Bdellium | Encyclopedia.com (2024)

gale

views updated May 29 2018

BDELLIUM (Heb. בְּדֹלַח) twice mentioned in the Scriptures, once in the description of the land of Havilah, which contained "gold, bdellium, and onyx stone" (Gen. 2:12), and again in the description of the manna, "its appearance was as the appearance of bdellium" (Num. 11:7). In both passages the Septuagint understands it as the name of some precious stone, as do Rashi, who interprets it as "a precious stone, crystal" and Saadiah Gaon, as "pearls." The Midrash gives two opinions. According to one, it is a precious stone, and according to the other the reference is to "the bedolaḥ of perfumers." In Genesis the Midrash decides in favor of the first interpretation because there it is associated with gold and onyx (Gen. R., 16:2). Josephus (Ant. 3:28) explains that "the manna resembled the spice bdellium." The reference is presumably to the sweet-smelling sap called in Greek βδέλλιον and in Latin bdellium, a semi-transparent resin extracted from trees of the genus Commiphora. According to Pliny (Historia Naturalis, 12:36) the best variety is Bactrian bdellium from Baluchistan, which is similar to that obtained from Nubia. In effect the sap of both the Bactrian, Commiphora roxburgii, and the Nubian, Commiphora africana, were used as incense. The former variety is known among Arabs as mokul, a name they also give to the resin issuing from the tree Hyphaene thebaica, a species of palm with a branching trunk that grows in the Arabah (at the approach to Elath), and in Sinai. The Arabs call it "Jewish bdellium." It is apparently this species that is referred to by Dioscorides as "the bdellium imported from Petra" (De Materia Medica, 1:80).

bibliography:

Loew, Flora, 1 (1928), 304f.; J. Feliks, Olam ha-Ẓome'aḥ ha-Mikra'i (19682), 259.

[Jehuda Feliks]

Encyclopaedia Judaica Feliks, Jehuda

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oxford

views updated Jun 27 2018

bdel·li·um / ˈdelēəm/ •n. a fragrant resin produced by a number of trees related to myrrh, used in perfumes.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

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Bdellium | Encyclopedia.com (2024)

FAQs

What is bdellium according to the Bible? ›

The "bdellium" mentioned by Moses in Genesis is a perfuming gum, resembling frankincense, if not identical with it. In his quaint but sincere fashion he had preached of gold and precious jewels; of bdellium and the onyx stone.

What does bdellium symbolize? ›

The root of bdellium is taken from the meaning “separation”/to separate one's self. Bdellium - (also bdellion or false myrrh) is a semi-transparent oleo-gum resin extracted from Commiphora wightii plants of India, and from Commiphora africana trees growing in sub-saharan Africa.

What was bdellium used for? ›

Uses. Bdellium is used in perfumery, as incense, and in traditional medicine. It is an adulterant of the more costly myrrh.

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What does bdellium taste like? ›

(I hope you're as relieved as I am that Study Bibles dutifully explain that bdellium is a pale, yellow resin.) According to Exodus its color is white, and it tastes like honey wafers (Exod.

What did manna taste like? ›

The Israelites called it man (derived from the word 'what,' or 'what is it'), “and it was like coriander seed, white; and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.” According to the text, the manna sustained them for their forty years of dwelling in the desert.

What is the medicinal use of bdellium? ›

Guggul has been used in the Indian traditional system for thousands of years to manage inflammation, gout, rheumatism, arthritis, obesity, and lipid metabolism disorders. It is also known as Guggula, Gugar, Guggal, and Indian bdellium.

How to eat bdellium? ›

Guggul is an ancient herb used in making ayurvedic medicine. It contains unsaturated steroids known as guggulsterone, which promote weight loss and increase the body's metabolism. It is also known for stimulating cholesterol level of the body. The best way to consume guggul is in the form of tea.

Is bdellium a tree? ›

Source: Wikipedia

Commiphora wightii, with common names Indian bdellium-tree, gugal, guggul, gugul, or Mukul myrrh tree, is a flowering plant in the family Burseraceae. The guggul plant may be found from northern Africa to central Asia, but is most common in northern India.

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Britannica's content is among the most trusted in the world. Every article is written, and continually fact-checked, by our experts.

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Edwards wrote that Tom Evans, the encyclopedia's editor-in-chief, told him, "Because there is still a demand!" It is a demand, Evans told a reporter, that comes from librarians, teachers and families of students.

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Entries in an encyclopedia are short and not appropriate as a cited source for a research paper, but they provide a quick overview of a topic and will jumpstart your research. Encyclopedia entries often include citations to additional books, articles or websites for further reading on the topic.

What tree was Adam and Eve on in the Bible? ›

In Christian tradition, consuming the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil was the original sin committed by Adam and Eve that led to the fall of man in Genesis 3.

What is Sardius in the Bible? ›

Easton's Bible Dictionary - Sardine stone

sardion, from a root meaning "red"), a gem of a blood-red colour. It was called "sardius" because obtained from Sardis in Lydia. It is enumerated among the precious stones in the high priest's breastplate ( Exodus 28:17 ; 39:10 ). It is our red carnelian.

What is the manna that came down from heaven? ›

Manna, basically a word that means “what is it?” is a bread-like substance that fell from heaven (Psalm 78:24), and that tasted like honey. The Israelites would go and collect a daily portion of manna each day, ensuring to get a double portion before the Sabbath (so they didn't work for their food on the Sabbath).

What bdellium smells like? ›

Guggul - This relative of Myrrh from the Indian Bdellium Tree is especially sweet, sensual and clean smelling. In it's natural form it is very soft and gooey. It blends well with Sandalwood, Aloeswood, Calmus, Orris Root or Benzoin.

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