HEBREW WORD STUDY: ALMOND (TREE) שָׁקֵד shaqed

Jeremiah 1:11-12 And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “What do you see, Jeremiah?” And I said, “I see a branch of an almond tree.”Then the LORD said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over My word to perform it.”

The word of the Lord came to me saying “What do you see Jeremiah?” And I said I see a rod of an Almond “saqed”  שָׁקֵד tree.  Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching “soqed” שָׁקַד, over my word to perform it. Both the word for Almond, and the word for watching, come from the same root word-  שׁקד

Here is the Remez (Hint to go deeper): Why did God use an Almond tree to show that  His word will come to pass?

In these verses, we have what is called a “Play on Words” which is something very prevalent in scripture, though often only seen in the Hebrew. One of its purposes is to give greater insight and intention behind the Author’s words. We have in verse 11 “saqed” which means “almond” and verse 12 “soqed” which means an “intense watching over”.  So why did God choose an almond tree to show how His Word will come to pass?

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In Israel, the Almond tree is one of the earliest to bloom and actually blossoms in late winter. The process from the branch growing and ready to yield fruit takes two years but from this point, literally overnight,  a beautiful white flower appears. In fact, it happens so quickly sometimes the blossoms will form even before its leaves grow. After a long wait the tree SUDDENLY blossoms. How many are waiting for their “suddenly”, and their ” breakthrough”?  I’m one who is, and a few years back when the Lord gave me this verse I asked for a confirmation that He really was watching over His Word concerning specifics in my life.  I asked Jesus to please wake me up at 1:11 am, and since I always sleep through the night, I knew if it happened it would be God confirming this promise. Well, that night I woke up out of a deep sleep and turned over to watch the clock turn exactly 1:11! I share this for everyone who is waiting for their fulfillment of a Word given by God. He is diligently watching over His word to you, making sure to fulfill it.

This tree is a picture of strength and endurance because though this flower looks fragile and delicate, it can withstand harsh winter winds and rain, James 1:2-4 Consider it all a joy, my brethren when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance, and let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

The almond tree blossom heralds the soon arrival of spring. In the Spirit, many find ourselves toward the end of a very long winter. Well, hold on because (spiritual) spring is coming and your sudden breakthrough of God’s word is about to blossom and its bear fruit.

~ LAURA~

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