לוּז
𐤋𐤅𐤆
lûwz
H3869 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Luz refers to a type of tree identified with a nut-bearing species, most commonly associated with the almond tree, but some suggest the hazel or another nut tree. In most contexts, it denotes the almond tree and, by extension, its fruit—the almond.
Semantic Range
almond tree, almond (nut), nut tree (general); rare possible reference to hazel
Root / Etymology
The term לוּז (lûz) is likely of foreign origin; its root is uncertain and it does not appear to correspond to a productive Hebrew root with an identifiable Semitic cognate. Some suggest a loanword from a Northwest Semitic language where words for 'almond' are similar, but this is not definitively established. Etymology uncertain.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, לוּז is found primarily in Genesis 30:37 and is commonly understood to refer to the almond tree, a species native to the Levant and valued for its edible seeds. Some historical translations, including the Septuagint and Vulgate, have rendered it as 'hazel,' but this is philologically questionable, as hazel trees are not native to the region, whereas almonds are indigenous. Medieval Jewish commentators (e.g., Rashi, Ibn Ezra) identify לוּז as the almond. The association with hazel is likely a result of translation tradition rather than botanical accuracy. The word also appears as a toponym for the city of Luz, distinct from its botanical sense (see Genesis 28:19, Joshua 18:13), but these are separately analyzed as proper nouns. English translations usually render the tree as 'almond,' but some interpretive tradition preserves 'hazel.'
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
probably of foreign origin; some kind of nuttree, perhaps the almond; hazel.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
לוז (l-w-z) — nut tree, almond tree, almond
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3868 | לוּז | the deviating one |
| H3870 | לוּז | in Luz |
| H3891 | לְזוּת | and deviating-perverseness of |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3869-01 |
וְ/ל֣וּז | veluz | HC/Ncmsa |
and almond | almond tree | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3869-01 |
Genesis 30:37 | וְ/ל֣וּז | veluz | HC/Ncmsa |
and almond | almond tree |