Mandrake, the Love Apple, and the World’s Religions

  • John M. Riddle
Chapter

Abstract

Genesis 30: 14–17: In the days of wheat harvest Reuben went and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them to his mother Leah. Then Rachel [Leah’s younger sister] said to Leah, “Give me, I pray, some of your son’s mandrakes.” But she said to her, “Is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband [Jacob]? Would you take away my son’s mandrakes also?” Rachel said, “Then he may lie with you tonight for your son’s mandrakes.” When Jacob came from the field in the evening, Leah went out to meet him, and said, “You must come in to me; for I have hired you with my son’s mandrakes.” So he lay with her that night. And God hearkened to Leah, and she conceived and bore Jacob a sixth son. [Rev. Standard trans.]

Keywords

Tropane Alkaloid Eleventh Century Medical Writer Solanaceae Family Comatose State 
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Notes

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© John M. Riddle 2010

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