What in the world are Mandrakes?
What are the mandrakes mentioned in the bible and why are they associated with sex? Genesis 30:14-16 New International Version (NIV) 14 During wheat harvest, Reuben went out into the fields and found some mandrake plants, which he brought to his mother Leah. Rachel said to Leah, “Please give me some of your son’s mandrakes.” 15 But she said to her, “Wasn’t it enough that you took away my husband? Will you take my son’s mandrakes too?” “Very well,” Rachel said, “he can sleep with you tonight in return for your son’s mandrakes.” 16 So when Jacob came in from the fields that evening, Leah went out to meet him. “You must sleep with me,” she said. “I have hired you with my son’s mandrakes.” So he slept with her that night. Mandrake comes from the Hebrew word "duwday" H1736 It is a fruit, referred to often as a love-apple, because it was used as an aphrodisiac. People believed not only that it increased your sexual desire but also that it made you more fertile. ...