TAPPUACH (tap'-pu-ak). (Heb. tafi t oirakh), translated 'apple' in the A. V., has been the subject of considerable difference of opinion among authors on Biblical botany.
Most admit that apple is not the correct trans lation, for that fruit is indifferent in Palestine, being produced of good quality only on Mount Lebanon, and in Damascus. Many contend that 'quince' is the correct translation of tappitach. Though somewhat more suitable than the apple, we think that neither the quince tree nor fruit is so superior to others as to be selected for no tice in the passages of Scripture where tafifinach occurs. The citron seems to have the best claim to be considered the tappuach of Scripture, as it was esteemed by the ancients, and known to the Hebrews, and conspicuously different, both as a fruit and a tree, from the ordinary vegetation of Syria. and the only one of the orange tribe which was known to the ancients. The orange, lemon,
and lime, were introduced to the knowledge of Europeans at a much later period, probably by the Arabs from India (Royle, Himal. Bat.). The tappuach, or citron-tree, is mentioned chiefly in the Canticles, eh. ii :3, 'as the citron tree among the trees of the wood ;' ver. 5, 'Comfort me with citrons, for I am sick of love ;' vii:8, 'The smell of thy nose like citrons ;' so in viii :5. Again, in Prov. xxv:i 1, 'A word fitly spoken is like ap ples of gold (or rather golden citrons) in baskets of silver.' In Joel i :12, it is enumerated with the vine, the fig tree, the palm, and pomegranate, as among the most valuable trees of Palestine. The rich color, fragrant odor, and handsome appear ance of the tree, whether in flower or in fruit, are particularly suited to all the above passages of Scripture. (See APPLE.) J. F. R.