easily destroyed by frost (Psalm 78:47), and therefore it is found mostly
in the “vale” (1 Kings 10:27; 2 Chronicles 1:15: in both passages the R.V.
has properly “lowland”), i.e., the “low country,” the shephelah, where the
climate is mild. Amos (7:14) refers to its fruit, which is of an inferior
character; so also probably Jeremiah (24:2). It is to be distinguished from
our sycamore (the Acer pseudo-platanus), which is a species of maple
often called a plane-tree.
- SYCHAR liar or drunkard (see Isaiah 28:1, 7), has been from the time of
the Crusaders usually identified with Sychem or Shechem (John 4:5). It
has now, however, as the result of recent explorations, been identified with
‘Askar, a small Samaritan town on the southern base of Ebal, about a mile
to the north of Jacob’s well. - SYCHEM See SHECHEM.
- SYENE opening (Ezekiel 29:10; 30:6), a town of Egypt, on the borders of
Ethiopia, now called Assouan, on the right bank of the Nile, notable for its
quarries of beautiful red granite called “syenite.” It was the frontier town
of Egypt in the south, as Migdol was in the north-east. - SYNAGOGUE (Gr. sunagoge, i.e., “an assembly”), found only once in
the Authorized Version of Psalm 74:8, where the margin of Revised
Version has “places of assembly,” which is probably correct; for while the
origin of synagogues is unknown, it may well be supposed that buildings
or tents for the accommodation of worshippers may have existed in the
land from an early time, and thus the system of synagogues would be
gradually developed.
Some, however, are of opinion that it was specially during the Babylonian
captivity that the system of synagogue worship, if not actually
introduced, was at least reorganized on a systematic plan (Ezekiel 8:1;
14:1). The exiles gathered together for the reading of the law and the
prophets as they had opportunity, and after their return synagogues were
established all over the land (Ezra 8:15; Nehemiah 8:2). In after years,
when the Jews were dispersed abroad, wherever they went they erected
synagogues and kept up the stated services of worship (Acts 9:20; 13:5;
17:1; 17:17; 18:4). The form and internal arrangements of the synagogue
would greatly depend on the wealth of the Jews who erected it, and on the
place where it was built. “Yet there are certain traditional pecularities
which have doubtless united together by a common resemblance the