Engedi

"Fountain of the kid, place in the wilderness of Judah (Josh." "15:62), on the western shore of the Dead Sea (Ezek. 47:10), and" nearly equidistant from both extremities. To the wilderness near this town David fled for fear of Saul (Josh. 15:62; 1 Sam. "23:29). It was at first called Hazezon-tamar (Gen. 14:7), a city" of the Amorites. "The vineyards of Engedi were celebrated in Solomon's time (Cant. "1:4). It is the modern `Ain Jidy. The "fountain" from which it" derives its name rises on the mountain side about 600 feet above "the sea, and in its rapid descent spreads luxuriance all around" it. Along its banks the osher grows abundantly. That shrub is "thus described by Porter: "The stem is stout, measuring" "sometimes nearly a foot in diameter, and the plant grows to the" height of 15 feet or more. It has a grayish bark and long oval "leaves, which when broken off discharge a milky fluid. The fruit" "resembles an apple, and hangs in clusters of two or three. When" "ripe it is of a rich yellow colour, but on being pressed it" explodes like a puff-ball. It is chiefly filled with air...This "is the so-called `apple of Sodom.'" Through Samaria, etc. (See" [187]APPLE.)