Gems to Treasure of Seashells and Friendship

Gems to Treasure of Seashells and Friendship by Harlan Wittkopf is fun gift book about, well, seashells and friends. If you enjoy combing the beach or if you have a nature loving friend, this would be an excellent present.

We had an interesting discussion before this book was published regarding seashells and Scripture. Because of his seashell books and his love for Christ, Harlan has keyed in on the few texts that talk about beach. Our discussion centered around Deuteronomy 33 -

And of Zebulun he said,
“Rejoice, Zebulun, in your going out, and Issachar, in your tents.
They shall call peoples to their mountain; there they offer right sacrifices;
for they draw from the abundance of the seas and the hidden treasures of the sand.” [vv 18-19 (ESV)]

Since the region these tribes were to inhabit was the Cis-Jordan side of Northern Israel (even though the tribes failed to conquer it), the hidden treasures of the sand is more than likely - seashells - spiny dye-murex shells to be a bit more exact. The treasure is in the bit of liquid these mollusks contain that can be used to make a deep scarlet/indigo dye. While some have alluded that the "hidden treasure" refers to glass (from sand) or treasure from sunken vessels, the fame of the city of Tyre (along the coast of northern Israel) is Tyrian Purple. The Phoenician people, who settled the region, derive their name from this color. The Minoans apparently loved it, the Romans loved it, and certain Roman Emperors forbade anyone else wearing it.

Just a little bonus on Deuteronomy 33.

Thanks for the book Harlan - we love it!