A Dictionary of Bible Plants

This book describes and illustrates each plant mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments and the Apocrypha. Drawing on Lytton John Musselman's extensive field investigations from Beirut to Borneo and from the Atlas to the Zagros mountains, it also includes his original images of each plant. Incorporating new research on their use, reviews are made of recent analytical studies of plants used in materials and technology as well as ancient grains, beer production, medicine, tensile materials, soap and other articles. Based on these materials, Musselman provides several new plant identifications for controversial biblical passages. In addition, the book surveys the history of Bible plant literature from the time of the Greeks and Romans to the present, and reviews and correlates it with Bible plant hermeneutics. Extensive references for further study are provided, along with an index to all verses containing references to these plants. Advance praise: 'For a very long time I have read commentary after commentary on the Bible where the Bible scholar thought they knew what they were talking about when it came to the flora and the fauna of the Bible. It turns out, as Lytton Musselman shows, they don't! Here finally we have a definitive and informative treatment of the plants of the Bible, both small and large. Highly recommended.' Dr Ben Witherington III, Asbury Theological SeminaryForeword; Review of Bible plant literature; Biblical plant entries; References cited; Appendix of plant names; Appendix of Bible versions; Appendix of scripture references.