Calamus(cane)
“Reed or cane”
Summary
An aromatic reed used as an ingredient in the holy anointing oil and traded as a valuable spice in the ancient Near East.
☩Description
Calamus designates a fragrant marsh or river reed, known as the sweet flag (Acorus calamus). The plant has a reed-like stem that is exceedingly fragrant, especially when bruised, with a tawny color and jointed structure. It grows in moist places in Egypt, Judaea, and various parts of Syria, and was said to have been found in a valley of Mount Lebanon. When cut, dried, and powdered, it formed an ingredient in the richest perfumes.
☩Sacred Use
God commanded that calamus, called 'sweet cane' or 'fragrant cane,' be included among the ingredients of the holy anointing oil used to consecrate the tabernacle, its furnishings, and the priests. The Hebrew expression kaneh bosem means 'odoriferous cane,' emphasizing its aromatic quality.
☩Trade
Calamus was a valuable trade commodity brought from distant lands. Jeremiah mentions sweet cane from a far country, and Ezekiel lists it among the merchandise brought to the markets of Tyre. The plant was imported from India and Arabia, where it grew in abundance.
Related Verses5 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Calamus," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. II (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.George Morrish, "Calamus," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Calamus," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).