[b-hebrew] What is that to be eaten 2 Kings 6:25?

Kevin P. Edgecomb kevin at bombaxo.com
Fri Sep 5 17:29:08 EDT 2008


 From the Anchor Bible Dictionary:
DOVE’S DUNG, STAR OF BETHLEHEM (Ornithogalum umbellatum) is the Heb  
[XRYWN] (2 Kgs 6:25; see Post 1883: 801; Loew 1928, I: 601; Moldenke  
1952: 162). This plant grows profusely on the hills of Samaria, and  
the white flowers look like bird droppings. It is a small, bulbous  
plant with umbels of flowers. The bulbs are poisonous, unless roasted  
or boiled; then they may be ground into meal.
David Noel Freedman, The Anchor Bible Dictionary, 2:815 (New York:  
Doubleday, 1996, c1992).

A couple of pictures are available here:
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/parthenon/3664/dove.html

I recall this term is found also in Mesopotamian sources, though I may  
be mistaken.

Regards,
Kevin P. Edgecomb
Berkeley, California


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