The oil tree is native to the Levant and also grows in Persia and Siberia. It is most common in the Caucasus and in the Circassia on the banks of the river Tereck. This tree reaches a height of fifteen to twenty feet. It lanceolated leaves are rich green with a light undersurface and are hairy all over. They are two to three inches long and joined to the branch by short petioles. Its reddish-brown fruit resembles an olive. Since shemen means oil, it can be assumed that the tree so referred to was an oil-producing one. If it is trimmed when young it can be kept as low as a hedge plant. Other regional names for it are "Jerusalem willow," because of its leaf shape and general habit of growth; the French chalef, and adaptation from the Arabic khalef for willow; the Persian kalaf; the Arabic zackum. It releases a deep yellow gum used in treating eye ailments.
Winifred Walker
ALL THE PLANTS OF THE BIBLE
Isaiah 41:18 (KJV) I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.
Isaiah 41:19 (KJV) I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, and the pine, and the box tree together:
Isaiah 41:20 (KJV) That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the LORD hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it.
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