The algum tree, as known by King Solomon, was the Juniperus excelsa, also called Grecian juniper and regarded as savin. It will reach sixty-five feet and grows in pyramid form. It has finely cut foliage in great portion and its branches spread out widely. Winifred Walker (All the Plants of the Bible) describes its flowers, "borne in the shape of nodding catkins, and the fruit is black and globular, joined close to the branches." The tree is found in large quantity in wooded areas of the mountains of Lebanon and Gilead. It was suitable for Solomon's temple for the Lord God. Second Chronicles 2:9 says, "for the house which I am about to build shall be wonderful great." Likely the wood was brought from the distant country of Ophir and was very valuable. It would have been transported on the ships of Solomon, ships of Tarshish. The ships were sent from Ezion-Giber, a Red Sea port. Once in every three years they made a voyage and returned to Israel with gold, spices, algumwood, ebony and ivory.
Reference: All the Plants of the Bible by Winifred Walker
2 Chronicles 2:3 (KJV) And Solomon sent to Huram the king of Tyre, saying,
As thou didst deal with David my father, and didst send him cedars to build
him an house to dwell therein, even so deal with me.
2 Chronicles 2:4 (KJV) Behold, I build an house to the name of the LORD my
God, to dedicate it to him, and to burn before him sweet incense, and for the
continual showbread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the
sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts of the LORD our God.
This is an ordinance for ever to Israel.
2 Chronicles 2:7 (KJV) Send me now therefore a man cunning to work in gold,
and in silver, and in brass, and in iron, and in purple, and crimson, and
blue, and that can skill to grave with the cunning men that are with me in
Judah and in Jerusalem, whom David my father did provide.
2 Chronicles 2:8 (KJV) Send me also cedar trees, fir trees, and algum trees,
out of Lebanon: for I know that thy servants can skill to cut timber in
Lebanon; and, behold, my servants shall be with thy servants,
2 Chronicles 2:9 (KJV) Even to prepare me timber in abundance: for the
house which I am about to build shall be wonderful great.
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