The term "City of Palm Trees" is a biblical designation that primarily refers to the ancient city of Jericho. This city holds significant historical and theological importance within the biblical narrative. Jericho is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world and is frequently mentioned in the Scriptures, particularly in the context of Israel's conquest of Canaan.

Biblical References:

1. Deuteronomy 34:3 · In the account of Moses viewing the Promised Land from Mount Nebo, the "City of Palm Trees" is mentioned as part of the land that God showed him: "the Negev and the region from the Valley of Jericho, the City of Palms, as far as Zoar" . This highlights Jericho's lush and fertile environment, characterized by its abundant palm trees.

2. Judges 1:16 · The Kenites, who were descendants of Moses' father-in-law, settled in the "City of Palms" after leaving the City of Palms with the people of Judah: "The descendants of the Kenite, Moses’ father-in-law, went up with the people of Judah from the City of Palms to the Wilderness of Judah in the Negev near Arad" . This passage underscores the city's role as a significant settlement during the period of the Judges.

3. Judges 3:13 · The city is again mentioned during the time of Ehud, when the Moabites, led by King Eglon, captured it: "Again the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD, so He gave Eglon king of Moab power over Israel. Gathering to himself the Ammonites and Amalekites, Eglon came and attacked Israel, taking possession of the City of Palms" . This event illustrates the city's strategic importance and its vulnerability to foreign powers.

4. 2 Chronicles 28:15 · The city is referenced in the context of the Northern Kingdom of Israel's interactions with Judah: "And the men who were designated by name rose up and took the captives, and from the spoil they clothed all who were naked. They gave them clothes and sandals, food and drink, and healing balm. They put all the weak on donkeys and brought them to their brothers at Jericho, the City of Palms. Then they returned to Samaria" . This passage reflects the city's role as a place of refuge and restoration.

Historical and Theological Significance:

Jericho, as the "City of Palm Trees," is emblematic of God's provision and the fulfillment of His promises. Its fertile land, nourished by the nearby spring of Elisha, made it a symbol of abundance and divine blessing. The city's conquest by Joshua (Joshua 6) is one of the most dramatic and faith-affirming events in the Old Testament, demonstrating God's power and faithfulness to His covenant people.

Theologically, Jericho represents both the challenges and the victories that the Israelites faced as they entered the Promised Land. It serves as a reminder of the necessity of obedience to God's commands and the consequences of disobedience, as seen in the account of Achan (Joshua 7).

In summary, the "City of Palm Trees" is a multifaceted symbol within the biblical narrative, representing both the physical beauty and strategic importance of Jericho, as well as the spiritual lessons derived from its history.City of Palm Trees

CITY OF PALM TREES

pam'-trez (`ir ha-temarim).

See JERICHO (Deuteronomy 34:3 Judges 1:16; Judges 3:13 2 Chronicles 28:15).

5899. ir hattemarim -- Ir-hat-Temarim, a place in Palestine -- the ...
... Ir-hat-Temarim, a place in Palestine -- the city of palm trees. Transliteration:
ir hattemarim Phonetic Spelling: (eer hat-tem-aw-reem') Short Definition: palm. ...
/hebrew/5899.htm - 6k

The Country of Jericho, and the Situation of the City.
... Hence the city is called, the "city of palm-trees," Deuteronomy 34:3, and Judges
1:16: where for that, which, in the Hebrew, is From the city of palm-trees ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 46 the country of.htm

Jericho Itself.
... more under the second Temple, so that it gave place to no city in Judea ... I. "They
ingrafted, or folded, together, palm-trees every day." Here is need of a long ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 47 jericho itself.htm

Bethany. Beth-Hene.
... Therefore, some part of Olivet was called Bethany from the palm-trees; there was
a ... till it reached the distance of a sabbath-day's journey only from the city. ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 41 bethany beth-hene.htm

The Entry into Jerusalem.
... coming to Jerusalem, took the branches of the palm trees, and went ... streets of Jerusalem
itself, and waving the palm branches, they moved towards the city. ...
/.../ii the entry into jerusalem.htm

How Vespasian Upon Hearing of Some Commotions in Gall, Made Haste ...
... behind was in a great measure destroyed; they also found the city desolate. ... which
water of Jordan is the occasion why those plantations of palm trees that are ...
/.../chapter 8 how vespasian upon.htm

A Rebuke against Extortion
... gave them to eat and to drink, and anointed them, and carried all the feeble of
them upon asses, and brought them to Jericho, the city of palm trees, to their ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 54 a rebuke against.htm

Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem.
... the palm trees, and went forth to meet him [Palm-trees were never abundant in Palestine,
but there were many around Jericho, through which city these Galilean ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cv jesus triumphal entry into.htm

Cii the Retreat
... Where first I left my glorious train [101] ; From whence the enlighten'd spirit
sees. That shady City of Palm-trees. But ah! my soul with too much stay. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/cii the retreat.htm

Now Herod and Philip Built Several Cities in Honor of Caesar. ...
... situate at the lake of Gennesareth, unto the dignity of a city, both by the ... in the
plain, and Arehelais, where is a great plantation of palm trees, and their ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 now herod and.htm

The Coast of the Asphaltites, the Essenes. En-Gedi.
... town Engadda, the next to Jerusalem for fruitfulness, and groves of palm-trees,
now another ... of the Kenite, Moses' father-in-law, went out of the city of palms ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 6 the coast of.htm

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