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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 recorded for this word yet.

Root Family

uncertain (Baleadan) — uncertain

Root uncertain nut tree, almond tree, almond
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1002 בִּירָה the citadel
H105 אֲגַרְטָל bowls of
H1081 בַּלְאֲדָן Baladan
H1085 בִּלְדַּד Bildad
H1095 בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּר Belteshatsar

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H3869-01 וְ/ל֣וּז veluz HC/Ncmsa and almond almond tree almond tree 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H3869-01 Genesis 30:37 וְ/ל֣וּז veluz HC/Ncmsa and almond almond tree almond tree
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