The Symbolism of Palm Branches

A Palm Sunday Reflection

Phoenix in a Date Palm Tree: Mosaic from the Apse at St. Praxedes Basilica, Mid-9th Century, Rome

Introduction

Entering my office yesterday morning, I slipped into my usual Monday rhythm of sermon preparation. Prayer infused each step of my journey, guiding me as I settled into my desk and fired up my trusted Logos Bible Software. With each click and scroll, I delved deeper into the text, immersing myself in its original languages with a profound sense of reverence.

With Palm Sunday on the horizon, the onset of Holy Week loomed large in my thoughts. As I explored John's account of the Triumphal Entry in chapter 12, I stumbled upon something truly intriguing. What began as a simple inquiry into the significance of palm branches led me down an unexpected path of discovery, uncovering layers of meaning that left me awestruck.

As I embark on this journey of exploration, I must admit that I'm still processing and tracing out these insights in my mind. I've reached out to a few trusted friends and fellow pastors, all of whom have echoed my sentiments, finding the discoveries equally fascinating. With their encouragement and affirmation, I feel compelled to share these insights with you all.

Palm Branches as a Symbol of God’s Presence

So, let’s start where I began. I began with a question. What is the significance of the palm branches on Palm Sunday? Obviously, we know that the Triumphal Entry is the fulfillment of bible prophecy. But that doesn’t answer the question of why palm branches from the Date Palm in Jerusalem were chosen to greet Jesus.

To begin to answer this question, let’s start where all good stories start — at the beginning.

In Genesis 2:8-9, we encounter the genesis of trees beyond the famed Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Moses records:

"And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of the ground the Lord God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil." — Genesis 2:8-9 ESV

This passage from Genesis elucidates that God fashioned Eden in the east, where He placed the man He had created. From the earth, Yahweh caused every tree that delighted the eye and satisfied hunger to flourish. Within the Garden's confines in the land of Eden stood the tree of life and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. It is reasonable to infer that when Genesis 2:8-9 mentions "every tree," it encompasses the Palm Tree.

There are compelling textual grounds to support this notion. When God ordained Israel's liturgical festival cycle, the Feast of Booths reenacted God's Sabbath rest, symbolizing His dwelling in His Garden Temple on the seventh day of creation at a human scale. During this festival, which ran from Sabbath to Sabbath in the seventh month of the year (Lev. 23:39-40), Israel fashioned "booths" or "tabernacles" from Palm Trees, symbolizing their dwelling in a miniature Garden composed of Palm Trees and other verdant foliage.

Moreover, when Solomon erected the Temple, its walls bore engravings of Cherubim and Palm Trees (1 Kings 6:29-40). The Temple of God mirrored the Garden of Eden on a smaller scale. The priesthood paralleled Adam, and their progression through the outer courts of the Temple, into the Holy Place where the menorah-tree stood, and ultimately into the Holy of Holies once a year, mirrored a return to Eden, where God's presence resided, symbolized by His word, a budding tree-rod, and manna-food.

Collectively, these insights suggest not only the plausible existence of Palms in the land of Eden but also their symbolic association with God's imminent presence. This symbolic thread intertwines with another, forming a rich tapestry of meaning.

Palm Branches as a Symbol of Eternal Life

The Palm Tree shares a fascinating grammatical connection with the mythical creature known as the phoenix, intertwining with the concept of resurrection life.

Now, you might initially dismiss the notion of mythical creatures as mere fantasy, perhaps associating them with the realm of Harry Potter-esque fiction. However, the reality is surprisingly different. In John 12 and various other passages, the term for "Palm" is the Greek φοῖνιξ (phoinix), which serves as the root for the English word "phoenix." This linguistic bridge doesn't solely exist in modern storytelling but has deep roots in ancient biblical translations. Notably, the Greek Septuagint (LXX) translates φοῖνιξ (phoinix) as "phoenix" in several Old Testament passages.

For instance:

"The righteous shall flourish like the phoenix (φοῖνιξ — phoinix)." — Psalm 91:13 LXX

Furthermore, the Dictionary of Deities and Demons (DDD) highlights in its exploration of "Phoenix" how the Septuagint's interpretations echo in works such as Ambrose's De Trinitate and the Nag Hammadi Codex (NHC II 122:28-29). This interconnectedness underscores the rich symbolic tapestry surrounding the Palm Tree and its linguistic associations with themes of renewal and rebirth.

Delving deeper into the cultural context, we find that the linguistic connection between the Phoenix and the Date Palm emerges from ancient cosmic imagery and worldview. In the Ancient Near East, the myth of the Phoenix intertwines with the symbolism of the Palm Tree. According to this myth, found in Hesiod and others, when the Phoenix reached the age of 500, it would construct a nest atop a towering date palm tree, fashioning it from fragrant substances like frankincense, myrrh, and other fine spices and gums. The Phoenix would then sing a melodic tune before setting itself ablaze. From the ashes, an egg would emerge, which too would ignite, leading to the Phoenix's glorious resurrection. Following this ritual, the Phoenix would carry its bones to Heliopolis — the City of the Sun in Egypt — where they would be interred within the Temple of the Sun.

This symbolic ritual unfolded in a ceremonial manner within the funerary customs of Ancient Egypt. Date Palm wine held significance in ancient Egyptian mummification practices, serving as a cleansing agent for the deceased. Dates themselves were often placed in tombs as offerings to the gods. A notable example is found in the accounts of Ramses III, who reportedly presented 65,480 dates to the Temple of Ra, along with several thousand to the Temple of Hapi. The leaves of the Date Palm were revered as "the bouquet of life" and were incorporated into garlands discovered in the Tomb of King Tutankhamen.

Moreover, the Date Palm held profound associations with the sun-god Ra due to its towering, feathery leaves that mirrored the sun's radiance. Both the goddess Hathor and Nut were linked to the Date Palm, bearing the title "Lady of the Date Palm" and depicted rising from its branches to offer sustenance to the departed, thus bestowing eternal life bestowed by the gods.

Additionally, preserved Dates from the Date Palm have been unearthed in tombs across Ancient Egypt, further emphasizing the significance of this symbol in the realm of Egyptian burial customs and beliefs.

The Resurrection of Lazarus and Palm Sunday

Upon examining various elements together, we begin to uncover a profound understanding of why John meticulously structures his narrative of the Triumphal Entry. This exploration also illuminates the significance behind the choice of Date Palm leaves to herald the imminent arrival of the king.

When considered collectively, there's a compelling case to be made that John portrays Jesus as the true God-King who brings the paradisical, tabernacling presence of God among us. Not only does Jesus have the power to raise others from the ashes of dust, akin to a phoenix, but He also possesses the authority to raise Himself. I think these elements can be seen in the text when you read it closely:

"When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees (φοῖνιξ — phoinix) and went out to meet him, crying out, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!’ And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written,

‘Fear not, daughter of Zion;

behold, your king is coming,

sitting on a donkey’s colt!’

His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him. The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign. So the Pharisees said to one another, ‘You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.’" — John 12:9-19 ESV

It's intriguing how John attributes the cutting of palm leaves by the crowd to the resurrection of Lazarus, referring to it as "this sign." I see purpose in John's intertwining of the Date Palm (Phoenix) and the Resurrection of Lazarus. When considered within the historical backdrop of the Ancient Near East, it's difficult to overlook the thematic connections John draws, perhaps even engaging in polemics akin to Old Testament writers.

Conclusion

As we ponder these interconnected themes, it becomes apparent that there are even more layers to consider within the Jesus narrative. One intriguing connection lies in the process of crushing dates to produce wine, echoing elements of Jesus's own narrative. Similarly, the use of dates to create vinegar offers another potential link. Additionally, the symbolism of "the crown" atop the date palm holds significance, aligning symbolically with aspects of Jesus's crucifixion. Moreover, the association between palm branches and victory in Revelation 7:9 adds another dimension to our understanding.

As we reflect on these additional connections, we find ourselves drawn deeper into the richness of symbolism woven throughout biblical narratives and ancient mythologies. From the genesis of creation to Jesus's triumphal entry, each thread intertwines to reveal deeper truths and eternal realities.

In the mythos of the phoenix, we discover echoes of resurrection and renewal, mirrored in the raising of Lazarus and the triumphant arrival of Jesus into Jerusalem. The date palm, symbolizing life and vitality, intertwines with the phoenix myth, shedding light on the transformative power of Christ's resurrection.

As Palm Sunday approaches, let us not simply commemorate a historical event, but rather, let us enter into the timeless mystery of Christ's triumph over death. Just as dates are crushed in a winepress, Jesus was also crushed, shedding his blood for us. And like the phoenix rising from the ashes, Jesus ascends in glory, igniting the hearts of the saints who are citizens of God’s City with the fire of His Spirit.

Let us join the chorus of Hosannas, celebrating the God-King who brings life, renewal, and eternal hope to all who believe. May the symbolism of the phoenix-date palm awaken in us a renewed faith and a deeper understanding of the divine mysteries at work in our lives. As we journey through Holy Week, may we walk in the light of Christ's resurrection, ever mindful of His transformative power and eternal reign. Amen.