Calamus, often referred to in biblical texts, is a fragrant plant that holds significant importance in the context of ancient Hebrew culture and religious practices. The term "calamus" is derived from the Hebrew word "qaneh," which means "reed" or "stalk." It is mentioned in several passages of the Bible, primarily in the context of sacred anointing oils and perfumes.

Biblical References:

1. Exodus 30:23 · In the instructions given to Moses for the preparation of the sacred anointing oil, calamus is listed as one of the key ingredients. The Berean Standard Bible states: "Take the finest spices: 500 shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much (250 shekels) of fragrant cinnamon, 250 shekels of fragrant calamus."

2. Song of Solomon 4:14 · Calamus is mentioned as part of the luxurious and aromatic imagery used to describe the beloved's garden. The BSB reads: "nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with all the trees of frankincense, myrrh and aloes, with all the finest spices."

3. Ezekiel 27:19 · In a passage describing the wealth and trade of Tyre, calamus is noted as a traded commodity. The BSB states: "and casks of wine from Izal they exchanged for your wares: wrought iron, cassia, and calamus."

Cultural and Religious Significance:

Calamus was highly valued in ancient times for its aromatic properties. It was used in the preparation of incense and anointing oils, which were integral to the worship and ritual practices of the Israelites. The inclusion of calamus in the sacred anointing oil underscores its importance in the consecration of priests and sacred objects, symbolizing purity and holiness.

The plant is believed to be Acorus calamus, also known as sweet flag, which grows in marshy areas. Its aromatic rhizomes were harvested and used for their fragrance. The use of calamus in the anointing oil as described in Exodus highlights its role in the divine instructions given to Moses, emphasizing the care and precision required in worship practices.

Symbolism:

In biblical symbolism, calamus represents the sweetness and richness of God's presence and the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Its fragrance is a metaphor for the pleasing aroma of a life dedicated to God, reflecting purity, devotion, and the beauty of holiness.

Historical Context:

The trade of calamus, as mentioned in Ezekiel, indicates its value and demand in the ancient Near Eastern markets. It was a sought-after commodity, not only for religious purposes but also for its use in perfumes and as a luxury item.

In summary, calamus is a significant biblical plant, deeply embedded in the religious and cultural practices of ancient Israel. Its mention in the Scriptures highlights its role in worship and its symbolic representation of divine presence and sanctity.Calamus

[REED]

Calamus

See CANE.

The Latin for cane, Hebrew Kaneh, mentioned (Exodus 30:23) as one of the ingredients in the holy anointing oil, one of the sweet scents (Cant. 4:14), and among the articles sold in the Markets of Tyre (Ezek. 27:19). The word designates an Oriental plant called the "sweet flag," the Acorus calamus of Linnaeus. It is elsewhere called "sweet cane" (Isaiah 43:24; Jeremiah 6:20). It has an aromatic smell, and when its knotted stalk is cut and dried and reduced to powder, it forms an ingredient in the most precious perfumes. It was not a native of Palestine, but was imported from Arabia Felix or from India. It was probably that which is now known in India by the name of "lemon grass" or "ginger grass," the Andropogon schoenanthus. (see CANE.) 1. (n.) The indian cane, a plant of the Palm family. It furnishes the common rattan. See Dragon's blood.

2. (n.) A species of Acorus (A. calamus), commonly called calamus, or sweet flag. The root has a pungent, aromatic taste, and is used in medicine as a stomachic; the leaves have an aromatic odor, and were formerly used instead of rushes to strew on floors.

3. (n.) The horny basal portion of a feather; the barrel or quill.

CALAMUS

kal'-a-mus. See REED.

7070. qaneh -- a stalk, reed
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition a stalk, reed NASB Word Usage branch
(4), branches (18), calamus (1), cane (2), elbow (1), reed (5), reed...reeds (1 ...
/hebrew/7070.htm - 6k

Spikenard and Saffron; Calamus and Cinnamon with all the Trees of ...
... CHAPTER IV. 14. Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon with all the trees
of Lebanon; myrrh and aloes with all the chief ointments. ...
/.../guyon/song of songs of solomon/14 spikenard and saffron calamus.htm

Chapter iv.
... Cypress with spikenard.14. Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon with all
trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes with all the chief spices.14. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/chapter iv.htm

How the First of These Calls is of no Use to a Sluggard, and the ...
... For in the case of Abbot Moses, [1206] who lived in a spot in the wilderness called
Calamus, [1207] nothing was wanting to his merits and perfect bliss, in ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter v how the first.htm

The General Service to a Hiero-Confessor or Monk-Confessor.
... Thy tongue was truly as the calamus of a swift scribe; propounding the all-honourable
sense of the spiritual law and writing it on the tablets of hearts, O ...
/.../anonymous/the general menaion/chapter xxv the general service.htm

The Testament of Naphtali Concerning Natural Goodness.
... on the neck to the head, the hair also for comeliness, the heart moreover for
understanding, the belly for the dividing of the stomach, the calamus [156] for ...
/.../viii the testament of naphtali concerning.htm

The Service Common to Two or Many Apostles.
... The calamus of the fishermen hath put in order the waverings of philosophers and
current of orators, having clearly expounded in the gospel the God-wise ...
/.../anonymous/the general menaion/chapter ix the service common.htm

Footnotes:
... {82a} Caryota. {82b} Maximiliana. {83a} Philodendron. {83b} Calamus Rotangi,
from the East Indies. {83c} Garcinia Mangostana, from Malacca. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/footnotes .htm

Ezekiel's Discourse
... white wool. Vedan and Javan traded with yarn for thy wares: bright iron,
cassia, and calamus, were among thy merchandise. Dedan ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/vii ezekiels discourse.htm

A Lamb Bears all the Guilt Away.
... heaven. Away! gold of Arabia, Myrrh, calamus, and cassia, Far better I
discover! My priceless treasure is, O Thou My Jesus! what ...
/.../gerhardt/paul gerhardts spiritual songs/a lamb bears all the.htm

What Sorts of Work Should be Chosen by Solitaries.
... reproveth me." [2303] And how difficult and tiresome this is, is very clearly shown
by the experience of those who live in the desert of Calamus or Porphyrion. ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter iv what sorts of.htm

Calamus (5 Occurrences)
... 27:19). The word designates an Oriental plant called the "sweet flag," the Acorus
calamus of Linnaeus. ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CALAMUS. kal'-a-mus. ...
/c/calamus.htm - 9k

Reed (41 Occurrences)
... 37:17, etc.); "reed," or "reeds" (1 Kings 14:15 2 Kings 18:21 Isaiah 36:6; Isaiah
42:3 Psalm 68:30, the King James Version "spearman"); "calamus" (Exodus 30:23 ...
/r/reed.htm - 29k

Javan (12 Occurrences)
... (2.) A town or district of Arabia Felix, from which the Syrians obtained iron, cassia,
and calamus (Ezek. 27:19). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. JAVAN. ...
/j/javan.htm - 12k

Cassia (3 Occurrences)
... kash'-a: Two Hebrew words, (1) qiddah, which is mentioned, along with myrrh, cinnamon,
calamus and olive oil, as one of the ingredients of the "holy anointing ...
/c/cassia.htm - 9k

Cane (11 Occurrences)
... In 2 Kings 18:21; Isaiah 36:6; Ezek. 29:6, 7, the reference is to the weak, fragile
nature of the reed. (see CALAMUS.). Noah Webster's Dictionary. ...
/c/cane.htm - 11k

Spices (64 Occurrences)
... besamim, all from root "to attract by desire," especially by smell): The list of
spices in Exodus 30:23 includes myrrh, cinnamon, "sweet calamus cassia." These ...
/s/spices.htm - 32k

Vedan (1 Occurrence)
... Vedan (1 Occurrence). Ezekiel 27:19 Vedan and Javan traded with yarn for your wares:
bright iron, cassia, and calamus, were among your merchandise. ...
/v/vedan.htm - 7k

Nard (5 Occurrences)
... Song of Songs 4:14 spikenard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with every kind
of incense tree; myrrh and aloes, with all the best spices, (Root in WEB KJV ...
/n/nard.htm - 8k

Uzal (3 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 27:19 Vedan and Javan of Uzal traded in thy markets: wrought iron,
cassia, and calamus were in thy traffic. (DBY NAS RSV NIV). ...
/u/uzal.htm - 9k

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