adam and Eve are described as sewing fig-leaves together, to make thomselves aprons. The common fig-leaf is not so well suited, from its lobed nature, for this purpose ; but the practice of sewing or pinning leaves together is very common in the East even in the present day, and baskets, dishes, and umbrellas are made of leaves so pinned or sewn together. The fig-tree is enumerated (Dent. viii. 8) as one of the valuable products of Palestine.
The spies, who were sent from the wilderness of Paran, brought back from the brook of Eshcol clusters of grapes, pomegranates, and figs. The fig-tree is referred to as one of the signs of pros perity (1 Kings iv. 25), and its failure is noted as a sign of affliction (Ps. cv. 33). The very frequent references which are made in the O. T. to the fig and other fniit trees, are in consequence of fruits forming a much more important article of diet in the warm and dry countries of the East than they can ever do in the cold and moist regions of the North. Figs are also used medicinally ; and we have a notice in 2 Kings xx. 7 of their employment as a poultice. The fig-tree is, moreover, men tioned in the N. T. by its Greek name aux'?" by all the Evangelists. The passages have been fully illustrated by the several commentators.—J. F. R.