JUNIPER ( rôthem ) is undoubtedly the Arab. [Note: Arabic.] ratam , a species of broom very common in desert places in Palestine and Sinai. This broom ( Retama retem ) is in many such places the only possible shade; it sometimes attains a height of 7 to 8 feet ( 1 Kings 19:5 ). The root is still burned to furnish charcoal ( Psalms 120:4 ). In Job 30:4 mention is made of the roots being cut up for food. As they are bitter and nauseous and contain very little nourishment, this vividly pictures the severity of the famine in the wilderness.
E. W. G. Masterman.