Illustrated Dictionary of the Bible
Saffron: The product of many varieties of crocus, a flower which grew from a bulb and produced light-blue flowers.
Crocus blooms were gathered, dried, and pressed into cakes of saffron. Saffron was used as a coloring for curries and stews. It was also used as a perfume for the floors of theaters and for weddings. Solomon was the only Bible writer to refer to saffron (Song 4:14).
Salt Herb: (see Mallow).
Saltwort: (see Mallow).
Shittah Tree: (see Acacia).
Shittim Wood: (see Acacia).
Spelt: An inferior kind of wheat. Although the bread made from this grain was of a poorer quality than that made from wheat, spelt was preferred over barley by many in the ancient world. The KJV translated this word as rye in Exodus 9:32 and Isaiah 29:25, and as fitches in Ezekiel 4:9. Spelt was sown later than wheat. It thrived in poor soil and under adverse conditions.
Spikenard: A costly oil derived from the dried roots and stems of the nard, an herb of Asia. This oil was used as a liquid or made into an ointment. Solomon praised the fragrance of spikenard (Song 1:12; 4:13-14).
Spikenard was imported from India in alabaster boxes. These were stored and used only for special occasions. When household guests arrived, they were usually anointed with this oil. Jesus was anointed on two occasions as an honored guest (Mark 14:13; John 12:3).
Many spikes grew from a single nard root which produced clusters of pink flowers. The stems were covered with hair, giving them a wooly appearance. Some translations of the Bible refer to spikenard as nard.
Stacte: A resin believed to be an extract of the stems and branches of the storax tree. Stacte was highly prized as perfume and as incense. It was one of the ingredients of anointing oil (Exod. 30:34).
The storax was a small, stiff shrub growing to a height of about 3 to 6 meters (10-20 feet), which grew abundantly in Lebanon and throughout Palestine. Its leaves were dark with grayish-white undersides. In spring the storax flowered profusely with highly fragrant white blooms which resembled the orange blossom.
Straw: The dried stalks of various grains such as spelt, barley, millet, or many kinds of wheat. Straw could also include stalks of wild grasses. Straw was mixed with grain and used as fodder (Gen. 24:25; Judg. 19:19; I Kings 4:28). The Egyptians mixed straw with clay for stronger bricks (Exod. 5:7).
Sycamine: (see Mulberry).
Sycamore: A huge evergreen tree growing to a height of about 12 to 15 meters (40-50 feet) with a trunk circumference of over 6.5 meters (20 feet). The trunk forked near the ground, and the branches grew outward.
The leaves of the sycamore, sometimes called the sycamore fig, were heart-shaped, resembling the leaves of the mulberry. The fruit was similar to the true fig but was inferior in quality. These yellow figs grew in clusters close to the branches.
Sycamores were trees of the plains (I Kings 10:27) and could not tolerate colder climates (Ps. 78:47). The sycamore was the tree which Zacchaeus climbed to gain a better view of Jesus (Luke 19:4).
Tamarisk: A small tree with thick foliage and spikes of pink blooms. It provided ample shade for desert travelers (I Sam. 22:6). The word for tamarisk is translated tree, grove, or oak by the KJV.
Tares: A poisonous grass resembling wheat, but with smaller seeds. The tares were usually left in the fields until harvest time, then separated from the wheat during winnowing. Jesus used tares growing with wheat as a parable to illustrate evil in the world (Matt. 13:25-30,36-40). Tares is translated weeds in the RSV and NIV, and darnel in the NEB.
Terebinth: A large spreading tree which grew to a height of about 6 to 8 meters (20-26 feet) with reddish-green leaves and red berries in clusters. The terebinth is mentioned several times in the Bible. It is sometimes translated as teil (Is. 6:13), elm (Hos. 4:13), or oak (Gen. 35:4) by the KJV.
Thistles/Thorns: General terms for any spiney plant. Such plants are characteristic of arid and desert regions. Some of these were brambles, briars, thorny bushed, small trees, weeds and prickly herbs. They grew abundantly in Palestine and other Bible lands, especially along roadsides, in fields, and in dry places.
The most noted use of thorns in the Bible was the crown of thorns placed on the head of Jesus on the cross (Matt. 27:29). This was done by the Romans as a form of mockery.
Some of the thorns and thistles were annuals, scattering their seed in autumn. The industrious farmer would destroy the plants before he seeded (Matt. 13:7). Many of them were used as fuel for ovens (Ps. 58:9; Eccl. 7:6; Is. 33:12).
Thorny shrubs were used as hedges to guard fields and vineyards (Prov. 15:19; Mark 12:1). The prophet Micah declared that even the most upright person is "sharper [more destructive] than a thorn hedge" (Mic. 7:4).
Thyine: (see Citron).
Vine: (see Grapes).
Watermelon: (see Melon).
Wheat: The most important cereal grass mentioned in the Bible. This was the bearded variety belonging to the genus Triticum. It was cultivated in Bible lands from early times (Gen. 30:14). Egyptian wheat was the many-eared variety called "mummy wheat". This was the wheat of Pharaoh's dream (Gen. 41:5-57). It was also depicted on Egyptian monuments.
Wheat was sown after barley in November or December. It was usually broadcast and then either plowed or trodden into the soil by oxen or other animals (Is. 32:20). This grain was used for bread (Ex. 29:32), and was also eaten parched (Lev. 23:14; Ruth 2:14). It was used in ceremonial offerings (Lev. 2:1; 24:5-7) and as an article of commerce (Ezek. 27:17; Acts 27:38).
When corn is mentioned in the Bible, it refers to wheat, as corn was not known in Bible times (Ps. 72:16; Matt. 12:1; Mark 4:28). Jesus compared His death to a grain of wheat which must die to produce fruit (John 12:24).
Willow: A tree which grew to about 9 to 12 meters (30-40 feet) and had reddish-brown bark; narrow, pointed leaves; and flowers or catkins which hung downward. Willow branches were used to construct the booths for the Feast of Tabernacles (Lev. 23:40). The Israelites hung their harps on willows while in Babylon.
Some biblical scholars think the willow mentioned in the Bible was actually the poplar of Euphrates Aspen. The word for willow is consistently translated as poplar by the NIV.Isaiah 44:4 is translated poplar by the NEB and NASB as well. Also see Poplar.
Wormwood: A woody shrub covered with small green leaves, with greenish-yellow flowers growing in clusters. Wormwood grows in the desert regions of Palestine and Syria. This plant is mentioned many times in the Bible. It had a bitter taste and a strong aroma (Jer. 9:15).
Wormwood was used symbolically to refer to any calamity or bitter experience (Deut. 29:18; Prov. 5:4; Amos 5:7; Rev. 8:10-11). An intoxicating drink could also be made from this plant (Lam. 3:15). Wormwood is sometimes translated as bitter weeds or hemlock (Amos 6:12, KJV).
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