source of manna in the desert. Bodenheimer(“The Manna of Sinai,” Biblical Archeologist, vol. 10, pp. 2-6), described manna as a sweet secretion of various insects. The word manna may be derived from the Egyptian word mennu— food, or ma hu— Hebrew for“what is it?” The Arabs called it mann al samma— heavenly bread.(B. Jacob, The Second Book of the Bible, Exodus, tr. Walter Jacob [Hoboken NJ : KTAV Publishing House, 1992] pp. 452 ff.) Some modern scholars identify the manna as derived from lichen or allied species of plants found in Arabia and Yemen. (A detailed discussion of manna has been provided by R.A. Donkin, Manna: An Historical Geography[The Hague : W. Junk B.V. Publishers, 1980]). The tamarisk is a deciduous tree that grows up to twenty feet high. Tamarisks have a high water requirement and may cause desert water resources to dry. Ancient uses include construction, ploughs, milking bowls, charcoal, and tanning, and the leaves provide fodder.
Willow (Salix alba ; S. blanda babylonica— aravah levanah ) There is dispute among scholars as to whether the Bible plant is the willow or the Euphrates poplar; both trees grow along streams. Willow boughs are among the four species for the Feast of Sukkot . It is a medium-sized deciduous tree. The ancient uses include troughs, shoes, sieves, tool handles, boats, charcoal, and tannin. The twigs have been used for weaving baskets, twine, and chair seats. The leaf galls have been used as for veils. Medicinally, the bark, leaf, twig, and fruit were a source of salicylic acid, later used as the primary component of aspirin. The medicinal value was already known by ancient Egyptians. Synthetic aspirin was only introduced in 1899.
The date palm(Phoenix dactylifera— tamar) which was mentioned frequently in the Bible and which we might expect to be used was a very valuable tree. However, as a palm it has no lumber value.
As you can see, this is a fairly extensive list. It will, however, be difficult to obtain lumber from many of these trees in reasonable quantities. In some instances you may have to rely on veneers and even they will be hard to find. Allow me to note that some of these trees, such as for example the sycamore fig and the acacia, were used extensively in ancient times, although they are hardly a preferable wood and have been used only rarely since. We find both of these as well as some others represented often in Egyptian tombs not only for the elaborate cas