Sycamore: More properly sycomore (Heb. shikmoth and shikmim, Gr. sycomoros), a
tree which in its general character resembles the fig-tree, while its
leaves resemble those of the mulberry; hence it is called the
fig-mulberry (Ficus sycomorus). At Jericho, Zacchaeus climbed a
sycomore-tree to see Jesus as he passed by
(Luke 19:4) This tree was
easily destroyed by frost
(Psalms 78:47) and therefore it is found mostly
in the "vale"
(1 Kings 10:27; 2 Chronicles 1:15) in both passages the R.V. has
properly "lowland"), i.e., the "low country," the shephelah, where
the climate is mild. Amos
(Amos 7:14) refers to its fruit, which is of
an inferior character; so also probably Jeremiah
(Jeremiah 24:2) It is to
be distinguished from our sycamore (the Acer pseudo-platanus), which
is a species of maple often called a plane-tree.
