Old Testament aloe, or Eaglewood is native to tropical Asia. Agallochum is the heartwood of the Eaglewood tree. The tree called aloe has a big, sprawling shape. The extreme center is dark in color and has a strong, pleasant fragrance. Outer, younger branches are white without any scent. This tree is found in northern India and grows to a height of 120 feet. Herodotus noted this tree's great value. In the East the lovely grained wood was highly prized and costly. Polish added to its lustrous beauty. The softer inner wood could be set with precious stones. Just the wood itself, an ancient times, was worth its weight in gold. Once popular was the belief that this was the only tree left from the garden of Eden. According to this legend Adam carried one of the tree's shoots from the garden and that every aloe tree descended from it. Thus, the aloe tree is given the names Shoot of Paradise or Paradise Wood.
Reference: All the Plants of the Bible, W. Walker
Numbers 24:6 (KJV) As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river's side, as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD hath planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters.
Psalms 45:7 (KJV) Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
Psalms 45:8 (KJV) All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.
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