the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
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Bible Encyclopedias
Algum
Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature
or Al´gum, or Al´mug Trees (1 Kings 10:11; 2 Chronicles 9:10-11). With regard to Ophir, the place from which these trees were brought to us, there appears no doubt that it was to the southward of the Red Sea, and was most probably in some part of India. Various trees have been attempted to be identified with the almug, but the balance of evidence seems to be in favor of the sandal-wood, which is known and highly esteemed in India. The tree which produces it is a native of the mountainous parts of the coast of Malabar, where large quantities are cut for export to China, to different parts of India, and to the Persian and Arabian gulfs. The outer parts of this tree are white and without odor; the parts near the root are most fragrant, especially of such trees as grow in hilly situations and stony ground. The trees vary in diameter from 9 inches to a foot, and are about 25 or 30 feet in height, but the stems soon begin to branch. This wood is white, fine-grained, and agreeably fragrant, and is much employed for making rosaries, fans, elegant boxes, and cabinets.
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