Lexical Summary luz: Almond tree; a place name Original Word: לוּז Strong's Exhaustive Concordance hazel Probably of foreign origin; some kind of nut-tree, perhaps the almond -- hazel. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originprobably of foreign origin Definition almond tree, almond wood NASB Translation almond (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs I. לוּז noun [masculine] almond-tree, almond-wood (Late Hebrew id.; Aramaic לוּזָא, ![]() ![]() ![]() Topical Lexicon Botanical Identity לוּז designates a nut-bearing hardwood belonging to the almond–hazel family. The tree produces smooth, straight branches with a pale inner wood that contrasts sharply with its darker bark—an important detail for Jacob’s selective breeding technique. Biblical Occurrence Genesis 30:37: “Then Jacob took fresh branches of poplar, almond, and plane trees, peeled away the bark to expose the white inner wood, and placed the branches in the troughs, in the watering troughs where the livestock came to drink, so that they would breed in front of the branches.” Here “almond” translates לוּז, standing beside poplar (לִבְנֶה) and plane (עֶרְמֹן). Narrative Significance in Genesis 30 1. Means of Divine Provision: Jacob’s use of לוּז branches appears amid a broader narrative of God prospering him in Laban’s house. The quietly mentioned tree becomes a tool in the Lord’s providential care. Symbolic Thematics • Early Awakening: The almond is the first tree to blossom in the Levant, a quality linked elsewhere to vigilance (Jeremiah 1:11) and resurrection hope (Ecclesiastes 12:5). Though a different Hebrew word is used in those passages, the agricultural reality behind almonds remains consistent, allowing the Genesis account to echo themes of new beginnings for Jacob’s household. Historical and Cultural Background Ancient husbandry sometimes employed visual aids to influence mating, believing certain sights affected prenatal coloring. Almond wood, valued for durability and fuel, was readily available in northern Canaan and the upper Euphrates basin where Jacob sojourned. Ministry Application • Trusting Providence: Believers may exercise diligence and creativity, yet ultimate increase comes from God (1 Corinthians 3:7). Related Scriptures Numbers 17:8; Ecclesiastes 12:5; Jeremiah 1:11; Hebrews 4:12; 1 Corinthians 3:7; Mark 13:33. See Also Almond (שָׁקֵד), Poplar, Plane Tree, Jacob, Providence, Vigilance. Forms and Transliterations וְל֣וּז ולוז veLuz wə·lūz wəlūzLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 30:37 HEB: לִבְנֶ֛ה לַ֖ח וְל֣וּז וְעֶרְמ֑וֹן וַיְפַצֵּ֤ל NAS: of poplar and almond and plane trees, KJV: poplar, and of the hazel and chesnut tree; INT: of poplar fresh and almond and plane and peeled |