Bible Question:
The NASB is the only bible I find that mentions in Rev. 18:12 "Citron Wood" All other bibles merely mention something to the effect of good smelling wood. Where do the translators get the particularity of "citron wood" from ? |
Bible Answer: Greetings Vern! A "Google" web search yielded this information which I have copied for you here: The identity of the "citron wood" (NIV), translated "thyine wood" in other translations from the Greek thuinos. Thyine wood is the most obscure timber in the New Testament and its true identity is not known. It has been suggested that it might be the wood of an evergreen found in the Mahgreb, Tetriclinus articulata (Cupressaceae), a relative of the eastern white cedar, Thuja occidentalis. The wood of Tetraclinus is fragrant and the resin has been used to make a varnish. Some images of T. articulata can be seen at http://www.dipbot.unict.it/fito_new/territori/distrmelitense/tetraclinis_articulata.html The following from Greek scholar Eleanor Irwin (personal communication) is helpful. Thyine (GK. thyinos) is an adjective from thyon, the name of a tree. Theophrastus says that it is a hard wood tree like the wild cypress and was known for lasting a long time. It is native to Cyrene in North Africa and the area near the temple of Zeus Ammon, a famous oracle in North Africa. It had been used for roofing (like cedar shakes?). The way Theophrastus mentions this indicates that this was no longer the case. The wood was either too scarce or too expensive - or perhaps both. It was used for making valuable articles. It did not take as high a polish as cypress. The Loeb edition of Theophrastus has a list of Greek plants and their scientific equivalents done by Sir William Thiselton-Dyer who was the director of Kew Gardens in London at the beginning of this century. (He was not always right, even so). He says the thyon tree is Callitris quatravalvis. The name of the tree "thyon" "thyinos" suggests that it was scented. From Revelation, it probably wasn't native to Israel and the use of "all" (pan thyinon) may indicate that it meant scented wood in general and not a specific tree. I noticed that various versions translate "all kinds of scented wood." I hope this helps. mommapbs |
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Questions and/or Subjects for Bible general Archive 2 | Author | ||
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dgolden1 | ||
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checho | ||
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sdtaylor99 | ||
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Vern | ||
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Mommapbs | ||
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Hank | ||
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Mommapbs | ||
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TheFinalSQL | ||
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SHINING VIRUS | ||
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Kevverman | ||
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kmbrlykay84 | ||
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Just Read Mark | ||
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CHILL | ||
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punkiedo |