Mallow

Type Plant Hebrew חַלָּמוּת

A bushy shrub with oval leaves; its buds and young leaves are edible but not very tasty.

Common purslane
Common purslane (© Júlio Reis (Wikimedia Commons)) Mallow

About Mallow

A shrubby plant mentioned in 30:4. The Hebrew word used in this verse suggests saltiness. Because of this, plant experts believe it refers to one of the species of saltwort or orach.

Twenty-one species of saltwort grow in Israel and the surrounding areas. Almost all of these are common plants that could match what the Bible describes. Atriplex halimus is the species most commonly suggested. It is a strong-growing bushy shrub related to spinach.

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Habitat, identification, and how translators render the term across languages.

Key References

Job 6:6

Is tasteless food eaten without salt, or is there flavor in the white of an egg?

Job 24:24

They are exalted for a moment, then they are gone; they are brought low and gathered up like all others; they are cut off like heads of grain.

All Scripture References (2)

Job (2)
Job 6:6

Is tasteless food eaten without salt, or is there flavor in the white of an egg?

Job 24:24

They are exalted for a moment, then they are gone; they are brought low and gathered up like all others; they are cut off like heads of grain.