Nuts

This word occurs only in Gen 43:11, where Jacob, wishing to conciliate the ruler of Egypt, desires his sons on their return to ’take of the best fruits in the land in their vessels and carry down the man a present,’ and along with other articles mentions ’nuts and almonds.’ There is little doubt that pistachio-nuts is the article here meant.

The pistachio-nut-tree is well known, extending as it does from Syria to Afghanistan. From the latter country the seeds are carried as an article of commerce to India, where they are eaten in their uncooked state, added to sweetmeats, or as a dessert fried with pepper and salt, being much relished by Europeans for the delicacy of their flavor. The pistachio-tree is most common in the northern, that is, the cooler parts of Syria, but it is also found wild in Palestine in some very remarkable positions, as Mount Tabor, and the summit of Mount Attarus (Nebo?). It delights in a dry soil, and rises to the height of 20, and sometimes 30 feet. As it belongs to the same genus as the terebinth-tree, so like it the male and female flowers grow on separate trees.

Nuts. Nuts are mentioned among the good things of the things, which the sons of Israel were to take, as a present to Joseph in Egypt. Gen 43:11. There can scarcely be a doubt that the Hebrew word here, denotes the fruit of the pistachio, (Pistacia vera), for which Syria and Palestine have been long famous. In Son 6:11, a different Hebrew word is translated "nuts." In all probability, it here refers to the walnut tree. According to Josephus, the walnut tree was formerly common and grew most luxuriantly, around the Lake of Gennesareth.

Nuts. Those mentioned in Gen 43:11 are doubtless pistachio-nuts, which were produced in Syria, but not in Egypt. Another word translated "nuts" in Son 6:11 denotes what are known in our markets as "English walnuts," produced by a noble tree—Juglans regia—which is everywhere cultivated in the East.

1. botnim. This is judged to be the fruit of the pistachio tree (Pistacia vera). These nuts were among the good things sent to Joseph by his father. Gen 43:11.

2. egoz. The bride "went down into the garden of nuts." Son 6:11. This word is considered to refer to the walnut tree (Juglans regia). Josephus and others speak of the walnut tree growing in Palestine.

NUTS.—1. ’ĕgôz (Son 6:11), without doubt the fruit of the walnut-tree (Juglans regia), called to-day in Arab. [Note: Arabic.] jauz. 2. botnîm (Gen 43:11) means pistachio nuts, the fruit of Pistacia vera, a tree widely cultivated in Palestine. The nuts, known in Arab [Note: Arabic.] , as fistuq, are very great favourites; they are eaten raw, and also made into various sweets and confectionery.

E. W. G. Masterman.

nuts:

(1) (אגוז, ’ĕghōz; καρύα, karúa; Arabic jauz, “the walnut” (Son 6:11)): This is certainly the walnut tree, Juglans regia, a native of Persia and the Himalayas which flourishes under favorable conditions in all parts of Palestine; particularly in the mountains. In such situations it attains the height of from 60 to 90 ft. A grove of such trees affords the most delightful shade.

(2) (בּטנים, boṭnı̄m; τερέβινθοι, terébinthoi (Gen 43:11, margin “pistachio nuts”)): The Hebrew is perhaps allied to the Arabic buṭm, the “terebinth,” which is closely allied to the Pistacia vera, Natural Order Anacardiaceae, which produces pistachio nuts. These nuts, known in Arabic as fistūḳ, are prime favorites with the people of Palestine. They are oblong, 3/4 inches long, with green, oily cotyledons. They are eaten raw and are also made into various sweets and confectionery. They are a product of Palestine, very likely to be sent as a present to Egypt (Gen 43:11).

Son 6:11 (b) This probably describes the children of GOD. They live in heavenly places, not down in the swamps. They are of many colors, like the various races. They have good, sweet hearts. Some have thin shells, and some are hard and thick. They are of various shapes and sizes, according to the way they have grown. There is much about them to be thrown away, but much to be kept that is valuable.