Almond branch or watcher?
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Personally, I have always found this passage to be very powerful imagery indeed.
The word sqr, shaked, an almond, is derived from the verb, sqr, shakad, to watch; and it has been thought that this tree is so called, because it brings forth fruit earlier than other trees; for almonds, as it is well known, flower even in winter, and in the coldest seasons.
Calvin has three ideas on this passage. Calvin's first idea, which is probably not from Calvin because its extremely well-known, is almond blossom is the first bloom of the new year. It occurs in the winter months, this being January to March. Therefore its imagery is 'ever watching', because its blossom is symbolic of the life of the tree and that is active from the start of the year. That would fit with the theme of the book of Jeremiah. In particular it fits with the next sentence ...
12 The Lord said to me, “You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled.”
Calvin's second idea in this theme is the almond tree fruits much earlier than other trees. Thats more difficult to square with Jeremiah who prophesied exile was inevitable (Jer 1:14) and return from exile would not be quick.
Calvin's key idea is the grammatical context, almond and watching are based on the same root word. Double word meaning were common with the major prophets, e.g. Isaiah's suffering servant (Jesus) was buried "with the rich and with the wicked in his death" (Isaiah 53:9). "Rich" at this time in Hebrew and "wicked" were considered comparable root words and emphasising the complete injustice of the fate of the suffering servant.
Generally, trees must have had major spiritual metaphoric meaning per se in the ancient world: tree of life, tree of good and evil (Genesis 2: 9), cedars of Lebanon symbolising strength and human power (Isaiah 2:13; 37:24), "sacred" oaks for pagan worship, probably Asherah (Isaiah 1:29) and of course the parable of the mustard seed growing into a mighty tree (Matthew 13:31-32).
For such a simple passage it resonates earthquaking power.
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Almond is correct. It is a reference to the menorah made of one-piece of pure gold with cups shaped like almond flowers, buds, blossoms. (Exo 25:33-34)
The menorah symbolizes a number of things.
Bud God the Father Blossom God the Son Cup God the Spirit
66 parts of 66 books of the bible
Lit the Holy Place, the Tent of Meeting
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105
To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. Isa 8:20
The bible is the lamp lit with oil (Son and Spirit).
So, what do you see Jeremiah? An almond branch.
Good, God will perform as He promised/spoke/prophesied.
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