The Cypress, in Hebrew BROSH, is one of the Biblical plants which scholars disagree about their botanical identity. Felix identifies it as Juniperus excelsa, while Lavie identifies it with cypress - C. Semprivens. It is referred to in the Song of Songs (I, xvii). It is translated as bratty in Greek (Pliny refers to it), and BERATA in Aramaic. (It is a very common linguistic phenomenon that a SH in Hebrew is replaced with a T in Aramaic). Like the cedar, it is a very tall tree growing in the Lebanon Mountains. In the Talmud, there is a discussion among the Rabbis about the various kinds and identities of shade trees, where they distinguish between the cedar (EREZ) and cypress (BROSH). (Rosh Hashana 23a). In most Biblical passages, the two trees are mentioned together and in parallel, making identification even more confusing! In Hosea, the tree is a symbol of freshness. It is impossible here to list all the Biblical references to this popular plant. It was known for its aromatic sap and strong odor.
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-Michel Vanhove
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