³ tn Heb “for like the days of the tree [will be] the days of my people.”

¹ tn The suffix is singular, but must refer to the trees’ shade.

⁵ tn Heb “like a tree.” The words “one uproots” are supplied in the translation for clarity.

³ tn Now, in the second half of the verse, the metaphor of a tree with branches begins.

¹ tn The genitive after the construct is one of advantage—it is hope for the tree.

⁴ tn Heb “and he put up on it palm trees and chains.”

¹ tn Heb “and we will cut down trees from Lebanon according to all your need.”

³ tn Heb “and he hammered out the gold on the cherubim and the palm trees.”

² sn The city of date palm trees refers to Jericho. See Deut 34:3.

¹ sn The city of date palm trees refers to Jericho. See Deut 34:3.

¹ tn The disjunctive clause here indicates contrast: “but from the tree of the knowledge….”

¹ sn The imagery of v. 6 is romantic: (1) His mother originally conceived him with his father under the apple tree, (2) his mother gave birth to him under the apple tree, and (3) the Beloved had now awakened him to love under the same apple tree. The cycle of life and love had come around full circle under the apple tree. While his mother had awakened his eyes to life, the Beloved had awakened him to love. His parents had made love under the apple tree to conceive him in love, and now Solomon and his Beloved were making love under the same apple tree of love.

² tn The term אֱגוֹז (ʾegoz, “nut”) probably refers to the “walnut” or “walnut tree” (juglans regia) (DCH 1:116 s.v. אֱגוֹז). The singular form is used collectively here to refer to a grove of walnut trees.

¹ tn Or “with all the finest balsam trees.” The Hebrew term בֹּשֶׂם (bosem) can refer either to the balsam tree, the spice associated with it, or by extension any fragrant aroma used as perfuming oil or incense.

² sn The point is that like the tree the wicked man shows signs of life but produces nothing valuable. The olive tree will have blossoms in the years that it produces no olives, and so eventually drops the blossoms.

³ tn The Hebrew word translated “trees” is defined by HALOT 129 s.v. בָּכָא as “shrubs.” Some translate “balsam trees” (see BDB 113 s.v. בָּכָא), cf. NASB, NIV84, NRSV, NLT.

⁵ sn Olive oil from rock probably suggests olive trees growing on rocky ledges and yet doing so productively. See E. H. Merrill, Deuteronomy (NAC), 415; cf. TEV “their olive trees flourished in stony ground.”

² tn Grk “rotten.” The word σαπρός, modifying both “fruit” and “tree,” can also mean “diseased” (L&N 65.28).

¹ tn Grk “rotten.” The word σαπρός, modifying both “tree” and “fruit,” can also mean “diseased” (L&N 65.28).

⁶ tn Heb “Valley of Shittim.” The exact location of the Valley of Acacia Trees is uncertain. The Hebrew word שִׁטִּים (shittim) refers to a place where the acacia trees grow, which would be a very arid and dry place. The acacia tree can survive in such locations, whereas most other trees require more advantageous conditions. Joel’s point is that the stream that has been mentioned will proceed to the most dry and barren of locations in the vicinity of Jerusalem.