Out on a Limb -- A Look at Trees in the Bible Quiz

Answer: Day 3

Trees were created on the third day, the same day God created the land and the seas. Genesis 1:11, in the NIV Bible, states: "Then God said, 'Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.' And it was so."

Answer: Tree of life and tree of knowledge of good and evil

The tree of life and the tree of knowledge of good and evil were the two special trees created by God, Scripture states. As documented in Genesis 2:16, Adam and Eve were told they were free to eat from any tree in the garden -- with the exception of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

In the third chapter of Genesis, the serpent convinced Eve to eat from the tree and Adam did likewise. The rest, as they say, is history.

Answer: Absalom

Absalom truly died an unusual death. He was just one of many casualties when he led a revolt against his father, King David. The showdown between the armies loyal to David and those loyal to Absalom took place in the forest of Ephraim, as per 2 Samuel 18:6. According to verse 7, 20,000 men died in the bloody battle.

Incidentally, 2 Samuel 14:25 describes Absalom as the most handsome man in Israel. "From the top of his head to the sole of his foot there was no blemish in him," Scripture states in the NIV Bible.

Answer: planted by streams of water

The correct answer is "planted by streams of water." In the Middle East, with rainfall often being a scarce commodity, a tree growing by streams of water has a major advantage over trees that are not near water. In other words, Scripture is saying people who meditate on the Lord's laws day and night will flourish and prosper.

Answer: blessed

Blessed is the correct answer. Notes in the NIV Study Bible state the tree of life reference might very well allude to the tree of life in the Garden of Eden, as per Genesis 2:9.

Answer: Zacchaeus

Zacchaeus might have been short in stature, but he certainly measured up when it came to setting things right. In the NIV Bible, Zacchaeus is quoted as telling Jesus he will give half of his possessions to the poor, and if he has cheated anybody out of anything, he will pay back four times the amount. (Tax collectors were seen as being traitors, since they worked for the Romans, and as extremely dishonest.

They were accused of overcharging people on tax and keeping part of the proceeds for themselves before turning the money over to the Romans.) Incidentally, the sycamore-fig tree grows about 20 meters tall and six meters wide and its leaves resemble that of the mulberry tree. According to information on the web, wood from sycamore-fig trees was also used to create cases for mummies in Egypt.

Answer: mulberry

The correct answer is mulberry tree. I especially like how the promise of the power of faith is worded in Matthew 21: 21 of the NIV Bible: "Jesus replied, 'I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done." The statement is made after Jesus sees a fig tree by the road without any fruit on it.

He proclaimed "may you never bear fruit again," and the tree immediately withered.

Answer: False

Luke, the writer of Acts, does refer to Jesus being killed by hanging on a tree in Acts 5:30 and 13:29, however not in Acts 10:39 where he does use the word "cross". Notes in the NIV Study Bible give a possible explanation as to why Luke used the word 'tree' rather than 'cross.' The notes state: "Like its Hebrew counterpart, the Greek for this word could refer to a tree, a pole, a wooden beam or a similar object." The disciple Peter, when writing 1 Peter 24-25, also used the word tree in the NIV Bible: "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls."

Answer: James

The statement is found in the third chapter, the 12th verse of James. It's part of a section of the book that contains the subhead "Taming the Tongue". In the preceding verses, James makes a passionate case for Christians to have control of the tongue.

He writes about a small rudder steering a very large ship and a tiny spark igniting a forest fire. In the same way, he argues, the tongue can corrupt the whole person.

Answer: God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city.

Here's how Revelation sums things up in verse 18 and 19: "I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book." It's interesting to note the tree of life is mentioned in both Genesis and Revelation, the first and last books of the Bible. Notes in the NIV Study Bible state the tree of life signifies "giving life, without death, to those who eat its fruit."