from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
bdellium \bdel"lium\, n. [L., fr. Gr. bde`llion; cf. Heb.
b'dolakh bdellium (in sense 1).]
1. An unidentified substance mentioned in the Bible (--Gen.
ii. 12, and --Num. xi. 7), variously taken to be a gum, a
precious stone, or pearls, or perhaps a kind of amber
found in Arabia.
[1913 Webster]
2. A gum resin of reddish brown color, brought from India,
Persia, and Africa.
[1913 Webster]
Note: {Indian bdellium} or {false myrrh} is an exudation from
{Balsamodendron Roxburghii}. Other kinds are known as
{African bdellium}, {Sicilian bdellium}, etc.
[1913 Webster]
from
Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary
Bdellium
occurs only in Gen. 2:12, where it designates a product of the
land of Havilah; and in Num. 11:7, where the manna is likened to
it in colour. It was probably an aromatic gum like balsam which
exuded from a particular tree (Borassus flabelliformis) still
found in Arabia, Media, and India. It bears a resemblance in
colour to myrrh. Others think the word denotes "pearls," or some
precious stone.