this insect is extinct in Egypt, Zohay and Hopf have no doubt that Egypt was "the principal area of sycamore fig development." Some of the caskets of mummies in Egypt are made from the wood of this tree. In tropical areas where the wasp is common, complex mini-ecosystems involving the wasp, nematodes, other parasitic wasps, and various larger predators revolve around the life cycle of the fig. The trees' random production of fruit in such environments assures its constant attendance by the insects and animals which form this ecosystem. A study in 2015 indicated that the sycamore tree was brought to Israel by Philistines during the Iron Age, along with opium poppy and cumin. These sycamore trees used to be numerous in western Beirut, lending their name to the neighborhood of Gemmayzeh (( ), "sycamore fig"). However, the trees have largely disappeared from this area. Gardens In the Near East F. sycomorus is an orchard and ornamental tree of great importance and extensive use. It has wide-spreading branches and affords shade. In religion Judaism and Christianity In the Bible, the sycomore is referred to seven times in the Old Testament (Hebrew ; Strong's number 8256) and once in the New Testament ( or ; Strong's number 4809). The sycomore was a popular and valuable fruit tree in Jericho and Canaan. Hebrew Bible In the Psalms, sycomores are listed with vines as sources of food destroyed in the plagues inflicted on the Egyptians. This verse implies that Ficus sycomorus could not survive in the mountainous regions of Egypt ("He destroyed their vines with hail, and their sycomore trees with frost." Ps 78:47). King David appointed an officer to look after the olives and sycomores of the western foothills. King Solomon made cedars (a more valuable tree) as common as sycomores. = , In condemning his people's arrogance the prophet Isaiah also makes a contrast between sycomores and cedars. The prophet Amos refers to his secondary occupation as a dresser or tender of sycomores ; this involved slashing the fruits to induce ripening. Gospels In the Gospel of Luke, Zacchaeus resorted to climbing a sycomore in order to get a better view of Jesus in Jericho. Mishnah and Gemara (Talmud) In the Mishnah, in chapter 9 of tractate Shevi'it of order Zera'im, the borders of the various districts of the Land of Israel are delineated. The Upper Galilee is defined as the