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Home » Bible Dictionaries » Easton's Bible Dictionary » Letter B

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Balm

Easton's Bible Dictionary

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  • This word occurs in the Authorized Version (Genesis 37:25; 43:11; Jeremiah 8:22; 46:11; 51:8; Ezekiel 27:17 ) as the rendering of the Hebrew word Tsori_ or _tseri , which denotes the gum of a tree growing in Gilead (q.v.), which is very precious. It was celebrated for its medicinal qualities, and was circulated as an article of merchandise by Arab and Phoenician merchants. The shrub so named was highly valued, and was almost peculiar to Palestine. In the time of Josephus it was cultivated in the neighbourhood of Jericho and the Dead Sea. There is an Arab tradition that the tree yielding this balm was brought by the queen of Sheba as a present to Solomon, and that he planted it in his gardens at Jericho.

  • There is another Hebrew word, Basam_ or _bosem , From which our word "balsam," as well as the corresponding Greek balsamon, is derived. It is rendered "spice" ( Song of Solomon 5:1,13; 6:2; margin of Revised Version, "balsam;" Exodus 35:28; 1 Kings 10:10 ), and denotes fragrance in general. Basam also denotes the true balsam-plant, a native of South Arabia (Cant. l.c.).

    Copyright Statement
    These dictionary topics are from M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain.
    Bibliography Information
    Easton, Matthew George. Entry for 'Balm'. Easton's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​ebd/​b/balm.html. 1897.
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