Solomon Described Plants: A Botanical Guide to Plant Life in the Bible
Digital Verbum Edition
Overview
This is a treatment of the plants mentioned in the Old and New Testaments, their uses, ecology, history, beauty, and symbolism. The book includes more than three hundred original photographs by the author from field and ethnobotanical studies over the past four decades. Special attention has been paid to plants that have been misunderstood in previous treatments. Recent advances in analytical techniques in archaeobotany, including sophisticated chemical and genomic methods, have helped elucidate the identity of problematic Bible plants. Also included is a review of recent literature on the plants. The volume will be an invaluable resource to students of the Bible, theologians, botanists, and translators.
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- Studies the plants mentioned in the Old and New Testaments.
- Includes more than three hundred original photographs by the author from field.
- Speaks to students of the Bible, theologians, botanists, and translators.
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- Introduction
- Plants of the Bible
- Acacia
- Algum
- Almond
- Almug
- Aloeswood
- Apple
- Barley
- Beans
- Bitter Herbs
- Black Cumin
- Bramble
- Broom
- Calamus
- Cane
- Caper
- Carob
- Cattail
- Cedar of Lebanon
- Cinnamon and Cassia
- Coriander
- Cotton
- Crown of Thorns
- Cucumber
- Cumin
- Cypress
- Date Palm
- Dill
- Dove’s Dung
- Ebony
- Fig
- Flax
- Flower of the Field
- Frankincense
- Galbanum
- Gall
- Garlic
- Gourd
- Grape
- Grass
- Gum
- Henna
- Hyssop
- Juniper
- Ladanum
- Laurel
- Leeks
- Lentil
- Lilies
- Mallow
- Mandrake
- Mint
- Mustard
- Myrrh
- Myrtle
- Nettle
- Oak
- Olive
- Onion
- Papyrus
- Pine
- Pistachio
- Plane tree
- Pomegranate
- Poplars
- Reed
- Rue
- Saffron
- Spikenard
- Sycomore
- Tamarisk
- Tares
- Terebinth
- Thistle
- Thyine
- Tumbleweed
- Walnut
- Watermelon
- Wheat
- Willow
- Wormwood
- References Cited
- Bible Translations
- Subject Index
- Scripture Index
Solomon Described Plants is a valuable contribution to the existing literature about Bible plants. It enlightens the use of eighty biblical plants in ancient times, and by examples and excellent photos taken in Middle Eastern countries, the book brings interesting life to biblical flora.
—Hans Arne Jensen, former Danish plant directorate
Many people see the Bible as only a spiritual book, but it is also an earthy book, reflecting the landscape, flora, and fauna of the land of Israel. And no one knows more about biblical plants, from acacia to wormwood, than the ethnobotanist Lytton John Musselman. This book, full of sumptuous color photos, thus adds significant depth to hundreds of biblical verses.
—Marc Zvi Brettler, Duke University
We welcome Musselman’s Solomon Described Plants, knowing that he has walked through the fields and markets of the Middle East learning from the people who still cultivate many of these ancient plants. The more we understand the biblical lands in their historical context, the better we are able to understand the texts.
—Ben Witherington III, Asbury Theological Seminary