Colocynth

The colocynth, or gourd, is a delicate, pumpkin-like plant. It was used mainly for medicinal purposes. The plant grew in the wilderness, through the whole of the Mediterranean.

The name for colocynth in Hebrew is related to the verb “to burst”. That is because the fruit bursts open when ripe. These days, it is not only called “colocynth” but also “bitter apple”.

The colocynth was not eaten. In ancient times it was dried out and then used as medicine. In 2 Kings 4:39 we are told that it was made into stew, but that was not customary. It is clear from this story that the plant was poisonous, but that was the case only if you ate many of them.
In Solomon’s Temple were carvings with colocynths and flowers (see 1 Kings 6:18).