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Mandrake

See Plants. The mandrake is mentioned is Genesis 30:14 as a plant with which Rachel, Jacob's second wife, had attempted to increase her fertility.

Mandrake is a herb with violet flowers, yellow fruits and a forked root which belongs to the nightshade family.

Habitat:Mount Hermon, Mount Carmel and Gilboa.

Mastic

See Plants. The Hebrew term lot of Genesis 37:25 has been viewed by some scholars as a reference to resin. Other scholars dispute this and suggest instead that it refers to either the resin of rock roses or to the resin of the mastic tree or alternatively, to chestnut or pine-derived extracts. The term appears in the passage that describes the goods carried by the traders to whom Joseph was sold.

The mastic bush or tree was a source of resin in the ancient world.

Habitat:Hills of Gilead.

Myrrh

See Plants. The Hebrew term morof Exodus 30:23 is believed by some translators to be a reference to myrrh. Some scholars dispute this and suggest instead that it should be viewed as a reference to musk that was obtained from the musk deer. The reference to the above appears in the text which enumerates the materials that were needed for the making of a sacred oil. This was the oil that was used for the consecration of various utensils inside the Holy Ark.

The myrrh is a white thorny bush out of which a reddish bitter-tasting fragrant resin is produced.

Habitat:Somalia, Ethiopia

Myrtle

See Plants. The myrtle is mentioned in Leviticus 23:40 as one of the four different plant-related offerings that are to be made during the feast of Tabernacles.

The Myrtle is an evergreen fragrant shrub.

Habitat:Mediterranean countries.

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