Bdellium

Occurs only in Gen. 2:12, where it designates a product of the land of Havilah; and in Num. 11:7, where the manna is likened to it in colour. It was probably an aromatic gum like balsam which exuded from a particular tree (Borassus flabelliformis) still found in Arabia, Media, and India. It bears a resemblance in colour to myrrh. Others think the word denotes “pearls,” or some precious stone.

(bedolach). (Genesis 2:12; Numbers 11:7) It is quite impossible to say whether bedolach denotes a mineral or an animal production or a vegetable exudation. Bdellium is an odoriferous exudation from a tree which is perhaps the Borassus flabelliformis, Lin., of Arabia Felix.

BDELL'IUM. Gen 2:12. After much discussion, it is still impossible to say whether bdellium is a mineral, an animal production (pearl), or a vegetable exudation. It is probably the latter. There is a gum produced in the East Indies which has the same name and is thought by many to be the same substance. It resembles myrrh in color, and is of a bitter taste. Num 11:7.

BDELL'IUM. Gen 2:12. After much discussion, it is still impossible to say whether bdellium is a mineral, an animal production (pearl), or a vegetable exudation. It is probably the latter. There is a gum produced in the East Indies which has the same name and is thought by many to be the same substance. It resembles myrrh in color, and is of a bitter taste. Num 11:7.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. An unidentified substance mentioned in the Bible (Gen. ii. 12, and Num. xi. 7), variously taken to be a gum, a precious stone, or pearls, or perhaps a kind of amber found in Arabia.

2. A gum resin of reddish brown color, brought from India, Persia, and Africa.