Septuagint Misidentification of Kaneh-Bosem

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The misidentification of kaneh-bosem in the Septuagint is a complex issue rooted in linguistic and cultural translation challenges. The Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible produced in the 3rd century BCE, rendered kaneh-bosem as kalamou (καλάμου), which translates to "calamus" or "reed." This translation has had a lasting impact on subsequent interpretations and translations of the Hebrew Bible. The choice of "calamus" is likely due to the translators' familiarity with fragrant wetland reeds, such as Acorus calamus, prevalent in Hellenistic Egypt, where the Septuagint was produced.[1] This association, however, may have been an inaccurate interpretation of the original Hebrew term.

The Hebrew term kaneh-bosem appears in several Old Testament passages, including Exodus 30:23, where it is listed as an ingredient for the holy anointing oil, and Song of Solomon 4:14, where it is mentioned among other fragrant plants in a garden.[2] The precise botanical identity of kaneh-bosem has been debated for centuries. While the Septuagint's "calamus" translation has been widely accepted, other possibilities have been suggested by scholars and researchers. These include aromatic plants like Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass) or Cymbopogon martinii (palmarosa), which are known for their fragrant properties and were used in ancient times.[3] The choice of "calamus" in the Septuagint may have been influenced by the translators' cultural context and the available botanical knowledge at the time. The translators likely associated the Hebrew term with a familiar fragrant reed, even if it wasn't the exact plant intended in the original Hebrew text.

The Septuagint's translation of kaneh-bosem as "calamus" (καλάμου) is a significant example of how cultural and linguistic contexts can influence the interpretation of ancient texts. The translators' familiarity with fragrant reeds in Hellenistic Egypt led them to choose a term that seemed appropriate based on their understanding of the plant's properties. However, this choice may have inadvertently steered later translations and interpretations off course, as the precise botanical identity of kaneh-bosem remains a subject of scholarly debate.

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