Bible Dictionaries
Palm Tree

　　PALM.—Palm trees, though frequently referred to in the OT, are mentioned in connexion with the life of Christ only once: viz. in the account of the triumphal entry into Jerusalem (John 12:13). The English name (Lat. palma) is due to the similarity of the leaves of some kinds to the open hand. The term in Greek (applied only to a genus) is τὰ βαΐα τῶν φοινίκων) by the people in honour Of the Messiah (John 12:13) was in accordance with the custom observed at feasts and on great public occasions. Jesus was saluted as a king proceeding to His coronation. The palms symbolized His triumph and the people’s joy. He allowed the homage of the multitude as the spontaneous expression of pure-minded loyalty. On the other hand, the Pharisees and officials regarded it as a challenge of their authority. The incident has been commemorated since the 5th cent. by the Greek and Latin Churches in the Palm Sunday (dominica palmarum, or feast of palm-leaves), immediately preceding Easter, at which palms are consecrated and a procession takes place.

　　The supreme expression of the palm as the symbol of triumphant homage is in the Apocalyptic vision, where the innumerable multitude who nave come through the great tribulation, and who serve God day and night, stand before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes and with palms in their hands (Revelation 7:9; Revelation 7:14).

　　Literature.—Artt. in Encyc. Brit.9 ; Historiœ Palmarum by Martius; Griffiths’ Palms of British East India is a volume of illustrations.

　　R. Scott.