Algum

Solomon’s temple was built with timber from far away. The KJV calls one of the woods algum, and also almug, and says the ships of Hiram brought it from Ophir with gold and precious stones. Solomon’s builders cut it into “pillars for the house of the LORD” and into harps and psalteries for singers, as 1 Kings 10:12 reads. In 2 Chronicles 2:8 he asks Hiram for algum trees from Lebanon as well. The wood is never described, only used, and mostly for worship. Read 1 Kings 10:11-12 first, where it arrives by sea.

5 verses

1 Kings

1 Kings 10:11

And the navy also of Hiram, that brought gold from Ophir, brought in from Ophir great plenty of almug trees, and precious stones.

1 Kings 10:12

And the king made of the almug trees pillars for the house of the LORD, and for the king's house, harps also and psalteries for singers: there came no such almug trees, nor were seen unto this day.

2 Chronicles

2 Chronicles 2:8

Send me also cedar trees, fir trees, and algum trees, out of Lebanon: for I know that thy servants can skill to cut timber in Lebanon; and, behold, my servants shall be with thy servants,

2 Chronicles 9:10

And the servants also of Huram, and the servants of Solomon, which brought gold from Ophir, brought algum trees and precious stones.

2 Chronicles 9:11

And the king made of the algum trees terraces to the house of the LORD, and to the king's palace, and harps and psalteries for singers: and there were none such seen before in the land of Judah.

From Easton's Bible Dictionary

Matthew George Easton, 1897

(2 Chr. 2:8; 9:10,11), the same as almug (1 Kings 10:11).

From Smith's Bible Dictionary

William Smith, 1884

the former occurring in (2 Chronicles 2:8; 9:10,11) the latter in (1 Kings 10:11,12) These words are identical. From (1 Kings 10:11,12; 2 Chronicles 9:10,11) we learn that the almug was brought in great plenty from Ophir for Solomon’s temple and house, and for the construction of musical instruments. It is probable that this tree is the red sandle wood, which is a native of India and Ceylon. The wood is very heavy, hard and fine grained, and of a beautiful garnet color.