Question for Jehovah’s witness’s?

Question

At Jeremiah 1.11
Jehovah shows Jeremiah an off-shoot of an almond tree.

Why an offshoot
Why bother about a offshoot
Why not just a normal standard almond tree?

If you rely know the truth you should be able to answer this one very easily.

Answer 1

i like almonds!!

Answer 2

An offshoot implies new growth. The theme of those verses is an awakening, and new growth would give visible evidence of the tree's "awakening".

It would also have reminded Jeremiah that Jehovah had used a flowering offshoot (of almond, incidentally) to identify Aaron as Jehovah's appointed agent (as high priest to Israel). Jeremiah was also to be an agent of Jehovah.

See Numbers 16:1-3,10;17:1-10;Hebrews 9:4.


Interestingly, Jeremiah 1:11 uses a Hebrew term for a living "offshoot" of a tree which can also be applied to a harvested wooden staff or stave such as was used for shepherding or fighting. See 1 Samuel 17:40, 43.

It is vaguely comparable to the Greek term "xylon", which can mean a living branch (although "dendron" was more commonly used for a living tree). But the Greek term "xylon" generally meant a dead branch apart from the tree, such as would be crafted into the wooden xylophone (no coincidence in the name). In fact, "xylon" is plainly used to refer to a fighting club or staff (See Matthew 26:47,55; Mark 14:43, 48; Luke 22:52). The same term "xylon" is also used to refer to the stake upon which Christ Jesus was impaled (See Acts 5:30, Acts 10:39, Acts 13:29, Galatians 3:13 and 1 Peter 2:24).

That's one of the reasons Jehovah's Witnesses believe it probable that Jesus was impaled on a simple stake rather than an engineered cross device of two intersecting beams.

Answer 3

We do the wise thing if we imitate Jehovah himself. To illustrate his own wakefulness he caused Jeremiah to see in vision the “offshoot of an almond tree.” Jeremiah knew that the word for “almond tree” (shaqéd in Hebrew) means “one awakening.” This tree is the first one to awake in the spring of the year by its blossoming. Jehovah was like the “offshoot of an almond tree” in his own awakening to the season into which the nations and kingdoms were entering. His prophetic Word applies at a certain time, and at that time he will carry it out. His word will never fail owing to any inattentiveness on his part. In other words, Jehovah God is “keeping awake” concerning his promises in order to carry them out.

Answer 4

Taken from Awake 2001:

IN LATE January or early February, many of the terraced hillsides of Israel are dramatically transformed. Awakening from their winter sleep, almond trees burst into bloom. Since it is one of the earliest trees to do so, the almond usually has the stage to itself. Its white and pink blossoms grace the wintry countryside, reminding us of Solomon’s words at Ecclesiastes 12:5. There he compares the white hair of old age to ‘the almond tree that carries blossoms.’

In view of the almond’s precocious bloom, the Hebrew word for almond appropriately has the literal meaning “awakening one.” It has thus been used in the Bible in a number of powerful illustrations. For example, the prophet Jeremiah saw in vision an offshoot, or branch, of an almond tree. What did it represent? “I am keeping awake concerning my word in order to carry it out,” Jehovah told him. (Jeremiah 1:11, 12) Of course, Jehovah never tires out, nor does he sleep. But his words emphasized his desire to finish his work.—Isaiah 40:28.

Centuries before Jeremiah’s day, a flowering almond rod was used to identify the one whom Jehovah had appointed as high priest. A rod for each one of the 12 tribes of Israel was deposited before Jehovah in the tent of meeting. The following morning Aaron’s almond rod had not only flowered miraculously but also produced ripe almonds! This almond rod was kept inside the ark of the covenant for a while as a sign to the nation that they should never again murmur against Jehovah’s appointed representatives.—Numbers 16:1-3, 10; 17:1-10; Hebrews 9:4.

Jehovah desired that representations of the almond’s beautiful blooms embellish the seven-branched golden lampstand that illuminated the Holy Place of the tabernacle. According to the description that Moses recorded, “three cups shaped like flowers of almond were on the one set of branches, with knobs and blossoms alternating; and three cups shaped like flowers of almond were on the other set of branches, with knobs and blossoms alternating. That is the way it was for the six branches running out from the lampstand. And on the lampstand there were four cups shaped like flowers of almond, with its knobs and its blossoms alternating.”—Exodus 37:19, 20.

Although the Bible makes few references to the almond tree, it does draw our attention to its beautiful white blossoms and its early awakening. This attractive tree reminds us, above all, that Jehovah will not rest until he has accomplished his purpose.—Isaiah 55:11.

Answer 5

My scriptures refer to it as a branch. It would be a funny tree that had no branches. The Almighty YHVH set up a system. He sent His “Son” YAHOSHUA to die for the sins of mankind so they would not have to. (They could choose to, but did not have to). Any person who chooses not to allow Yahoshua to take care of their sins, chooses to remain attached to their sins. They thus will wind up in the lake of fire which is YHVH’s method of cleaning this world, and eliminating sin and sinners. The Creator set aside the Seventh day for rest and worship. Yes that is the day usually called “Saturday”. We are not saved by obedience, we are saved by faith. However we are saved FOR obedience. As He said in John 14:15 (and in many other places) “If you love me, keep my commandments.