ALMOND, ALMOND TREE
In Hebrew, both the tree and the fruit have the same name (“shaqed”). It is derived from a root that means “to hasten”, and which is very consistent with its nature, because it is the first tree to bloom, as a precursor of spring.
This meaning is confirmed by the prophet Jeremiah (Jer. 1:11, 12). The prophet saw an almond tree, and the Lord said to him, “You have said well, for I hasten my word to do it.”
The bowls of the golden lampstand were to be made in the shape of almond blossoms (Ex. 25:33, 34; 37:19, 20). Aaron’s rod sprouted, and he bore flowers and almonds in one night (Num. 17:8), a beautiful type of the Lord Jesus’ coming out of his tomb, perfect for fulfilling his priestly functions.
In Ecclesiastes, where it seems that everything is deteriorating (Eccl. 12), instead of the translation “the almond tree will flourish”, it can be translated “the almond tree will be despised”; others say, “it will cause rejection”; others prefer
compare the almond tree to the graying hair of an old man rushing to the grave.