Mandrake

Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary

דודאים ,  Genesis 30:14-16;  Song of Solomon 7:13 . Interpreters have wasted much time and pains in endeavouring to ascertain what is intended by the Hebrew word dudaim. Some translate it by "violet," others, "lilies," "jasmines," "truffle or mushroom," and some think that the word means "flowers," or "fine flowers," in general. Bochart, Calmet, and Sir Thomas Browne, suppose the citron intended; Celsius is persuaded that it is the fruit of the lote tree; Hiller, that cherries are spoken of; and Ludolf maintains that it is the fruit which the Syrians call mauz, resembling in figure and taste the Indian fig; but the generality of interpreters and commentators understand by dudaim, mandrakes, a species of melon; and it is so rendered in the Septuagint, and in both the

Targums, in  Genesis 30:14 . It appears from Scripture, that they were in perfection about the time of wheat harvest, have an agreeable odour, may be preserved, and are placed with pomegranates. Hasselquist, the pupil and intimate friend of Linnaeus; who travelled into the Holy Land to make discoveries in natural history, imagines that the plant commonly called mandrake, is intended. Speaking of Nazareth, in Galilee, he says, "What I found most remarkable at this village was the great number of mandrakes which grew in a vale below it. I had not the pleasure to see this plant in blossom, the fruit now (May 5th, O. S.) hanging ripe on the stem, which lay withered on the ground. From the season in which this mandrake blossoms and ripens fruit, one may form a conjecture that it was Rachel's dudaim. These were brought her in the wheat harvest, which in Galilee is in the month of May, about this time, and the mandrake was now in fruit.

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

Mandrake ( dûdâ’îm ,   Genesis 30:14 f.,   Song of Solomon 7:13; RVm [Note: Revised Version margin.] ‘love apples,’ cf. root dôdîm , ‘love’). Although other plants have been suggested, the mandrake ( Mandragora officinarum ), of the SolanaceÅ“ or Potato order, is most probable. It is a common plant in all parts of S. Palestine. Its long and branched root is very deeply imbedded in the earth, and an old superstition survives to-day that he who digs it up will be childless but at the same time the effort of pulling it up will cure a bad lumbago. When the last fibres give way and the root comes up a semi-human scream is supposed to be emitted (cf. also Jos. [Note: Josephus.] BJ VII. vi. 3). Occasionally the root resembles a human figure, but most of those exhibited have been ‘doctored’ to heighten the resemblance. The leaves are dark green, arranged in a rosette, and the flowers dark purple. The fruit, which ripens about May, about the time of the wheat harvest, is somewhat like a small tomato, and orange or reddish in colour: it is called by the natives baid el-jinn , ‘the eggs of the jinn .’ It has a heavy narcotic smell and sweetish taste. It is still used medicinally, but is known to be poisonous, especially the seeds. The mandrake was known to the ancients as an aphrodisiac (see p. 569 b ).

E. W. G. Masterman.

Webster's Dictionary

(1): ( n.) The May apple (Podophyllum peltatum). See May apple under May, and Podophyllum.

(2): ( n.) A low plant (Mandragora officinarum) of the Nightshade family, having a fleshy root, often forked, and supposed to resemble a man. It was therefore supposed to have animal life, and to cry out when pulled up. All parts of the plant are strongly narcotic. It is found in the Mediterranean region.

Holman Bible Dictionary

 Genesis 30:14-16 Genesis 30:17-21 Genesis 30:24

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

Bibliography Information McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Mandrake'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/m/mandrake.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.