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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Almug</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/a/almug.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/1_kings/10-11.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/a/almug.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Almug</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/a/almsgiving.htm" title="Almsgiving">◄</a> Almug <a href="/topical/a/almug_trees.htm" title="Almug Trees">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#amt" title="American Tract Society Bible Dictionary">ATS</a> • <a href="#isb" title="International Standard Bible Encyclopedia">ISBE</a> • <a href="#eas" title="Easton's Bible Dictionary">Easton's</a> • <a href="#web" title="Webster's Dictionary">Webster's</a> • <a href="#cnc" title="Multiversion Concordance">Concordance</a> • <a href="#thes" title="Bible Thesaurus">Thesaurus</a> • <a href="#heb" title="Strong's Hebrew Concordance">Hebrew</a> • <a href="#lib" title="Library">Library</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div><b>Definition and Etymology:</b> <br>Almug, also referred to as algum in some biblical translations, is a type of wood mentioned in the Old Testament. The Hebrew term for almug is "אַלְמֻגִּים" (almuggim), and it is believed to be derived from a non-Semitic origin, possibly linked to the Sanskrit word "valgu," meaning "sandalwood." The exact species of the almug tree is not definitively identified, but it is often associated with the red sandalwood or a similar precious wood.<br><br><b>Biblical References:</b> <br>Almug wood is prominently mentioned in the context of King Solomon's reign, particularly in relation to the construction and furnishing of the Temple and the royal palace. The primary biblical references to almug wood are found in:<br><br>1. <b><a href="/1_kings/10-11.htm">1 Kings 10:11-12</a> :</b> "The fleet of Hiram that brought gold from Ophir also brought from Ophir a great cargo of almug wood and precious stones. The king made the almug wood into steps for the house of the LORD and for the king’s palace, and into lyres and harps for the singers. Never before had such almug wood been brought in, nor has any been seen to this day."<br><br>2. <b><a href="/2_chronicles/9-10.htm">2 Chronicles 9:10-11</a> :</b> "The servants of Hiram and the servants of Solomon who brought gold from Ophir also brought algum wood and precious stones. The king made the algum wood into steps for the house of the LORD and for the king’s palace, and into lyres and harps for the singers. Never before had such things been seen in the land of Judah."<br><br><b>Historical and Cultural Context:</b> <br>The almug wood was highly valued in ancient Israel for its beauty and durability. It was imported from Ophir, a region renowned for its wealth and exotic goods, though its exact location remains a subject of debate among scholars. The wood's use in the Temple and the royal palace underscores its significance and the opulence of Solomon's reign. The mention of musical instruments crafted from almug wood highlights its acoustic properties, suggesting it was prized not only for its appearance but also for its functional qualities.<br><br><b>Theological Significance:</b> <br>The use of almug wood in the construction of the Temple and the royal palace symbolizes the wealth and wisdom bestowed upon Solomon by God. It reflects the fulfillment of God's promise to David regarding the establishment of a house for His name (<a href="/2_samuel/7-13.htm">2 Samuel 7:13</a>). The luxurious materials used in the Temple's construction serve as a testament to the glory and majesty of God, as well as the prosperity of Israel under Solomon's rule.<br><br><b>Interpretations and Speculations:</b> <br>While the exact identity of almug wood remains uncertain, its association with luxury and rarity is clear. Some scholars suggest it may have been a type of sandalwood, known for its fragrance and fine grain. Others propose it could have been a now-extinct species or a generic term for high-quality imported wood. The debate over its identification reflects the broader challenges of understanding ancient trade and botanical classifications.<br><br><b>Conclusion:</b> <br>The biblical references to almug wood provide insight into the wealth and splendor of Solomon's kingdom, as well as the cultural and economic exchanges of the ancient Near East. Its use in sacred and royal contexts highlights the importance of beauty and craftsmanship in worship and governance, serving as a reminder of the divine blessings upon Israel during this period.<a name="amt" id="amt"></a><div class="vheading2">ATS Bible Dictionary</div><span class="encheading">Almug</span><p>A kind of tree or wood, which Hiram brought from Ophir for the use of Solomon in making pillars for the temple and his own house, and also musical instruments, <a href="/1_kings/10-11.htm">1 Kings 10:11</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/2-8.htm">2 Chronicles 2:8</a>. The rabbins call it coral; but it could not be this. It was more probably the tree, which furnishes what is now commonly called Brazil wood, which is also a native of the East Indies, Siam, the Molucca islands, and Japan, and has several species. Its wood is very durable, and is used in fine cabinet work. It yields also a dye of a beautiful red color, for which it is much used. Its resemblance in color to coral may have given occasion for the name almug, which in rabbinic still signifies coral; and thus the meaning of the name would be coral-wood. </p><a name="eas" id="eas"></a><div class="vheading2">Easton's Bible Dictionary</div>(<a href="/1_kings/10-11.htm">1 Kings 10:11</a>, 12) = algum (<a href="/2_chronicles/2-8.htm">2 Chronicles 2:8</a>; <a href="/2_chronicles/9-10.htm">9:10</a>, 11), in the Hebrew occurring only in the plural almuggim (indicating that the wood was brought in planks), the name of a wood brought from Ophir to be used in the building of the temple, and for other purposes. Some suppose it to have been the white sandal-wood of India, the Santalum album of botanists, a native of the mountainous parts of the Malabar coasts. It is a fragrant wood, and is used in China for incense in idol-worship. Others, with some probability, think that it was the Indian red sandal-wood, the pterocarpus santalinus, a heavy, fine-grained wood, the Sanscrit name of which is valguka. It is found on the Coromandel coast and in Ceylon. <a name="web" id="web"></a><div class="vheading2">Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary</div>(<I>n.</I>) Alt. of Algum.<a name="isb" id="isb"></a><div class="vheading2">International Standard Bible Encyclopedia</div><span class="encheading">ALMUG; ALGUM</span><p>al'-gum, ('algummim (<a href="/2_chronicles/2-8.htm">2 Chronicles 2:8</a>; <a href="/2_chronicles/9-10.htm">2 Chronicles 9:10</a>); ('almuggim, <a href="/1_kings/10-11.htm">1 Kings 10:11</a>)): It is generally supposed that these two names refer to one kind of tree, the consonants being transposed as is not uncommon in Semitic words. Solomon sent to Hiram, king of Tyre, saying, "Send me also cedar-trees, fir-trees, and algum-trees, out of Lebanon" (<a href="/2_chronicles/2-8.htm">2 Chronicles 2:8</a>). In <a href="/1_kings/10-11.htm">1 Kings 10:11</a> it is said that the navy of Hiram "that brought gold from Ophir, brought in from Ophir great plenty of almug-trees and precious stones." In the parallel passage in <a href="/2_chronicles/9-10.htm">2 Chronicles 9:10</a> it is said that "algum-trees and precious stones" were brought. From this wood "the king made. pillars for the house of Yahweh, and for the king's house, harps also and psalteries for the singers: there came no such almug-trees, nor were seen, unto this day" (<a href="/1_kings/10-12.htm">1 Kings 10:12</a>). The wood was evidently very precious and apparently came from East Asia-unless we suppose from <a href="/2_chronicles/2-8.htm">2 Chronicles 2:8</a> that it actually grew on Lebanon, which is highly improbable; it was evidently a fine, close grained wood, suitable for carving. Tradition says that this was the famous sandal wood, which was in ancient times put to similar uses in India and was all through the ages highly prized for its color, fragrance, durability and texture. It is the wood of a tree, Pterocar pussantalinus (N.D. Santalaceae), which grows to a height of 25 to 30 feet; it is a native of the mountains of Malabar.<br><br>E. W. G. Masterman<p><a name="heb" id="heb"></a><div class="vheading2">Strong's Hebrew</div><a href="/hebrew/484.htm"><span class="l">484. almuggim -- perhaps the sandalwood tree</span></a><br><b>...</b> 483, 484. almuggim. 485 . perhaps the sandalwood tree. Transliteration: almuggim<br> Phonetic Spelling: (al-moog-gheem') Short Definition: <b>almug</b>. <b>...</b> <b>almug</b> trees. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/hebrew/484.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 6k</font><a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/maclaren/expositions_of_holy_scripture_f/a_royal_seeker_after_wisdom.htm"><span class="l">A Royal Seeker after Wisdom</span></a> <br><b>...</b> And the navy also of Hiram, that brought gold from Ophir, brought in from<br> Ophir great plenty of <b>almug</b> trees, and precious stones.12. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/a royal seeker after wisdom.htm</font><p><a href="/library/white/the_story_of_prophets_and_kings/chapter_4_results_of_transgression.htm"><span class="l">Results of Transgression</span></a> <br><b>...</b> from Tyre, "with the servants of Solomon," manned these vessels on voyages "to Ophir,<br> and fetched from thence gold," and "great plenty of <b>almug</b> trees, and <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 4 results of transgression.htm</font><p><a href="/library/maspero/history_of_egypt_chaldaea_syria_babylonia_and_assyria_v_6/chapter_iiithe_hebrews_and_the.htm"><span class="l">The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus</span></a> <br>History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6. <. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm</font><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/a/almug.htm"><span class="l"><b>Almug</b> (2 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Noah Webster's Dictionary. (n.) Alt. of Algum. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.<br><b>ALMUG</b>; ALGUM. <b>...</b> EWG Masterman. Multi-Version Concordance <b>Almug</b> (2 Occurrences). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/a/almug.htm - 10k</font><p><a href="/topical/a/almug-trees.htm"><span class="l"><b>Almug</b>-trees (2 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>Almug</b>-trees. <b>Almug</b>, <b>Almug</b>-trees. Almugwood . Multi-Version<br> Concordance <b>Almug</b>-trees (2 Occurrences). 1 Kings 10:11 And <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/a/almug-trees.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/a/algum.htm"><span class="l">Algum (3 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Easton's Bible Dictionary (2 Chronicles 2:8; 9:10, 11), the same as <b>almug</b> (1<br> Kings 10:11). Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) Same as <b>Almug</b>. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/a/algum.htm - 9k</font><p><a href="/topical/a/almugwood.htm"><span class="l">Almugwood (2 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 1 Kings 10:11 And also, the navy of Hiram that bore gold from Ophir, brought in<br> from Ophir <b>almug</b>-trees very many, and precious stone; (See NIV). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/a/almugwood.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/s/sandal-wood.htm"><span class="l">Sandal-wood (5 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 1 Kings 10:11 And the navy also of Hiram, that brought gold from Ophir, brought<br> in from Ophir great plenty of <b>almug</b>-trees and precious stones. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/s/sandal-wood.htm - 8k</font><p><a href="/topical/o/ophir.htm"><span class="l">Ophir (12 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> with Phoenician vessels set out from Ezion-geber at the head of the Gulf of Aqabah,<br> returning with great stores of gold, precious stones and "<b>almug</b>"-wood (1 <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/o/ophir.htm - 16k</font><p><a href="/topical/l/lyres.htm"><span class="l">Lyres (21 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 1 Kings 10:12 The king made of the <b>almug</b> trees pillars for the house of Yahweh,<br> and for the king's house, harps also and stringed instruments for the singers <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/l/lyres.htm - 13k</font><p><a href="/topical/i/imported.htm"><span class="l">Imported (9 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 1 Kings 10:12 The king made of the <b>almug</b> trees pillars for the house of Yahweh,<br> and for the king's house, harps also and stringed instruments for the singers <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/i/imported.htm - 9k</font><p><a href="/topical/p/psalteries.htm"><span class="l">Psalteries (16 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 1 Kings 10:12 And the king made of the <b>almug</b> trees pillars for the house of the<br> LORD, and for the king's house, harps also and psalteries for singers: there <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/p/psalteries.htm - 12k</font><p><a href="/topical/s/stringed.htm"><span class="l">Stringed (34 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 1 Kings 10:12 The king made of the <b>almug</b> trees pillars for the house of Yahweh,<br> and for the king's house, harps also and stringed instruments for the singers <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/s/stringed.htm - 18k</font><p><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="https://clyx.com/term/almug.htm">Almug: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com</a><br /><br /><a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="cnc" id="cnc"></a><div class="vheading2">Concordance</div><span class="encheading">Almug (2 Occurrences)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/1_kings/10-11.htm">1 Kings 10:11</a></span><br />The navy also of Hiram, that brought gold from Ophir, brought in from Ophir great plenty of <span class="boldtext">almug</span> trees and precious stones.<br /><span class="source">(WEB KJV ASV WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/1_kings/10-12.htm">1 Kings 10:12</a></span><br />The king made of the <span class="boldtext">almug</span> trees pillars for the house of Yahweh, and for the king's house, harps also and stringed instruments for the singers: there came no such almug trees, nor were seen, to this day.<br /><span class="source">(WEB KJV ASV WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)</span><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/a/almug.htm">Almug</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/a/almug_trees.htm">Almug Trees</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/almug-trees.htm">Almug-trees (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/algum.htm">Algum (3 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/almugwood.htm">Almugwood (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/sandal-wood.htm">Sandal-wood (5 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/o/ophir.htm">Ophir (12 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/l/lyres.htm">Lyres (21 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/i/imported.htm">Imported (9 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/psalteries.htm">Psalteries (16 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/stringed.htm">Stringed (34 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/supports.htm">Supports (25 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/singers.htm">Singers (41 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/i/instruments.htm">Instruments (136 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/royal.htm">Royal (154 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/trees.htm">Trees (179 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/support.htm">Support (135 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/palace.htm">Palace (194 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/pillars.htm">Pillars (132 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/almsgiving.htm">Almsgiving (3 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/h/harps.htm">Harps (27 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/n/navy.htm">Navy (4 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/i/india.htm">India (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/cargoes.htm">Cargoes (4 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/plenty.htm">Plenty (43 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/k/king's.htm">King's (375 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/h/hiram.htm">Hiram (21 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/amount.htm">Amount (66 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/trade.htm">Trade (33 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/h/harp.htm">Harp (36 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon (277 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/ships.htm">Ships (46 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/precious.htm">Precious (128 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/a/almsgiving.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Almsgiving"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Almsgiving" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/a/almug_trees.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' 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