Home1815 Edition

ALMUGGIM

Volume 1 · 173 words · 1815 Edition

ALMIGGIM, or ALMUG TREE, a certain kind of wood mentioned in the first book of Kings (x. ii.), which the Vulgate translates ligna thyina, and the Septuagint wrought wood. The Rabbins generally render it coral; others, ebony, brazil, or pine. But it is observed, that the almug tree can by no means be coral, because that is not fit for the purposes that the Scripture tells us the almug tree was. Almuggin was used, such as musical instruments, staircases, &c.

The word *thyrium* is a name for the citron tree, known to the ancients, and very much esteemed for its sweet odour and great beauty. It came from Mauritania. The almug tree, or almuggin, alginum, or simply gum-mim, taking *al* for a kind of article, is therefore by the best commentators understood to be an oily and gummy sort of wood; and particularly that sort of tree which produces the gum ammoniac, which is also thought to be the same with the Shittim wood, whereof there is such frequent mention made by Moles.