The slides for this podcast are in pdf format here.
The podcast outline with notes is here.
Correction!
In our podcast, I (Mike Day) cited Westermann’s Genesis 12-36 Continental Commentary. In the podcast I believe I quoted the following excerpt:
“The word Moreh as it is found in Gen. 12.6 is also interesting. It can mean “teacher,” and some scholars speculate that it is a reference to one who gives oracles. Claus Westermann writes, “To the terebinth of the oracle. מוֹרֶה Moreh can be in the genitive: tree of the oracle giver, where the priests who pronounced the oracles sat in ancient times.” He also suggests “the tree itself gives the oracle.” Later he adds, “Sacred trees with give omens or oracles are widespread among all peoples” and he later suggests that the tree in Genesis 12 is probably the same tree in Genesis 34.4, Deuteronomy 11.30, Joshua 24.24, and Judges 9.26, 37…” (Claus Westermann, Genesis 12-36: Continental Commentaries, Fortress Press, 1986, p. 153-154.)
My citation of Westermann’s commentary is exact. However, I believe his references to be off a bit.
Several listeners to the podcast have inquired about these verses.
I believe that some of the verses cited to be inaccurate. However, after further review, there are many places in scripture that bolster the argument relating to the tree, many of which that are near those cited by Westermann in his commentary on Genesis. I am also open to the idea that his text may be versified differently in some cases. I am uncertain of this, but leave open the possibility.
Here are other verses which justify the argument that the sacred tree is connected to the one in Genesis 12.6:
Genesis 28.18-22 (specifically verse 19):
וַיִּקְרָא אֶת־שֵֽׁם־הַמָּקוֹם הַהוּא בֵּֽית־אֵל וְאוּלָם לוּז שֵׁם־הָעִיר לָרִאשֹׁנָֽה
My translation of Gen. 28.19: “And he called the name of the place bêṯ-‘ēl (The House of EL), however LUZ (“Almond Tree” לוּז) was the name of that city at the beginning.”
So “LUZ” is the tree in this context, indeed, it can be viewed as an almond tree.
Genesis 35.8 – In this verse Deborah is buried under “the oak” – הָֽאַלּוֹן ha-‘allôn.
Joshua 24.26 – Here Joshua writes up in the book of the Torah, and sets up a stone under “the oak” – הָֽאַלָּה ha-‘allâ.
Judges 6.11, 19-20 – These verses portray an angel “under the oak” and seeing a vision. Similar stuff: “the oak” is portrayed הָֽאֵלָה ha-‘ēlâ.
Hopefully this helps and I apologize for the confusion.
-Mike