Algum

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Algum, also called almug, is a kind of wood mentioned in the Hebrew Bible. It was used together with cedar and pine to build Solomon’s Temple—for its pillars and for temple instruments (1 Kings 10:12; 2 Chronicles 2:8; 9:10–11). Some translations say it was used for steps rather than pillars, and some scholars think those steps might have had bannisters.

The wood was probably brought by ships from Tarshish, from Ezion-Giber on the Red Sea, from the far country of Ophir, and it was very valuable. The exact tree it came from is not known for sure. Some say it could be juniper (Juniperus). In the Middle East there are several juniper species with similar wood (Greek juniper, stinking juniper, Phoenician juniper, and Syrian juniper), which could have been confused in ancient trade.

A big part of the mystery is where Ophir was. If Ophir was in the Philippines, some think the wood might have been red sandalwood or Pterocarpus santalinus.