Mandrakes are mentioned in the Bible primarily in the context of the Old Testament, where they are associated with fertility and desire. The Hebrew word for mandrakes is "dudaim," and they are referenced in two significant passages: Genesis 30:14-16 and Song of Solomon 7:13.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 30:14-16 : "Now during the wheat harvest, Reuben went out and found some mandrakes in the field and brought them to his mother Leah. And Rachel said to Leah, 'Please give me some of your son’s mandrakes.' But Leah replied, 'Is it not enough that you have taken away my husband? Now you also want to take my son’s mandrakes?' 'Very well,' said Rachel, 'he may sleep with you tonight in exchange for your son’s mandrakes.' So when Jacob came in from the field that evening, Leah went out to meet him and said, 'You must sleep with me, for I have hired you with my son’s mandrakes.' So he slept with her that night."

In this passage, mandrakes are depicted as a valuable and desirable commodity, believed to possess properties that could aid in conception. The narrative highlights the intense rivalry between Leah and Rachel, Jacob's wives, for his affection and the desire for children. Rachel's willingness to trade a night with Jacob for the mandrakes underscores the cultural and personal significance attributed to these plants.

2. Song of Solomon 7:13 : "The mandrakes send forth their fragrance, and at our door is every delicacy, both new and old, that I have stored up for you, my beloved."

Here, mandrakes are mentioned in a poetic and romantic context, symbolizing love and desire. The fragrance of the mandrakes is associated with the allure and beauty of the beloved, enhancing the sensual imagery of the Song of Solomon.

Cultural and Historical Context:

Mandrakes (Mandragora officinarum) are a plant native to the Mediterranean region. They are characterized by their broad leaves, purple flowers, and a large root that often resembles a human figure. In ancient times, mandrakes were believed to have aphrodisiac and fertility-enhancing properties, which is reflected in their biblical mentions. The root's human-like shape contributed to various superstitions and myths surrounding the plant, including its supposed ability to scream when uprooted.

In the biblical narrative, the use of mandrakes by Leah and Rachel reflects the ancient Near Eastern customs and beliefs regarding fertility and the desire for offspring. The exchange between the sisters illustrates the deep-seated longing for children and the lengths to which individuals would go to secure divine favor in this regard.

Symbolism and Interpretation:

From a theological perspective, the mention of mandrakes in the Bible can be seen as a reflection of human desires and the complexities of familial relationships. The account of Leah and Rachel serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty in matters of life and fertility, as ultimately, it is God who opens and closes the womb (Genesis 30:22).

In the Song of Solomon, the reference to mandrakes enhances the theme of love and longing, illustrating the beauty and depth of marital affection. The use of natural imagery, including mandrakes, underscores the celebration of love as a divine gift.

Overall, mandrakes in the Bible are emblematic of the human quest for love, fertility, and fulfillment, woven into the broader tapestry of God's providential care and the unfolding of His purposes in the lives of His people.Mandrakes

(Heb. dudraim) are mentioned in (Genesis 30:14,16) and in Song 7:13 The mandrake, Atropa mandragora , is closely allied to the well-known deadly nightshade, A. bellndonna , and to the tomato, and belongs to the order Solanaceae , or potato family. It grows in Palestine and Mesopotamia. (It grows low, like lettuce, which its leaves somewhat resemble, except that they are of a dark green. The flowers are purple,and the root is usually forked. Its fruit when ripe (early in May) is about the size of a small apple, 24 inches in diameter, ruddy or yellow and of a most agreeable odor (to Orientals more than to Europeans) and an equally agreeable taste. The Arabs call it "devil's apple," from its power to excite voluptuousness. Dr. Richardson ("Lectures on Alcohol," 1881) tried some experiments with wine made of the root of mandrake, and found it narcotic, causing sleep, so that the ancients used it as an anaesthetic. Used in small quantities like opium, it excites the nerves, and is a stimulant. --ED.)

Mandrakes

Hebrew Dudaim, Genesis 30:14-16 So 7:13, a plant to which was attributed, probably without reason, the power of rendering barren women fruitful. According to most of the ancient versions, it was the Atropa Mandragora of Linnaeus, a plant of the genus Belladonna, with a root like a beet, white and reddish blossoms, and fragrant yellow apples, which ripen from May to July. But this opinion is uncertain.

Hebrew dudaim; i.e., "love-plants", occurs only in Genesis 30:14-16 and Cant. 7:13. Many interpretations have been given of this word dudaim. It has been rendered "violets," "Lilies," "jasmines," "truffles or mushrooms," "flowers," the "citron," etc. The weight of authority is in favour of its being regarded as the Mandragora officinalis of botanists, "a near relative of the night-shades, the `apple of Sodom' and the potato plant." It possesses stimulating and narcotic properties (Genesis 30:14-16). The fruit of this plant resembles the potato-apple in size, and is of a pale orange colour. It has been called the "love-apple." The Arabs call it "Satan's apple." It still grows near Jerusalem, and in other parts of Palestine. MANDRAKES

man'-draks (dudha'im; mandragoras (Genesis 30:14 Songs 7:13); the marginal reading "love apples" is due to the supposed connection of dudha'im with dodhim, "love"): Mandrakes are the fruit of the Mandragora officinarum, a member of the Solanaceae or potato order, closely allied to the Atropa belladonna. It is a common plant all over Palestine, flourishing particularly in the spring and ripening about the time of the wheat harvest (Genesis 30:14). The plant has a rosette of handsome dark leaves, dark purple flowers and orange, tomato-like fruit. The root is long and branched; to pull it up is still considered unlucky (compare Josephus, BJ, VII, vi, 3). The fruit is called in Arabic baid el-jinn, the "eggs of the jinn"; they have a narcotic smell and sweetish taste, but are too poisonous to be used as food. They are still used in folklore medicine in Palestine. The plant was well known as an aphrodisiac by the ancients (Songs 7:13).

E. W. G. Masterman

1736. duday -- mandrake
... 1735, 1736. duday. 1737 . mandrake. Transliteration: duday Phonetic Spelling:
(doo-dah'-ee) Short Definition: mandrakes. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/1736.htm - 6k

The Mandrakes Give a Smell, and at Our Gates are all Manner of ...
... CHAPTER VII. 13. The mandrakes give a smell, and at our gates are all manner of
pleasant fruits, new and old, which I have laid up for thee, O my Beloved. ...
/.../guyon/song of songs of solomon/13 the mandrakes give a.htm

The Testament of Issachar Concerning Simplicity.
... I was the fifth son born to Jacob, even the hire of the mandrakes. ... And she said,
Behold, let Jacob be to thee this night instead of the mandrakes of thy son. ...
/.../v the testament of issachar concerning.htm

A Confirmation of what Has Been Said by a Noteworthy Comparison.
... Reuben the first of these had gone into the fields at harvest-time and found
some mandrakes, which he brought as a present to his mother. ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter ix a confirmation of.htm

Chapter xxx
... 14, 15. And Reuben went out in the days of the wheat harvest and found
mandrakes in the field and brought them to Leah, his mother. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxx.htm

Book 1 Footnotes:
... 36] I formerly explained these mandrakes, as we, with the Septuagint, and Josephus,
render the Hebrew word Dudaim, of the Syrian Maux, with Ludolphus, Antbent. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 1 footnotes .htm

The First Part
... Our ancestors have said, that there was the figure of a man on the standard of Reuben,
on account of the mandrakes which he found, (but this is a foolish ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the first part .htm

Chapter vii
... 13. The mandrakes give a smell, and at our gates are all manner of pleasant fruits,
new and old, which I have laid up for thee, O my beloved.13. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/chapter vii.htm

The Nature of Spiritual Hunger
... Second, affliction. God often gives us this sauce to sharpen our hunger after
grace. Reuben found mandrakes in the field' (Genesis 30:14). ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/13 the nature of spiritual.htm

A Discourse of the Building, Nature, Excellency, and Government of ...
... The pomegranates at all her gates do grow, Mandrakes and vines, with other dainties
mo;[3] Her gardens yield the chief, the richest spice, Surpassing them of ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse of the building.htm

Concerning Jacob's Flight into Mesopotamia, by Reason of the Fear ...
... he added glory to Lea. Now Reubel, the eldest son of Lea, brought apples
of mandrakes [36] to his mother. When Rachel saw them, she ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 19 concerning jacobs flight.htm

Mandrakes (4 Occurrences)
... Palestine. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. MANDRAKES. man ... 13). EWG Masterman.
Multi-Version Concordance Mandrakes (4 Occurrences). Genesis ...
/m/mandrakes.htm - 9k

Son's (34 Occurrences)
... Genesis 30:14 Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest, and found mandrakes
in the field, and brought them to his mother, Leah. ...
/s/son's.htm - 17k

Rachel (42 Occurrences)
... In her eagerness to become a mother of children, Rachel bargained with Leah for
the mandrakes, or love-apples of her son Reuben, but all to no avail (Genesis 30 ...
/r/rachel.htm - 24k

Mandrake (1 Occurrence)
... Mandrake (1 Occurrence). Genesis 30:14 Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest,
and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them to his mother, Leah. ...
/m/mandrake.htm - 7k

Leah (30 Occurrences)
... Genesis 30:14 Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest, and found mandrakes
in the field, and brought them to his mother, Leah. ...
/l/leah.htm - 19k

Fields (199 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Genesis 30:14 And Reuben went out in the days of wheat-harvest, and found
mandrakes in the fields; and he brought them to his mother Leah. ...
/f/fields.htm - 37k

Wheat-harvest (6 Occurrences)
... Genesis 30:14 And Reuben went out in the days of wheat-harvest, and found mandrakes
in the fields; and he brought them to his mother Leah. ...
/w/wheat-harvest.htm - 8k

Wouldest (66 Occurrences)
... and wouldest thou take away my son's mandrakes also? And Rachel said, Therefore
he shall lie with thee to night for thy son's mandrakes. (KJV JPS ASV WBS). ...
/w/wouldest.htm - 26k

Tonight (23 Occurrences)
... Would you take away my son's mandrakes, also?" Rachel said, "Therefore he will lie
with you tonight for your son's mandrakes." (WEB BBE NAS RSV NIV). ...
/t/tonight.htm - 13k

To-night (15 Occurrences)
... and wouldest thou take away my son's mandrakes also? And Rachel said, Therefore
he shall lie with thee to-night for thy son's mandrakes. ...
/t/to-night.htm - 11k

What are the mandrakes mentioned in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Reuben in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Issachar in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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