Illustrated Dictionary of the Bible
Darnel: (see Tares).
Date Palm: (see Palm).
Dove Droppings/Dove Dung: A bulbous plant which was edible after being boiled or roasted. Dove's dung was mentioned as food eaten during the siege of Samaria (II Ki. 6:25). Some believe this was excrement from pigeons and doves, while others interpret it as an edible plant (seed pods, NIV; locust-beans, NEB).
Dove dung was also referred to as the Star of Bethlehem. Syrians are known to have used this plant as food. Also see Locust.
Ebony: A large tree which produces edible fruits similar to the persimmon. The hard, black wood from the inner portion of the tree is quite valuable and is used for fine furniture. It is also known to have been inlaid with ivory. Idols were sometimes carved from ebony wood.
Elm: (See Terabinth).
Fig: A fruit-producing plant which could be either a tall tree or a low-spreading shrub. The size of the tree depended on its location and soil. The blooms of the fig tree always appear before the leaves in spring. When Jesus saw leaves on a fig tree, He expected the fruit (Mark 11:12-14,20-21). There were usually two crops of figs a year.
Figs were eaten fresh (II Kings 18:31), pressed into cakes (I Sam. 25:18), and used as a poultice (Is. 38:21). Jeremiah used the fig tree as a symbol of desolation (Jer. 8:13). It also signified security and hope for Adam and Eve (Gen. 3:7), the 12 spies (Num. 13:23), and the poets and prophets.
Fir: An evergreen tree of uncertain identity. Although this tree is mentioned several times in Scripture, biblical authorities question whether this was the true fir or some other evergreen of Palestine. Many suggest the aleppo pine would fit this description, while others think the cypress, juniper, or cedar could be meant.
The Israelites valued the timber of the fir tree for building the Temple (I Kings 6:15, KJV), for ship building (Ezek. 27:5), and for making musical instruments (II Sam. 6:5). The fir is used symbolically to describe the blessings of GOD for His people (Is. 41:19; 55:13, KJV).
Fitches: Two different plants mentioned in the KJV:
Flag: (see Reed/Rush).
Flax: A plant growing one meter (three feet) tall with pale blue flowers, and used for making cloth. When mature, the entire flax plant was pulled and placed in water to separate the fibers from the stems. It was then laid on housetops to dry (Josh. 2:6), and later woven into linen. Flax was also used as wicks for lamps in Bible times (Is. 42:3). Also see Reed/Rush).
Frankincense: An aromatic gum resin obtained from the Bosellia tree. These trees are large with small, white, star-shaped flowers and leaves resembling the mountain ash. The gum is obtained by cutting into the bark and collecting the resin from the tree. When this substance hardens, it is gathered and used as incense.
Frankincense was part of the sacred anointing oil (Ex. 30:34). It was used in sacrificial offering (Lev. 2:1), as a fumigant during animal sacrifices (Ex. 30:7), and as perfume (Song 3:6). It was a gift to baby Jesus (Matt. 2:11).
The trees are native to India, Arabia, and Africa. Palestine probably obtained this product through foreign trade (Is. 60:6).
Galbanum: The gum from an herb which grew one to one and one-half meters (three to five feet) high and had greenish-white flowers. Galbanum was the milky substance extracted from the stems which quickly hardened. It was used in perfume and anointing oil (Ex. 30:34).
Gall: A bitter, poisonous herb. This may have been the poppy or some other wild poisonous plant. Gall is used figuratively to mean a bitter punishment (Jer. 8:14; 9:15; 23:15) or any bitter experience (Acts 8:23).Gall and vinegar were offered to Jesus on the cross (Matt. 27:34).
Garlic: A strong-flavored herb, resembling the onion. Garlic was eaten with bread and used to flavor food and is still highly favored today. Garlic was highly esteemed in Egypt and was believed to have been used as wages for the workers who built the pyramids. The Hebrews yearned for garlic after leaving Egypt (Num. 1:5).
Gopherwood: (See Cyprus).
Gourd: A fast-growing shrub which grew to a height of three to four meters (10-12 feet). One of Elisha' servants put the fruit of the gourd into a pot of stew (II Kings 4:39).
The gourd (Jon. 4:6-10; KJV, NEB) is identified as a plant under which Jonah found shade. Some biblical scholars suggest this may have been pumpkin, squash, or ivy.
Many types of wild gourds also flourished in the Mediterranean region. Some of these were poisonous. The decorations used on the Temple called ornamental buds (I Kings 6:18; 7:24) are thought to be a type of wild gourd.
Grapes: A luscious fruit cultivated on vines. Large clusters of grapes weighing about five kilograms (12 pounds) each (Num. 13:23) have been reported in Palestine.
Grapes were used in a variety of ways. They were eaten fresh or dried and were made into wine or vinegar. Dried grapes were called raisins. The first suggestion of grapes in Scripture was in connection with Noah's vineyard (Gen. 9:20).
The soil and climate of Palestine was well suited for vineyards, where grapes were grown. They were cultivated here long before the Israelites occupied the land (Gen. 14:18). The vineyards of Palestine produced immense clusters of grapes (Num. 13:20,23-24).
Vineyards were hedged or fenced as protection from wild animals (Song 2:15). In each vineyard a tower was erected and a guard placed to protect the vines from robbers (Matt. 21:33).
Vinedressers were hired to care for the vines and prune them yearly (Lev. 25:3; Is. 61:5). The grapes were gathered in baskets in September and October with much festivity (Judg. 9:27; Is. 16:10). Provision was made for the poor to glean the fields (Lev. 19:10; Deut. 24:21). The choicest grapes were dried or eaten fresh and the rest were placed in presses to extract the juice (Is. 61:5; Hos. 9:2-4). This was drunk fresh or fermented.
Jesus alluded to His relationship with His followers by referring to Himself as the vine and to them as the branches (John 15:5). The fruit of the vine symbolized Jesus' shed blood (Matt. 26:27-29). He also used the vineyard in many of His parables (Matt. 9:17; 20:1-6; 21:28-32; Luke 13:6-9).
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