other words, in sizes usable for major construction was extremely valuable and expensive.
A number of different trees were mentioned in the Bible and were used for building and furniture. Let me now list some of the trees; all of this material has been taken from Irene Jacob , Plants of the Bible and Their Uses, where you will find additional information. I will provide the common name, the Latin term, and the Hebrew name.
Acacia(Acacia raddiana or A. Julibrissin— shittim). Many references to shittim occur in the Bible , either to the tree or as a term to designate localities. Four varieties are found in Sinai. Acacia nilotica a flat-topped tree with prickly branches and small compound leaves is found in Egypt . Acacia raddiana has yellow globular flowers, followed by brown twisted pods.(Acacia Julibrissin, also known as Albizia Julibrissin or Mimosa is without prickly branches and has pinkish flowers.) Ancient uses include the wood used for the portable Tent of Meeting in the desert. Its furniture was also constructed from this hard lumber. Acacia was also used for fuel, hand tools, and posts. The bark was used for tanning leather as well as rope fibers.
Almond(Prunus amygdalus, P. glandulosa— shaked mazui) Almonds are among the first trees to flower in spring. The Hebrew word means“diligence,” and the flowers symbolize the awakening of spring. It is mentioned six times in the Bible . Another name for almond—“Luz”— is a place name. Almonds were found in the Negev and throughout the land. The almond tree grows to twenty feet in height. Almonds produce fruit after five to six years. Some ancient uses for the nut uses include food and flavoring, while the oil and bark was used was medicinally. Burned almond shell may have been used for kohl soot(the ancient Egyptian eye paint). The shape of the tree(or that of the sage plant) may have been used for the design of the candelabrum of the desert tabernacle.
Apricot(Prunus armeniaca— mishmesh) Many Biblical scholars believe that the apricot or the quince (Cydonia oblonga ), not the apple, was the first fruit mentioned in the Bible . While domesticated apple trees are now found in Israel , wild specimens did not grow there in biblical times as it is a tree native to the Northern Hemisphere. Apricots grow in warmer climes. They are abundant in Palestine and were introduced before biblical times. The tree grows to a height of thirty feet. Some ancient uses: food(fresh
or dried) and alcoholic beverages.