Illustrated Dictionary of the Bible
Hazel: (see Almond).
Heath: (see Broom).
Hemlock: A poisonous plant that grows to about two meters (five feet) tall and has small white flowers. Hemlock is referred to only once in the NKJV (Hos. 10:4). Other translations use the more general term weeds. Also see Wormwood).
Henna: A plant used to produce a valuable orange-red dye. It was two to three meters (seven to ten feet) tall and bore fragrant white flowers. Solomon compared his beloved to a cluster of henna (Song 1:14; 4:13; camphire, KJV).
Hyssop: A species of marjoram and a member of the mint family. Hyssop was an aromatic shrub under one meter (three feet) tall with clusters of yellow flowers. It grew in rocky crevices and was cultivated on terraced walls (I Kings 4:33). Bunches of hyssop were used to sprinkle blood on the doorposts in Egypt (Ex. 12:22), and in purification ceremonies (Lev. 14:4,6,51-52). David mentioned it as an instrument of inner cleansing (Ps. 51:7). It was used at the crucifixion to relieve Jesus' thirst (John 19:29).
The hyssop was very similar to the caper plant. It is sometimes rendered marjoram by the NEB.
Ilex: (See Cypress).
Juniper: (See Broom).
Laurel: (See Bay Tree).
Leek: A bulbous vegetable resembling the onion which grows 15 centimeters (about six inches) high. The stems and bulbs of leeks were eaten raw and used to flavor foods. Named with garlic and onions, the leek was a food which the Hebrew people ate in Egypt (Num. 11:5).
Lentil: A small annual plant with white, violet-striped flowers. The seeds of lentils grew in pods similar to the pea. During Bible times lentil was threshed like wheat and boiled into a reddish-brown pottage. This was the dish which Esau purchased with his birthright (Gen. 25:34). Lentils could also be used as an ingredient for bread (Ezek. 4:9).
Lign Aloe: (See Aloe).
Lily: A flower with white or rosy-purple blooms measuring up to 30 centimeters (12 inches) across. Many scholars think the lily is sometimes a term applied to flowers in general. Others believe specific types such as the Turks Cap, the Madonna, or the lotus is referred to.
The lily was used as an ornament for the Temple (I Kings 7:22). The Beloved and the Shulamite used lilies to describe their love (Song 2:1; 2:16; 4:5; 5:13; 6:3).
Locust: An evergreen tree growing about 6 to 9 meters (20-30 feet) tall and having small glossy leaves. A native of Syria and Palestine, it bears long pods known as carob or locust beans (Luke 15:16; husks, KJV). These may have been used for food in dire circumstances (II Kings 6:25, NEB).
Lotus: (See Lily).
A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z
| Home | Site Index | Bible Index |
| Kingdom Dynamics | Truth in Action | Links |
