View Atriplex halimus
Job recalled the time when his persecutors were of no account or standing. During that time they were gathering mallows, which are the sprigs and leaves of the sea purslane. This bush must have sea air to give it life and grows in abundance along the shores of southern Europe through to Israel and along the Dead Sea. The original word malah signifies salt. The two syllables combine to mean a salty-tasting plant.
Malluach grows as tall as ten feet. When it is dried, it forms a thick mass of thornless twigs. Its tiny purple flowers bloom in spring and are attached directly to the stem. The leaves are thick and fleshy. They have a bad taste, but can be eaten if necessary. The plant is known as the "salt plant" and is sometimes eaten by the very poor.
There are at least three other similar species growing in the region. The Talmud records that Jews working on reconstruction of the temple from 520-516 B.C. ate these mallows for food.
Job 30:1 (KJV) But now they that are younger than I have me in derision, whose fathers I would have disdained to have set with the dogs of my flock.
Job 30:3 (KJV) For want and famine they were solitary; fleeing into the wilderness in former time desolate and waste.
Job 30:4 (KJV) Who cut up mallows by the bushes, and juniper roots for their meat.
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