Cannabis Biblical History
The origins of Cne-Bossem in Judaism
There is a rich history and long relationship between Jews and cannabis. References to this plant appear in the Bible, Cumeran scrolls, the Talmud, and numerous other Jewish texts. Cannabis has been used for religious ritual and for medicinal purposes from ancient times until today.
The first significant academic reference to the fact that the Israelites used to use cannabis was published for the first time in 1936 by Shula Bennett, a Polish researcher from the "Institute of Anthropological Sciences" in Warsaw, the capital of Poland.
Today it is customary to associate the origin of the name "cannabis" with the Sanskrit word "Canna", the same word as "Canne" in Hebrew and "Cane" in English. Bennett showed that the concept of Cannabis also has roots in Hebrew, and that the concept even appears several times in the Bible. Bennett explained that "in the biblical writings of the Old Testament there are several references to the use of cannabis both as incense in religious worship ceremonies and as a substance to be consumed for spiritual ascension".
Bennett links the term "Cannabis" to the phrase "Cne Bossem". The word "Canne" is becoming "Cne" on that case in its Hebrew pronunciation. Among the religious Jews there is a dispute as to the origin of "Cne Bossem".
There are testimonies from Jewish rabbis of families who stayed in Israel during the exile in Safed and Jerusalem that Cne Bossem is the Cannabis plant, other say the don't know. There are factions in Judaism that claim it was sugarcane, this is probably a wrong claim because sugarcane was not grown in Israel at the time of the Bible and it is a plant that was never used for incense, oil or perfumes.
The translation of the Bible accepted by Christians holds that it is the Calamus plant that was used by the Egyptians to make perfumes in ancient times, a plant from which essential oil can also be produced. There is no reference in the Jewish sources to link the name Cne Bossem with the Calamus plant, and there is no documentation of any use of that plant compared to documentation of the use of Cannabis for medicinal purposes and consecration.
The word "Cne Bossem" appears in the book of Adam and Eve and is mentioned about five times in the Bible: Exodus, the Song of Songs, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel.
Mention of Cne Bossem in Adam and Eve chapter 29
"These things God spoke and commanded to cast us out of heaven: and I will
Wept before the angels from before the garden and the angels said to him. what is your request
A man, and I will be made unto you: your father answered and said unto them, Behold, you make me leave me [and now] leave me, I pray thee, and I will take fragrances from the garden, and I will bring an offering
I went to the gods after me, that I might be comforted.
and seeds for his food: And God said to the man to come and take branches and herbs from the garden and seeds for his food: and the angels let him go and he took seven kinds of caraway and pomegranate and reed and cinnamon and the rest of the seeds for his food and he took all these and left the garden: and we came to the earth:"
First mention of buying perfume in the Bible
The first mention of Cne Bossem in the Bible appears when God turns to Moses and says to him:
"Moreover the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half as much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus (originally "Cne Bossem" "buy perfume") two hundred and fifty shekels,
And of cassia five hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of olive oil an hin:
And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil."
Exodus 30:22:25
Second mention of buying perfume in the Bible
The perfume cane is also referred to as the good cane or simply cane. A second mention of cannabis in the Bible appears under the term "Canne" in relation to King Solomon. In the Song of Songs, one of the most beautiful texts in the Bible, King Solomon mentions the cane:
"nard and saffron, calamus (originally "Cne Bossem" "buy perfume") and cinnamon, with every kind of incense tree, with myrrh and aloes and all the finest spices."
Song of Songs 4:14
A third mention of buying perfume in the Bible
The next mention of Cne Bossem in the Bible appears in the book of Isaiah when God is angry with the Israelites for their sins. One of the sins was failing to offer the incense and the consecrated plant.
"Neither did you buy cane for Me with money, nor have you satisfied Me with the fat of your sacrifices. But you have burdened Me with your sins; you have worn Me with your iniquities."
Isaiah 43:24
Fourth mention of Cne Bossem in the Bible
The fourth mention of the cane in the Bible appears in the book of Jeremiah and it seems that this time, according to the words of the prophet god is not interested in accepting their offerings because of corruption, abomination and lies among the priests and the people of Israel. According to him, where the intention of the heart is not true, no incense will be of any use.
"Why do I need the frankincense that comes from Sheba, and the good cane from a distant country? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable, and your sacrifices are not pleasant to Me.”
Jeremiah 6:20
Fifth mention of Cne Bossem in the Bible
The last mention in the Bible of the cane appears in the book of Ezekiel together with the story of King Solomon.
"Damascus did business with you because of your many products and great wealth of goods. They offered wine from Helbon, wool from Zahar and casks of wine from Izal in exchange for your wares: wrought iron, cassia and calamus."
Ezekiel 27:18
A mention of Jesus medical and ceremonial use of cannabis
According to Chris Bennett the New Testament describes the ceremonial and medicinal use of cannabis for medicine. Jesus and his disciples shared the distilled cannabis oil with the common people and healed many people with it.
"many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them." (Mark 6:13).
References:
1. https://htinstitute.co.il/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/.-.-.pdf
2. https://www.academia.edu/44695043/Did_Jesus_Heal_With_Cannabis
3. Shula Bennett's full study as published in 1975:http://www.xn--4dbcyzi5a.com/wp-content/PDF/EARLY-DIFFUSION-AND-FOLK-USES-OF-HEMP-SULA-BENET.pdf