Zechariah's prophecies were told in symbols, one of which was the oak. There are as least six species of oak in the region around Israel. The Valonia Oak sheds its leaves each autumn. The leaves are nearly four inches in length and their shape is much like the Quercus robur found in Europe. The two trees grow to about the same height also and both are quite handsome. In the autumn the color is a sienna copper tone. The acorn is very large and too becomes reddish orange, its tan cup covered with long flat strips that look like suede. An insect attacks the bark and this causes swellings or galls that contain allic acid and tannin from which writing ink was made. A strong black dye is derived from the acorn cups. Swine were fed acorns and in Algeria and Greece the poor ate them. Bashan, meaning "rich and fruitful" is a rich hilly district. In the Bible it is celebrated for its fertile valleys, and for hills covered with forests of these Valonia oaks. The word Valonia comes from the Greek word meaning "acorn."
Zechariah 11:1 (KJV) Open thy doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour thy cedars.
Zechariah 11:2 (KJV) Howl, fir tree; for the cedar is fallen; because the mighty are spoiled: howl, O ye oaks of Bashan; for the forest of the vintage is come down.
Zechariah 11:3 (KJV) There is a voice of the howling of the shepherds; for their glory is spoiled: a voice of the roaring of young lions; for the pride of Jordan is spoiled.
You may email comments to angiewf@Bellsouth.net
Get your own Free home page