Protos

What does "Myrtle" mean in the Bible?

Myrtle, a beautiful, fragrant, and ornamental shrub (Myrtus communis), Myrtle. Myrtle appears in 5 verses across 3 books of the Bible.

Flowers of a myrtle tree
Flowers of a myrtle tree · © Giancarlo Dessì, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

What does the Bible say about Myrtle?

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.

Definition text: Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible · 1898. Public domain.

Compiled by Protos: the verse list on this page. Where one name belongs to more than one person or place, each of them gets a separate entry.

What is the Hebrew word for Myrtle?

Hebrew · H1918

הֲדַס

ha.das

myrtle

TBESH, STEPBible, licensed CC BY 4.0.

Where does Myrtle appear in the Bible?

Myrtle is referenced in 5 verses across 3 books. Every passage below is about this one, not just every verse the word turns up in.

What else appears in these passages?

These turn up in the same passages as Myrtle.

Common questions

How many times does the Bible mention Myrtle?

Myrtle appears in 5 verses across 3 books, most often in Zechariah, which accounts for 3 of them.

Which books of the Bible mention Myrtle?

Zechariah, Isaiah, Nehemiah.

Where can I read every verse about Myrtle?

This page lists 5 of them. Protos carries all 5, and opens this entry on the verse you are reading rather than in a separate tab.

Read it in context

Read Zechariah with "Myrtle" explained on the verse.

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