Apples Of Sodom
NatureWhat is the meaning of Apples Of Sodom in the Bible?
The 'Dead Sea fruit' mentioned by Josephus is botanically identified as either the fruit of the osheir tree (Calotropis procera) or the wild colocynth (Citrullus colocynthis), both native to the region and characterized by an external appearance resembling edible apples but containing bitter, toxic pulp.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the botanical reality of the colocynth clarifies the metaphorical weight of biblical passages, illustrating the concept of deceptive appearances where something attractive externally yields bitterness or death internally.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Apples Of Sodom in this passage?
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Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.