Camphire
“To paint or cover (referring to its dyeing properties)”
Summary
The henna plant (Lawsonia), a fragrant shrub prized for its sweet-smelling flower clusters and its leaves used for dyeing.
☩Description and Identification
Camphire (Hebrew: kopher) is entirely different from modern gum camphor, although the names appear etymologically connected. It is identified with the henna plant (Lawsonia inermis or alba) of Arab naturalists, described by ancient writers as growing in Egypt and producing fragrant flowers from which ointment was made. The shrub grows from four to six feet high with myrtle-like leaves, producing small, beautifully white flowers that grow in clusters and exhale an agreeable odor. It was especially abundant near Ashkelon in ancient times.
☩Uses in the Ancient World
The women of the East greatly prized camphire flowers, holding them in their hands, carrying them in their bosoms, and keeping them in their apartments to perfume the air. The leaves were also dried, reduced to powder, and made into a paste that was applied to stain the nails of hands and feet, the soles, palms, and sometimes the hair a reddish color. Brides in Persia were ornamented this way on the night before marriage. From the appearance of mummy nails, the Egyptians clearly practiced this custom. The Hebrew name comes from the root 'to paint.'
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Camphire," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. II (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.George Morrish, "Camphire," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 3.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Camphire," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 4.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Camphire," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).