The Four Species For Sukkot And Their Messianic Meaning | Arba’at HaMinim

🌿 The Four Species and Their Messianic Meaning

1️⃣ Etrog (אתרוג) — The Fruit of a Goodly Tree (Leviticus 23:40)

> “You shall take the fruit of goodly trees…” — Leviticus 23:40

Physical Symbol: The etrog (citron) — fragrant, beautiful, and whole.

Represents: The heart.

💛 Messianic Insight:

The Etrog symbolizes Yeshua Himself, the “fruit of the tree of life,” pure, fragrant, and without blemish. His heart was always turned toward the Father — full of compassion and mercy.

> “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” — Matthew 5:8

“Out of His heart shall flow rivers of living water.” — John 7:38

The Etrog is also both beautiful outside and fragrant inside — just as Yeshua’s inner holiness matched His outward deeds. He is the “perfect fruit” offered before God on our behalf.

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2️⃣ Lulav (לולב) — Palm Branch

> “...branches of palm trees…” — Leviticus 23:40

Physical Symbol: A tall, straight palm branch.

Represents: The spine — standing upright in faith and truth.

🌴 Messianic Insight:

The Lulav represents Yeshua’s righteousness and uprightness — His strength to stand when all others bowed. He is the Righteous Branch foretold by the prophets.

> “Behold, the days come, says the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper…” — Jeremiah 23:5

“I am the way, the truth, and the life.” — John 14:6

We too are called to stand upright in His truth — to hold our “spine” straight before the world’s pressures. As the Lulav is waved in every direction, it proclaims that Messiah reigns over all creation.

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3️⃣ Hadas (הדס) — Myrtle Branches

> “...and the boughs of thick trees…” — Leviticus 23:40

Physical Symbol: Myrtle — small, fragrant leaves growing in groups of three.

Represents: The eyes — spiritual vision.

🌸 Messianic Insight:

The Hadas reminds us of the anointed vision of Yeshua, who saw beyond appearances into the heart. His sight was not dimmed by sin; He saw with divine compassion and truth.

> “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor…” — Luke 4:18

“The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” — 1 Samuel 16:7

Through the Holy Spirit, we receive eyes to see — eyes of faith, mercy, and discernment.

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4️⃣ Aravah (ערבה) — Willows of the Brook

> “...and willows of the brook…” — Leviticus 23:40

Physical Symbol: Long willow branches, usually found by rivers.

Represents: The lips or mouth — prayer, praise, and intercession.

💧 Messianic Insight:

The Aravah grows beside living water — a picture of Yeshua, the Living Water (John 4:10). Willows drink deeply; they thirst continually — just as we must remain connected to the flow of the Ruach.

> “He that believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” — John 7:38

“My tongue shall speak of Your righteousness and of Your praise all the day long.” — Psalm 35:28

The willow reminds us to let our lips bring life — to pray without ceasing, to speak blessing, and to let our words align with the living water of Messiah.

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✨ Together — The Body of Messiah United

When we bind the Lulav (spine), Hadas (eyes), and Aravah (lips) together, and hold them with the Etrog (heart), we form a complete body — the Body of Messiah.

Each species has unique traits:

Some have fragrance but no taste (deeds without study),

Some have taste but no fragrance (knowledge without good deeds),

Some have neither (the simple),

And some have both (the righteous).

Yet God commands that they must be joined together — symbolizing unity among His people.

> “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” — Psalm 133:1

In the same way, the Spirit unites all believers — heart, strength, vision, and voice — into one holy offering before Adonai.

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🌍 Waving the Four Species: A Prophetic Act

When we wave the lulav and etrog to the east, south, west, north, up, and down, we declare:

God’s presence fills the heavens and the earth.

The Messiah reigns in every direction.

The Spirit moves upon all creation.

> “The whole earth is full of His glory.” — Isaiah 6:3

It’s a prophetic gesture of redemption — a shadow of the coming Kingdom when Yeshua will reign from Jerusalem and all nations will go up to celebrate the Feast of Sukkot (Zechariah 14:16).

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🌅 In Summary

Species Symbol Represents Messianic Meaning

Etrog Fruit of a goodly tree Heart Yeshua’s purity and inner beauty

Lulav Palm branch Spine Righteous strength and uprightness

Hadas Myrtle Eyes Spiritual vision through the Spirit

Aravah Willow Lips Prayer, praise, and living water

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In Yeshua, the four species come alive — heart, strength, sight, and speech all aligned in worship and unity before the Father.

> “You shall take them... and rejoice before the LORD your God seven days.” — Leviticus 23:40

“Rejoice and be glad, for great is your reward in heaven.” — Matthew 5:12