Myrtle

(Isa. 41:19; Neh. 8:15; Zech. 1:8), Hebrew hadas, known in the East by the name as, the Myrtus communis of the botanist. “Although no myrtles are now found on the mount (of Olives), excepting in the gardens, yet they still exist in many of the glens about Jerusalem, where we have often seen its dark shining leaves and white flowers. There are many near Bethlehem and about Hebron, especially near Dewir Dan, the ancient Debir. It also sheds its fragrance on the sides of Carmel and of Tabor, and fringes the clefts of the Leontes in its course through Galilee. We meet with it all through Central Palestine” (Tristram).

a plant mentioned in (Nehemiah 8:15; Isaiah 41:19; 55:13; Zechariah 1:8,10,11) The modern Jews still adorn with myrtle the booths and sheds at the feast of tabernacles. Formerly, as we learn from Nehemiah, (Nehemiah 8:15) myrtles grew on the hills about Jerusalem. “On Olivet.” says Dean Stanley, “nothing is now to be seen but the olive and the fig tree:” on some of the hills near Jerusalem, however, Hasselquist observed the myrtle. Dr. Hooker says it is not uncommon in Samaria and Galilee. The Myrtus communis is the kind denoted by the Hebrew word. (It is a shrub or low tree sometimes ten feet high, with green shining leaves, and snow-white flowers bordered with purple, “which emit a perfume more exquisite than that of the rose.” The seeds of the myrtle, dried before they are ripe, form our allspice.—ED.)

MYR'TLE, a beautiful, fragrant, and ornamental shrub (Myrtus communis), Myrtle. (Myrtus communis.) which abounds in Northern Palestine and once grew about Jerusalem. "In the bazaars of Jerusalem and Damascus the dried flowers, leaves, and berries of the myrtle are to be seen in separate heaps, offered for sale as a perfume, and a fragrant water is distilled from the blossom. Both leaves, bark, and root are used in Damascus for tanning the finest leather, and give it a delicate scent." - Tristram. The seeds of a tropical species of the myrtle, collected and dried before they are ripe, are called pimento, or allspice. For the rich hue of its green polished leaves, its agreeable fragrance and beautiful flowers, this shrub is used by the Bible writers, in contrast with the noxious, useless brier, to illustrate the prosperity and glory of the Church. Isa 41:19; Isa 55:13; Zech 1:8-11. The myrtle furnished the wreaths of ancient heroes and victors. Branches of the myrtle were gathered, among others, to cover the booths and tents of the Jews at the celebration of the feast of tabernacles. Lev 23:40; Neh 8:15.

MYR'TLE, a beautiful, fragrant, and ornamental shrub (Myrtus communis), Myrtle. (Myrtus communis.) which abounds in Northern Palestine and once grew about Jerusalem. "In the bazaars of Jerusalem and Damascus the dried flowers, leaves, and berries of the myrtle are to be seen in separate heaps, offered for sale as a perfume, and a fragrant water is distilled from the blossom. Both leaves, bark, and root are used in Damascus for tanning the finest leather, and give it a delicate scent." - Tristram. The seeds of a tropical species of the myrtle, collected and dried before they are ripe, are called pimento, or allspice. For the rich hue of its green polished leaves, its agreeable fragrance and beautiful flowers, this shrub is used by the Bible writers, in contrast with the noxious, useless brier, to illustrate the prosperity and glory of the Church. Isa 41:19; Isa 55:13; Zech 1:8-11. The myrtle furnished the wreaths of ancient heroes and victors. Branches of the myrtle were gathered, among others, to cover the booths and tents of the Jews at the celebration of the feast of tabernacles. Lev 23:40; Neh 8:15.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

A species of the genus Myrtus, especially Myrtus communis. The common myrtle has a shrubby, upright stem, eight or ten feet high. Its branches form a close, full head, thickly covered with ovate or lanceolate evergreen leaves. It has solitary axillary white or rosy flowers, followed by black several-seeded berries. The ancients considered it sacred to Venus. The flowers, leaves, and berries are used variously in perfumery and as a condiment, and the beautifully mottled wood is used in turning.