HOW DO I BEGIN TO THANK the myriad people on four continents who have taught me so much during the past two decades? Generously.
I gratefully acknowledge three Fulbright awards: the first at the University of Khartoum in 1982–1984, the second at An Najah University in 1986–1987, and the third at the University of Jordan in 1998–1999. In addition to agricultural research, contacts and friendships resulting from these opportunities have greatly enriched my understanding of Bible plants in their natural settings, and they have graced me and my family in so many other ways.
While abroad, I was privileged to work with several national and international organizations. Professors Abraham Fahn and Clara Heyne of the Hebrew University introduced me to the flora. It was a pleasure to work for several summers with Jordan’s Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature and to visit their spectacular preserves. In 2002–2004 I had the privilege to work with the agrobiodiversity program hosted by the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) and their programs in the Palestinian Territories, Lebanon, and Syria; Ahmed Amri helped and supported me in this project. A royal thank you to Her Majesty Queen Rania al-Abdullah of Jordan for the commission to write on wildflowers in her country (Musselman 2000).
In 2001, I was a visiting professor at Aleppo University and in 2002 at the American University of Beirut. In both of these places I received innumerable kindnesses and help. Worthy of special note are Professors Majd Jamal, Fawaz Azmeh, and Ibtasam Hamad of Damascus University, who arranged for visits to so many natural areas to study plants and expended so much time and hospitality in assisting me. Professor Jamal, now Director General of the General Direction of Scientific Research, Ministry of Agriculture for Syria, continues to build relationships between plant scientists in our two countries.
In addition, I would have learned little that is new about plants of the two holy books without firsthand interaction with the farmers and shepherds who continue the ancient uses of many of the plants.
The genesis of this project occurred in my early childhood because of high value placed in my home on the Bible’s teachings. This experience was later augmented when I lived in many of the countries written about in the scriptures. But the idea of this book began with Doug Hayhoe, who encouraged me long ago to begin this study while at a most unbiblical setting—the north woods of Canada. And that led to other projects. Henk Medema thoughtfully arranged for translation of some of my early work into Dutch; it appeared in two booklets (Musselman and Medema 1993 and 1993a). I have incorporated some of his exegesis on mustard and hyssop. Dean Ohlman of Radio Bible Class taught me the importance of trees in the Bible and, by extension, the imagery of trees in other religious writings. Most recently, without the counsel and assistance of the folks at Timber Press, I would not have completed this book.
Nigel Hepper, formerly of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and author of several books on Bible plants, has been a botanical and Bible friend for more than three decades. He read several drafts of this book and his valuable criticisms have been carefully weighed. To Garrison Keillor, my appreciation for writing a foreword. Both of us spring from the same Plymouth Brethren (Grant-Booth Meeting) with its high value on Bible knowledge, reflected in Keillor’s frequent references to the Bible in his programs and writings. Professor M. H. Farooqi, whose books on plants in Islam are the most widely appreciated in English, graciously read sections of the book and supported this and earlier efforts to communicate about plants in the Quran.
Like all teachers, I have learned much from my students. I wish to thank them all. I want to make special note of Mohammad S. Al Zein’s helpful textual criticism, especially with talh. Sarah K. Boltz assisted with images and the manuscript. Jay F. Bolin and David Cutherell did extensive editing. Students in my course on Plants of the Bible at Old Dominion University have seen, smelled, tasted, and felt Bible plants and their products with me over many years. I am moved by all their enthusiasm for plants of the Bible and the Quran.
Old Dominion University has provided me with a nurturing atmosphere for basic research for more than three decades. I am so grateful to be associated with an institution that encourages all types of research, even on plants of the Bible. The generous support of the Mary Payne Hogan endowment has enabled me to complete this work sooner than I expected, although it still has taken me 20 years!
It is impossible for me to acknowledge everyone who helped me in my research, but the list should certainly include Mohamed Aggour, Khalid Al Arid, Barakat Abu Irmaileh, Hani Abu Sbeih (deceased), Magzoub Omar Bashir, Faiz Bebawi, Mustapha Bouhamidi, Mwaffak Chickhali, Chris Dawson, Stuart Frazer, Atef Haddad, Eleanor Irwin, Jad Iszhak, Daniel Joel, Kamal Mohamed, Berj Mora, Abdel Baset al-Mouslem, John Musselman, Shawky Nasser, Fasil Reda, Sabir Barsoum Safa (deceased), Rob Sampson, Mats Thulin, Juliet Wurr, and Fatien Yacoub. Omission of any person who has assisted me may be understandable because of the over three decades and dozens of countries involved, but is still cause for regret.
While blessed by the teaching and assistance of many, I alone am responsible for any errors and misunderstandings in this text.
During the long gestation period of this work, I have been counseled, encouraged, and prayed for by a circle that includes Frank Batten Jr., Brian Campbell, Charles Holman (deceased), Henk Medema, and John W. Sizemore.
My four children (Jennifer, Rebecca, Sarah, and John) have patiently (usually) trudged over rocky ridges in pursuit of plants, bargained in Oriental bazaars, and overall been all that loving children could be.
I wish to express ineffable gratitude to my favorite Bible teacher and gardening instructor, Libby, my companion, support, and love for more than 40 years.
Ripening grapes in July in the village of Anjara, Jordan.