Lost Tree Mentioned in the Bible Brought Back to Life after 1,000 Years

A team of researchers working for fourteen years have managed to bring to life an entirely extinct tree, resurrecting a lost species that was originally mentioned in the Bible. The discovery, published in Communications Biology, could bring to life a tree from the time of Christ and Roman Judea. 

The seeds for this tree, a member of the Commiphora genus, were recovered from a desiccated cave to the north of Jerusalem and were found to be part of a family of plants valued for their aromatic resin. The scientists working to bring the tree (named Sheba) to life were not initially sure what the seeds would produce, but over some 14 years they have grown the plant into a tree 3.5 meters tall.

There are no Commiphora species currently growing in the Levant, but scientists had believed the tree to be a candidate for the famed “Judean Balsam”. Other Commiphora species are even more famous, including frankincense and myrrh, two of the gifts of the Magi to the infant Jesus according to the Gospels.

Sadly however this does not appear to be Judean Balsam, nor is it even a particularly fragrant tree. However its mere presence in the region, where it seems it should not be found, leads to intriguing speculation about the trade routes which led to its discovery in the area.

In addition is seems that this tree may in fact be a candidate for the Biblical “tsori” resin, mentioned in Genesis and highly valued during the Roman period of the New Testament. If this is the case then this team of researchers have indeed brought something of historical value back to life.

 Header Image: Researchers have grown their “Bible” tree into a plant some 3.5 meters tall. Source: Communications Biology.

Written by Allthathistory