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Abraham's oak

See Plants. The Hebrew term Eloney Mamreh of Genesis 13:18 is considered by some translators to be a name of a region in Canaan. Other scholars dispute this and suggest instead that it is a reference to the terebinth trees of Mamre; or to the oak of Mamre, which has since come to be known as Abraham's Oak.

Oaks can live for as long as 1000 years. Their monumental scale makes them useful as a geographical landmark.

Location:North-west of Hebron.

Acacia

See Plants. The Hebrew term shittim of Exodus 25:5 is considered by some translators to be a reference to the acacia tree. Some scholars dispute this and suggest instead that it is a reference to a member of the cedar family of trees or merely that it denotes "decay proof wood". The word appears in the text which notes the various types of offerings that the congregation are to bring to the tabernacle.

The acacia tree is a member of the mimosa family. It has yellowish flowers, sharp thorns and a thick trunk.

Habitat:Lower Galilee, western shores of the Dead Sea, Negev and Sinai deserts.

Aloe

See Plants. The Hebrew word kinman of Exodus 30:23 is considered by some scholars to be a reference to the dried bark of the cinnamon tree. Other scholars dispute this and suggest instead that the term refers to aloes wood (eagle wood) or lignum aloes or alternatively to "mecca straw". The above plant is one of a number of plant, tree or animal-derived materials out of which a sacred anointment oil for the Holy Ark was to be produced.

The bitter resin of the aloe is used in the making of fragrances.

Habitat:South-west Arabia, south-east Asia.

Asherah

Trees sacred to the Canaanites. The Israelites were commanded to destroy them at Exodus 34:13 and Deuteronomy 7:5.

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