THE BIBLE and CALAMUS vs. CANNABIS:
With the Hebrew words for “calamus” and “cannabis” so similar, and the fact that calamus is of lesser value and also toxic, we must question the validity of the term “calamus” in English versions of Scripture.
The word calamus is found in the KJV three times:
Exodus 30:23 God telling Moses the formula for the anointing oil (250 shekels worth.)
KJV-sweet calamus
NKJV-sweet-smelling cane
ESV-aromatic cane
NASB-fragrant cane
Song of Solomon 4:14, speaking of it in a refreshing garden
Ezekiel 27:19 speaking of cane as merchandise.
The KJV translates the Hebrew word “qaneh” (pronounced kaw-naw’) into “calamus.” Per Strong’s Concordance, “qaneh” means “a reed (as erect); by resemblance a rod (especially for measuring) shaft, tube, stem, (the radius of the arm) beam (of a steelyard): – balance, bone, branch, calamus, cane, reed, spearman, stalk.”
The Hebrew word for “calamus” is “kanah bosm,” which is plural. The singular for this is “kaneh bos,” which sounds remarkably close the modern word “cannabis.”
According to Webster’s New Hebrew dictionary, the current Hebrew word for cannabis is “kanabos.”
Thus, contentions that the KJV possibly interpreted the Hebrew word incorrectly as “calamus” warrant consideration.
If Exodus 30:23 is referring to a monetary value of calamus or cannabis, the “250 shekels” is approximately $125.00 worth (which is 2.5 cents/gerah X 20 gerahs/shekel X 250 shekels in Ex30:23) which is a considerable amount.
* Per the ATS Bible Dictionary (and others), a shekel is a term for either weight or currency (a coin.) A shekel is worth 20 gerahs. A gerah is the smallest weight or coin among the Jews, and worth about two and a half cents.
If the 250 shekels is referring to weight, instead of coinage, it is a considerable amount of whatever it is the KJV is referring to as “calamus.”
While cannabis is non-toxic (not a single death has ever been directly attributed to it, despite much effort being given to document such a fatality), calamus is most definitely a toxin. The FDA banned calamus from uses in food and medicines in 1968 as calamus contains more than 75% asarone. Asarone is a poison which has been shown to cause cancer, and has ill effects on heart, liver and kidney functions. This toxin in callamus is used for pest control. Why would God specify a large quantity of a poison be used in holy anointing oil?
In 1936, Sula Benet, a Polish etymologist from the Institute of Anthropological Sciences in Warsaw revealed solid evidence of the Hebrew use of cannabis. The word “cannabis had previously been thought to be of Scythian origin as Scythians first brought the plant to Europe, but Benet showed it has much earlier origin in Semitic languages like Hebrew. “In the original Hebrew text of the Old Testament there are references to hemp, both as incense, which was an integral part of religious celebration, and as an intoxicant.” Benet demonstrated that the word for cannabis is “kaneh-bosm”, and in traditional Hebrew “kaneh” or “kannabus.” The root “kan” here means “reed” or “hemp”, while “bosm” means “aromatic.” This word appears five times in the Old Testament (Exodus, Song of Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel) and has been mistranslated as “calamus”, a common marsh plant with little monetary value that does not have the qualities or value ascribed to “kaneh-bosm.” The error occurred in the oldest Greek translation of the Hebrew bible, the Septuagint in the 3rd century BC, and was repeated in translations that followed.
It is illogical to assume that a plant as important as cannabis, which is such an incredibly useful source of fiber for textiles, loaded with nutritive oils and medicinal properties while also being non-toxic and ridiculously easy to grow, would have gone unnoticed and would have been ignored by the Judaic religion.
With as many benefits (medicinal and utilitarian) that cannabis has to offer humanity, I contend humanity needs to expedite the end of prohibition of this non-toxic plant.
Bible-believers, specifically, need to thoroughly examine this issue in light of the etymology (the origin of a word and the historical development of its meaning), and the likelihood of mis-translation of “qenah” in the King James Version. WHAT IF God intended cannabis (as opposed to calamus) to be part of the anointing oil?
It’s time we talk about this.
standingupfortruth 
Reblogged this on Nicole R. Boisseau.
Yes this is a topic to be addressed.
The Bible mentions in several passages how Yahweh has smoke and it’s nostrils and many times it mentions the temples filled with smoke
I help people by making cannibas oil to help people.
And to the Christian,Yahuah made the plant for people who are sick.
He made all things..
The Almighty is so good to us!
You may want to check out my Christians and Cannabis Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/467185360122285/?ref=bookmarks
Cannabis saved my husband’s life. All thanks to you for this very cogent explanation.
Praise be to the Almighty!
I’m definitely sympathetic to the cannabis possibility, but just to even the field I wanted to share some facts surrounding the toxicity of calamus and its reception by ancient cultures.
The scientists that initially established the toxicity founded this on a study in which they fed titanic doses of beta-asarone in isolate to rats over a prolonged time-frame. It is precisely because of the absurdity of these doses that the restrictions were ultimately lifted on calamus and it was declared healthy. In fact, wherever this herb is revered in the world, it is regarded as a healer.
“Even with the activation of these metabolites, the carcinogenic potency is very low because of the rapid breakdown of epoxide residues with hydrolase which leaves these compounds inert.”
[Hasheminejad, G., and J. Caldwell. “Genotoxicity of the alkenylbenzenes α− and β-asarone, myristicin and elemicin as determined by the UDS assay in cultured rat hepatocytes.” Food and chemical toxicology 32.3 (1994): 223-231.] ..via Wikipedia
Lastly, I just wanted to mention the ayurvedic stance on each of these herbs, since I find the perspective interesting. Whereas the ancient Indian herbal/dietary classification system regards cannabis as tamasic—meaning it will ultimately lead to inertia, sedentariness and sluggishness after the initial effects wear off, it classifies calamus as sattvic, promoting balance and lightness in the body.
http://www.somamatha.org/ayurvedic-view-of-marijuana.html
I am a fan of cannabis, but I respect calamus too and actually use the root to counteract the tamasic effects of cannabis. I don’t know what was intended in the old Hebrew texts, and the linguistic question is interesting, but I wanted to offer some extra perspective before readers assume Calamus is nothing but “a common marsh plant with little monetary value.” It is, after all, quite possibly the herb that was intended by the text.
Best
I maintain that the quantity of calamus described in Exodus, be it weight or monetary, would be toxic in the holy anointing oil.
Then you’re a real idiot and want to rationalize that the bible promotes cannabis. It does not, it’s b.s. I have nothing against cannabis, if people want to smoke it to get high, do it. If they need it for pain, or for help during cancer treatment, fine. Many good things can come from this plant, CBD oil being one of the best. BUT it’s absurd to twist what the Bible says to justify getting high. Like hell God would of promoted the smoking of marijuana or using it in anointing oil for ceremonial purposes. The Israelites had enough problems staying on the straight and narrow where God was concerned, I’m pretty sure adding marijuana to the mix would have screwed them up worse than they already were and really make them turn to “other gods”. Only a moron with a low I.Q. and low morals would think this way about God and twist what the Bible is telling us.
What a triggered little hateful animal you are lol. Jesus MADE WINE, genius, and if you know even the first thing about reality you will KNOW that alcohol is literally a poison and bad for our society in general. The person with the tiny IQ and totallic illogic is YOU. So what do you think you know about God? God hated Esau and loved Jacob, contrary to how man would see it so go take your arrogant self-righteous posturing and idiotic belief that you KNOW God to the exclusion of everyone else and read your damn Bible.
Your on earth with Rebecca.
It is forbidden to use, from this reading & interpretation and reading the underlining scriptures this oil is not OK and forbidden to use period. It’s not ok
It is not “forbidden to use period.”
In fact, Exodus 30:31 states ” This shall be an holy anointing oil unto me throughout your generations.”
your government forbids you to use it because it AINT PROFITABLE to everything your government endorses
It’s a holy anointing for priests. Are you a priest? Do you know what anointing means? It doesn’t mean grind up in. A blender, roll in a piece of paper and smoke it. Anoint like you anoint yourself with vicks vapor rub.
Matthew 23:8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
I agree! It’s a very controversial topic however God would NOT want humans consuming ANYTHING that will alter our thinking. It clearly says in The Bible that we aren’t to drink FERMENTED wine as well. People tend to twist this to there likes. It literally means GRAPE JUICE SPECIFICALLY NOT FERMENTED grape juice aka: wine.
People are either led to believe or are taught things from the Bible that are simply not true. For instance, the thief on the cross tells Jesus……Luke 23:42 and he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus replied Luke 23:43 verily i say unto thee today, you will be with me in paradise. People take this verse out of context as well. And its a very SIMPLE mistake of the comma placement.
When you read that passage and dont see ANY commas in that sentence, what does it look like? It looks like Jesus is telling the thief “TODAY YOU WILL BE WITH ME IN PARADISE” it looks like hes going to heaven TODAY, as in THAT VERY DAY. And that was not true at all. It simply says “Verily i say unto thee TODAY, you will be with me in paradise” which means in THAT MOMENT TODAY, I’m telling you that you will be in paradise with me. Does that make sense?
The Bible is quite tricky if we dont study it correctly and constantly. I really do believe that cannabis has a lot of healing properties and benefits but i know in my heart that God would NOT encourage us to smoke that! It’s just another question i have on my very long list of things to ask him when i make it to Heaven! God Bless everyone! Please dont be offended by my post, I’m just trying to do my part with spreading the correct information as i know it. I am NOT saying that I’m 100% correct either! It’s just my thoughts, my beliefs and wanted to share. May God bless everyone! Stay healthy, stay happy!
Look in the bible, the Book of SIRACH, Chapter 38
I do not see that God said anything about “smoking cannabis’, it was stated in Exodus 30:22 “This shall be an holy anointing oil unto me throughout your generations.” An anointing oil, not a weed to be smoked. It is an oil to be applied to the skin or taken internally. The oil is healthy and not something that will make you “high”. So, God was stating that the cannabis is for health, it is especially so when combined with the other spices and herbs and olive oil.
No. The bible doesn’t say that.
There are several warnings about strong drink, but to make the claim that the bible “clearly says” no one is to ever have fermented wine is simply not true.
The “best” wine (which was Yahushua’s first miracle) is NOT unfermented/new; it is aged and fermented, perfectly.
Typically the “best” wine is served first, with cheaper bottles coming out later. In this case, His first miracle, the “best” wine was served last. Absolutely nothing, but your own prejudice, suggests the “best” wine was not perfectly fermented.
Proverbs 31:6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. 7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
Prayer tents were a thing. They were small, confined spaces, and INCENSE was used. That means the smoked fragrance would be inhaled. Cannabis is described as a “sweet, fragrant, reed/herb”. It’s medicinal uses are exceptional, perhaps the most of any known plant.
Genesis 1:29 Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.
Natural cannabis is a seed-bearing plant.
Food provides sustenance.
Cannabis is the most useful plant I’ve ever encountered.
As for the thief on the cross, the point is, that thief would be with Yahushua in paradise, sans any act or work he could possibly do.
I don’t know what side I stand by on the Marijuana topic, however I know for a fact that you’re wrong about wine. Wine is not grape juice. Wine is wine. Read a little deeper in your Bible and you’ll see what I’m saying if you’re willing to. Jesus turned water into wine. We know this story. It was a bridal party wherein many had gotten drunk. Wine was low, Jesus performed a miracle. The wine was so notably better than what was first served, the king was shocked. Even a drunkard would know the difference between grape juice and wine. That’s point one. Second point, why does the Bible say not to be drunk with wine if wine is merely grape juice. Thirdly, I cannot remember the verse, but the Bible mentions beer and using it during a time of mourning. Was it beer or grain water? Would you drink grain water? Most wouldn’t be interested in it. New wine = grape juice. It’s the wine that has not yet fermented. Hence why new wine shouldn’t be place in old wineskin. If this is done the skin will burst because of the process of fermentation. Why would they keep old wineskin for old wine if they didn’t use it?
Delores, have you not heard of incense?
How ’bout prayer tents?
ikempen, yes, I have heard of incense and I know what it is. My parents used to burn incense for the aroma. I do not know about incense in relation to the healing oil described in Exodus 30:22. Are you saying that cannabis was burned to become incense?
Yes, prayer tents are where people have gathered to pray and honor God.
My original reply was to those who were stating that cannabis was being used, as many people use it today, to smoke and get high, instead of an oil for anointing and for healing.
You must not have heard about this archeological discovery in the holiest ancient temple in Jerusalem then. They most certainly used cannabis there in rituals.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/28/world/tel-arad-shrine-israel-cannabis-study-scn/index.html
Reblogged this on yael58.
Reblogged this on COMMON SENSE.
Such a shame that we sometimes will put our FLESHLY DESIRES BEFORE THE TRUTH OF YAHWAYS WORD. NO WAY WOULD HE ASK OF COMMAND WE USE ANYTHING HARMFUL TO YOUR BODY. HE MADE IT HD SHOULD KNOW! CANNIBUS IS MADE NOT GROWN. RESEARCH IT. YOU MUST KILL THE MALE AND USE THE FEMALE. PART OF THE PLANT. CULTIVATED BY MAN!!!RESEARCH FIRST PLEASE.
Ann, My father had cancer and took opiods (oxy) for pain. At the time I didn’t really understand what opiods where. But there made by man and millions of people are addicted to them. But because its approved by the FDA its legal. Man decided to demonize Cannibus and legalize opiods, So your argument is completely full of propaganda for the simple fact that you left out how harmful man made prescription drugs are. You left that out completely and im ashamed of people that cant tell the entire truth as if they have something to gain by demonizing what keeps proving to by beneficial.. So beneficial the drug industry spends millions of dollars to put out disinformation about the affects of cannibus. While doing exactly what the cigarette industry did to conceal the death sentence associated with there product. Unless you are a very well paid executive for big pharma I would ask you, what is your point to literally splitting hairs about cannibus being grown by man. Its a plant..its not manufactured. its not synthetic, its not artificial, Its actually grown.
God made all things and therefore all things are good..1timothy 1:10
so if things that god made are perceived as “bad”, it’s because “man” has twisted them from their original intent and purpose…
Cultivation, grafting, selective harvesting….these are observational (experience & perception) tools used and passed along as knowledge. These are things we as humans do with a specific intent or set of intentions. Animals and insects do it out of instinct, pavlovian life conditionings, or as a result of the natural patterns that occur in the natural interactions between self-animated beings and their environmental surroundings.
Intentional misinformation is manipulation, unintentional misinformation is ignorance.
We are talking about a collection of information, experiences, and moral evolution meant to help us navigate the earth, navigate our emotional and intectual responses to outside influences, navigate the waters and navigate human interaction.
We have been given an business cards worth of information and people are besides themselves with ‘truth’ ‘reality’ ‘gods word’ ‘certainty’ …
Hemp is more textile in utilization.
Cannabis is more physiological in application.
Two ways to experience life:
Sights,sounds,smells,touch,taste ( the senses, environmental surroundings )
Sensory deprivation ( the mind, solitary cognition )
Bottom line is that manipulation of the senses will result in a different situational experience , alteration in perception and responses or reactions, and it can be the catalyst for dynamic change.
Thanks for the Dank Buds, God !
Have you had cancer? I have. Whether they actually used cannibas in the Bible or not does not take away from the fact that cannibas is in fact one of the most useful plants God has put on this planet. The powers that be would rather I take medicantions that have worse side effects that the reasons I am taking them for. Cannibas DOES NOT. I AM A NON-JUDGING CHRISTIAN, ARE YOU? OR ARE YOU A SALES REP FOR BIG PHARM?
SERIOUSLY if you are sitting there judging any of us who have had a need for it medically, by all means please be the one who throws that first stone.
Stop trying to make stuff up to fit what you believe. Cannabis is GOD made, not man made. You can literally plant a seed, grow the plant and use ALL parts of that plant. I know that you’ve been fed “marijuana is bad” all your life through big pharma and government, but that’s just it you took their word for it. Who makes money off pharmaceutical drugs? Surely not the people. It’s the ones that fed you lies that are the ones making the big bucks off actual drugs. Cannabis is not mind altering, another illusion you’ve been fed. It is a healer. You don’t even need the THC to be the healer, CBD does that all on its own and has ZERO affect on the mind. Hemp, also from the cannabis plant, is used to make ALL kinds of stuff for daily life. I think you need to do some real research into it instead of taking big pharmas word for it. Maybe even try it for yourself before judging something you do not know.
I do not need to to have cancer to have understanding; just as I don’t need to be male to fight for the importance of fathers.
“The powers that be” you cite, are motivated by greed, which remains the root of all evil. Big pharma has no interest in healing you. Chemotherapy is a euphemism for intentional chemical poisoning. We don’t heal ourselves by consuming poison.
Scripture warns us that pharmaceuticals are sorcery, and something we are to avoid. Cannabis, on the other hand, is a seed bearing plant, which the Creator provided us for numerous purposes, and told us it was good. Government has no valid reason to keep this non-toxic plant from anyone; their motivation in doing so is greed, which is the root of all evil. This miraculous plant is possibly the most useful plant on Earth, therefore holding tremendous profitability — THAT is why cannabis is prohibited.
Government gets its authority from the consent of the governed; I for one, do not consent to cannabis prohibition, nor do I believe government has just dominion to keep this miraculous plant from anyone. Our 1st, 2nd and 5th amendments attest to our God-given right to cannabis, as does our natural right to life, as affirmed in the Declaration of Independence. Frankly, cannabis prohibition itself is a chargeable offense, as racketeering as well as a crime against humanity.
Jesus MADE WINE, fool. Alcohol is LITERALLY POISON. Go read your Bible and increase your IQ while you’re at it.
Matthew 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
No need to holler.
Cannabis is most definitely “grown” not “made.”
Perhaps you should heed your own advice, and research.
It is a seed bearing plant, and it doesn’t NEED man to cultivate it;
it literally “grows like a weed.”
Both male and female plants have their own medicinal properties.
Those seeking THC will prefer the flowering female, but that doesn’t mean it is not “grown”, or not a seed bearing plant.
Furthermore, it is utterly non-toxic, while also being nutritious as well as medicinal.
I do not understand the points you are attempting to articulate here.
You acknowledge Yahweh created cannabis, but what do you mean by it is “made not grown”?
Genesis 1:29 And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.
I never suggested we are “commanded to use” cannabis, (and use of holy anointing oil is not a command), but you seem to be suggesting cannabis is harmful, when truthfully it is a super-food that is utterly non-toxic. Please research the properties of this miraculous plant before making such false claims. In contrast, Scripture warns us about pharmaceuticals, wisely referring to them as “sorcery”.
What are you suggesting is wrong with cultivation?
The new world dictionary is of the new world order of the illuminati. An order of evil and deception. The 1611 kjv got it right. Calamus isn’t toxic. Nearly every county uses it except the USA. The FDA found out how much demand there is for cannabis (a plant that is offered to idols and has 2 pagan gods named for it.) I used to be part of the MPP and knew about their plan to convince people that cannabis is hemp and in the bible. When it’s not.
If Calamus isn’t toxic and Kaneh-bosn is really Cannabis (which apparently is not Marijuana) they are both plants created by God for our purposes. As usual, what God has made good, Satan takes and uses it for corruption and destruction. The only advice in the Bible that I am aware of regarding things of this nature is “…..be not drunk with wine”. In other words, do not overindulge to the point of not being in control of your faculties …… it’s good for your stomach in moderation, and gives a merry heart etc. Since nothing is said about Calamus/Cannabis/Kaneh-bos (the “n” makes it plural) I would assume that it is good when used for purposes to better the body rather than to get high and not be in control of our senses, values, morals and obligations. When nothing is said about a topic or not forbidden in God’s word and if we REALLY DESIRE God’s will in our lives, the Holy Spirit will direct us in the path we should go ….. the Apostle Paul said let no man judge you concerning, what you eat, what you drink, what day you worship and what holidays you observe etc. Medical professionals in the know have always said that there are pain receptacles in the body that if you are in pain …. the Cannabis will latch on to them and there is no chance of addiction … whereas if Cannabis is used recreationally, the Cannabis is not attaching to those pain receptors and therefore addiction can occur. I am a 75 year old born again Christian (of 60 years) who has never smoked Marijuana in my life and was not a drinker ….. I am in excruciating pain, have tried CBD Oil in the past 2 years, found it worked but the amount it took to work was un-affordable…..so this past summer I grew some and am making my own concoctions. Praise God for His mercies!
My father died of prostate cancer in 2010 he did radiaton and chemo therapy and for the pain he was prescribed oxycodone or otherwise known as an opiod. I look back and wish so much that I would have offered him cannabis for the simple affect of side affects and appetite, he stopped eating and eventually like all patients became addicted to opiods and had never done any drugs his entire life. Im a blood washed believer and im tired of this world making pharma drugs acceptable and cannibus is demonized. Opiods kill people and destroy them over time, Its time that we tell the truth. God’s word does not speak against marijuana and if used appropriately can be a good thing
I’m sorry to hear about your father’s passing.
Chemo and radiation are brutal; frankly, I don’t understand how they are legal.
I last my Dad to Alzheimers the same year you lost yours, and feel the same, that cannabis should have been used to help him.
Anything can be abused. Cannabis prohibition is not about “safety”. It is literally safer to consume than water. It’s about greed, aka the love of money. Cannabis prohibition is easily proven to be based on ridiculous lies, and it renders the Controlled Substances Act incredible. Government has no valid reason to keep this miraculous God granted, non-toxic, plant from anyone. Their only jurisdiction over it is commerce.
Those who practice pharmakeia will not inherit the kingdom of Heaven.
I think there are really three questions here: one about translation, one about the practice of medicine , and one about interpretation for today.
First, translation: The word pharmakeia is very much like our word for ‘drugs’: that is, it can refer to many things. When I use the word “drugs” I can be referring to Tylenol (which can be purchased over the counter) or to prescription drugs (which require the oversight of a physician), but I can also be referring to illegal drugs (such as meth). Which I am referring to will depend entirely on context; generally, when someone uses the word ‘drugs’ they have a specific meaning in mind rather than all three. The word pharmakeia is much the same. It has a range of meanings. It can refer to magic, but it very often refers to the practice of medicine or what might be called healing arts (see Liddell and Scott, a Greek-English Lexicon). It does not refer to both of these things at the same time. It depends on context. In the New Testament the word pharmekeia occurs three times (Gal 5:19-21; Rev 9:21; 18:23). Each time, it is translated as ‘sorcery’ or ‘magic’ and it is something that is spoken of in negative terms. The translators have chosen this definition because of the context. This does not mean that every possible definition of the word phramekeia is condemned. It depends on context.
Second, you ask if the practice of medicine is condemned in the New Testament. By no means. There are two verses that point to a positive view of the practice of medicine: “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.” (Matt 9:12; Mark 2:7; Luke 5:31). Why say that the sick have need of a physician if medicine is condemned? And Colossians 4:14 brings greetings from “Luke, the physician.” Why would Luke’s profession as a physician be mentioned if it were viewed as inappropriate or tantamount to sorcery? The New Testament certainly recognizes that healing can occur in other ways besides through the care of a physician: Jesus is presented as the quintessential healer. Both Mark and Luke tell a story about a woman who had been ill for many years and who had seen many physicians, none of whom were able to help here (Mark 5:26; Luke 8:43). This does not condemn the medical profession; rather it describes the desperate state of the woman.
Third: interpretation for today. Healing is a complex process. Most any physician today would agree with this and I believe such a view is present also in the New Testament. It involves individuals such as family or friends who support us (think of the four friends who carry the paralytic to Jesus); it involves treatment by physicians and licensed mental health care specialists and may include the appropriate use of specific drugs; it involves faith – that is, trust in God; it also involves our own willingness to engage in actions and activities that promote health.
In new (not in old) Swedish translation of Philippians 4:18, Paul says that he is thankful for the gift, a smoke-producing incense, that Epaphroditus brought to him (in English translation it says it was not a physical gift, instead the love that Epaphroditus showed to Paul was like a mellow fragrance that is pleasant to God (which could be a mistranslation considering that they probably used kanabos in the old temples; but it might be a correct translation because kanabis doesn’t smell nice, it smells skunk). So what do you people think is that fragrance Paul mentions?
It is interesting to consider different translations, and I’d like to learn more of where the Swedish translation derived its content, but I don’t look to newer translations for clarity; I try to revert back to the most original source, being Greek, Hebrew, and/or Aramaic, for the most thorough understanding. Newer translations can stray dramatically from the original intent, some even eliminate the diety of the Most High (all change or genericize His name)!
Historical documents also substantiate the notion that cannabis was used as incense for religious purposes, including in tiny prayer tents. The “an odour of a sweet smell, ” referenced in Phillippians 4:18 certainly has a likelihood of being cannabis. Though I differ with your opinion on the “niceness” of the smell of cannabis; I think it is wonderfully fragrant, in the raw as well as when ignited. Perhaps what beauty is to the eye of the beholder, the fragrance of cannabis can be to the nose.
People the phrases an fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God are in the genitive case in the original Greek, which means that they are describing the qualities of their gifts as sacrificial offerings to the Lord. Paul was referring to the fact that when Christians give it is a sacrifice to God and he was alluding to that fact by using exactly the same words used in the sacrificial law passages of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. I understand your frustration with government dictated health care practices, but it would be wise to ensure that you have a sound understanding of the source material you use. It empowers your credibility.
Dr. Davis
Dr. Davis, I am struggling to get a handle on this etymological argument. Can you flesh out more of what you’re stating here? I want to make sure I can follow you.
The claim that the Bible refers to cannabis and not calamus seems very bogus to me. It seems more likely to be a fringe idea popularized by Vice. There is nothing sweet smelling about cannabis. It is a nasty, smelling plant–skunky, like another commenter said.
Plus, why defer to the King James version? What about St. Jerome’s translation? The Latin Vulgate?
Additionally, we have to ask: what did Sula Benet have to gain from suggesting this notion?
I do not deny the use of cannabis in history. I approve of medical marijuana and hemp use. But I think this play with biblical terms is just a cheap trick of recreational marijuana pushers.
Great article. Yaweh created cannibas and with many things gave to us to benefit from. We still have to be responsible in our behavior and keep Him first.
Have you considered the Scythians being Israel is dispersea? Israel disappears from the land of Palestine around 721 BC and the Scythians appear on the other side of the caucus mountains out of nowhere during the same time period.
Bringing cannibas with them on their track to Europe.
The problem with this is using man’s logic to try to explain something God told man to do. We have no idea of why God says do this or that when He does, and we don’t have to. If God said use this Calamus root, using it would be perfectly fine no matter what it’s toxicity normally is. That is what would make perfect sense. It didn’t make sense to try to cross the Red Sea. It didn’t make sense to tell a king to bathe in the Jordan River, the dirtiest of them all, to get healed from leprosy. Sometime God tells us to do things that don’t make sense TO US, but our obedience produces something great! To act like God could have asked us to use something harmful to us normally and try to apply our human understanding to say that He wouldn’t do that is to limit God to our understanding, which means God would never be God if what He did or told us to do had to make sense to us. Besides that, IF a person wanted to interpret that and change the calamus to cannabis, the oil still wasn’t for man to use the way cannabis is used now. There were specific instructions for a specific purpose. Of course cannabis has some great properties, but don’t try to tie it into what God did then or does now. When Jesus healed people He just spoke it. God made all things, but that doesn’t mean we should take all things and use them all kinds of ways. He made poison ivy, but I do t see anyone recommending people to eat that. There are natural remedies all over the world. They don’t have to be tied into scripture to make them sound like God wants us to use them.
Poison Ivy certainly DOES have benefits.
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-468/poison-ivy
If weed isn’t good medicine, why are so many people getting well? I haven’t heard a bunch of horror stories coming out of the states that have approved it. Congress, stop dragging your feet! Or are all of you busy making money off your drug company stock!
It would appear that you wanted to believe it so badly, wrong things are associated together.
In Exodus, the oil is not for ingestion but for anointing, and made according to a perfumer’s way. The oil were to made for many, therefore the large amount.
No offense. But concerning Cannabis, it really doesn’t make a darn bit of difference what you “feel, think or would like to be the true” concerning the ingredients of the Lord’s anointing oil. The ONLY thing that matters is what exactly is the Truth. I have read many essays and comments concerning whether Cannabis is truly one of the ingredients of the Anointing Oil of the bible. i can honestly tell you that I am not yet convinced, one way or the other at this point. I believe if I had contacts with a few high up, Godly Rabbis in Israel that they could lead me to the real truth in this matter. Unfortunately, I do not have such contacts. May the Lord, (Yeshua Hamashiach) lead all Christians to the Truth as He intended…..and may God bless y’all.
But God, made the tree of GOOD and BAD he told ADAM and EVE of this tree u shall not eat of which also says the NARROW road and the WIDE road that many lead to but the WINE JESUS made had no alcohol in it think no drunker can enter the kingdom of GOD when JOHN the Baptist before he was born the ANGEL said to his MOTHER he is not going to taste any WINE or drink so its up to the person what they choose to do in their life do u know who is doing all this is one of GODS enemy the loaves that were eaten during the time of the fishes it was laven bread no yeast it was pure Did u know that JESUS has a brother that is the evil one he dosent LOVE JESUS GOD BLESS U ALL
It would be much more easy to understand all of the above arguments if you would all learn to spell correctly!
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I noticed alot of comments on here about Jesus made wine and wine is poisonous cause of the alcohol content. We must get away from our english language of thinking and go straight to the greek language for the new testament was written. In greek wine is oinus. Which can mean either fermented or non fermented juice/wine. It would be hard for me to believe Jesus made the water into an alcohol based drink. Scripture mentions new wine. New wine was non fermented. The best wine. So the scriptures in the greek calls it wine which can be either what we today call juice or alcohol based wine.
“New wine” is not, and was not, the “best wine.” The best wine is perfectly aged, and yes, fermented.
I used cannabis from age 14 to 47.I’m 62 now and know it gets you closer to satan than GOD.
The only way this nutritious, non-toxic plant would “get you closer to Satan” is if that was your inclination in the first place.
BAM!!!! End of debate, and time to rewrite this blog:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-52847175?fbclid=IwAR3LzTTU7e6aUqBdz7nlIv8FM5wCk4R6xL7xTjbZVCZ5acuW9708x-lDY7Y
God’s truth about marijuana As for Holy oil no cannabis, cannabis is a weed, not a herb, not a spice, no makeup at all for a sweet smelling oil.
I disagree.
As explained in the blog, the term kanneh bosm was likely misinterpreted as calamus in scripture.
Cannabis is definitely an herb, which is defined by Meriam-Webster as “a seed-producing annual, biennial, or perennial that does not develop persistent woody tissue but dies down at the end of a growing season.”
Dictionary.com defines an herb as “a flowering plant whose stem above ground does not become woody. such a plant when valued for its medicinal properties, flavor, scent, or the like.” If sage and rosemary are herbs, so is cannabis.
While cannabis grows easily, without fertilizer or pesticides and even in poor soil, the only thing that makes something a “weed” is that it is considered “undesirable.” Weeds, too, have medicinal qualities.
If you get high on it , it is a product of “After the fall of man.” The Creator wouldn’t have something like that in the garden that Adam and Eve, (male and female) would be eating. People that don’t even believe in Him sure do use His word to twist it to fit their sinful desires.
If you read further in exodus chapter 30 the Lord specifically states it is a holy anointing oil and not to be put on the skin of people and that if you do you will be cut off. It was meant specifically for the priests and the tabernacle. No one else.
Reblogged this on wolfshadowwhispers and commented:
So cannabis is mentioned in the Bible… interesting
Fascinating. Had to reblog!
I assumed this fact before reading anywhere as am reaseaching it out.
Anointing oil and incense must have contained cannabis and only be used strictly for Kings and Priests.
For instance Saul inhale considerable amount of it from smoke of incense in the palace and wanted to kill David with his spear. The same happened to David, whose effect was the composing and singing the Psalms.
Individual ingredients are not “the anointing oil.” We are not to imitate an oil with like quantities of ingredients and use it casually.
I have reason to believe cannabis was used as incense in the small prayer tents.
I have nothing against cannabis but I assure you it contained Calamus. Calamus is less toxic when applied as salve or anointing oil. When done correctly calamus can induce an ecstasy (MDA or MDMA) like high. When applied as a salve compounds skip a phenomenon known as the livers first pass. This makes things stronger in the body. OTO and other occult groups use this formula for initiates. I can’t recall their name for it but it was mentioned in the book Sex Rockets and the Occult world of Jack Parson.
Furthermore, cannabis is not active until it is decarboxylated. That’s why you got to bake your weed in brownies for it to work. What’s lacking here is an understanding of chemistry and biochemistry. The individual who spoke in this thread about the toxicity studies is correct.
So what I’m trying to say, is it is Calamus as stated in scripture, and when processed and applied appropriately will produce an ecstasy.
And underground chemist going by the name Uncle Fester has posted a recipe online for the process of making a euphoriant from Calamus. Though he uses chemicals that weren’t available to Moses, the process Moses used would create a narcotic.
https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/what-is-decarboxylation
That’s simply not true. Calamus would be toxic in the quantities used in the holy anointing oil, unlike cannabis which is utterly non-toxic. Cannabis is exceedingly healing and nutritious, unlike calamus. I already explained how the word could be, and was, easily mistranslated as calamus.
Well, I sure wouldn’t call pot , as sweet smell. It stinks and people smell bad when it’s on their clothing, just as bad as cigarettes! Also, people try to justify ANYTHING by the Bible, when they don’t even believe in it. THAT IS MOCKING HIM. They use it and twist His Words to fit their purpose.
If that is true ( don’t think so) about it being in scripture, it would NOT be intended to smoke and get “high” as the Creator YHWH is totally against that. He says Don’t get drunk, but you can drink a bit. So pot would have to made into a cream or oil only.
Druggies will say anything or use HIS SACRED WORD to condone their sins.
Nope ! That garbage stinks and no way would the Creator say it is a pleasing aroma.
The Lord commanded Moses to make an holy anointing oil. The holy anointing oil included myrrh oil, cinnamon oil, cannabis oil and olive oil. As cannabis oil is basically odorless, I imagine the compound would have a sweet aroma.
Think about this. Cannabis is also a soluble fat so it can be stepped into any type of oil to get the most effect from it. I believe Jesus used cannabis oil mixed with cinnamon and other natural herbs for the body like myrrh. He could heal anyone with supernatural powers but if the Father made cannabis which we know he did for us then it could be used on those with epilepsy and other elements. We have an amazing endocannabiniod system. There are key holes in the body. THC is the key to unlock good health. I have already lost 70 lbs since I started taking it medically. Search THCV!
They were using kaneh bosm which is kannabos= cannabis. Look what archeologists discovered in the most sacred temple in Jerusalem. There was no pipes back then so cannabis was put on a plate & lit up during rituals.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/28/world/tel-arad-shrine-israel-cannabis-study-scn/index.html
I became aware of these facts a few years ago through my own study. My heart leaped with joy to see another find the truth.
How wonderful!
I know that feeling.
Thank you for the comment.
I don’t post often, but I post truth.