The fruit, or “nut,” of English or Persian walnut.
THE FRUIT OF THE ENGLISH WALNUT (Juglans regia) is more popular than that of the black walnut (Juglans nigra) because it is much easier to crack. And like the wood of black walnut, English walnut wood is highly valued: it is one of the woods used in producing the beautiful damascene furniture in which mother-of-pearl is inlaid into the walnut. But the walnut referenced only once in the Bible is likely mentioned because of its fertility symbolism.
Bible scholars generally agree that the nut trees mentioned in Song of Songs 6:11 are the trees known as English walnut, or more precisely as Persian walnut (also Juglans regia), which are cultivated in many parts of the world. The center of origin of this species is not known, but it is widely grown in the Middle East, where the seeds of the fruits, the “nuts,” are frequent ingredients in pastries and candies. A unique delicacy in Syria is candied green walnut: in this sweet, the entire fruit is eaten, including the part that will become bony.
The walnut can grow to be a large, graceful tree. The dark green leaves and strong, thick trunk would tower over vines and shrubby pomegranates in the Middle East landscape. In ancient times, the walnut was a symbol of fertility. This image is consonant with the sensuous garden in Song of Songs: “My beloved has gone down to his garden, to the beds of balsam, to pasture his flock in the gardens and gather lilies” (Song of Songs 6:2, NASB), alluding to a garden of spices and lilies; and, “I went down to the orchard of nut trees to see the blossoms of the valley, to see whether the vine had budded or the pomegranates had bloomed” (Song of Songs 6:11, NASB), referring to a garden of nuts located in the valley and associated with grapes and pomegranates. Scripture speaks much of the grape (more than any other plant) and often of the pomegranate, but what does this mention of the walnut tell us? In line with the imagery of a sensuous garden, the walnut is appropriately positioned.
These developing walnuts are growing in a commercial walnut grove near Chico, California.