Calamus

Calamus is a fragrant plant, and the Bible names it among costly spices. In Exodus 30:23 it is one of the ingredients God lists for the holy anointing oil, “sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels.” Song of Solomon 4:14 sets it in a garden of spices, and Ezekiel 27:19 counts it among goods sold in the markets of Tyre. Jeremiah 6:20 speaks of “the sweet cane from a far country”, likely the same plant, brought from afar yet unwelcome when the heart behind the offering was far from God. Read Exodus 30 to see how carefully the oil was made.

4 verses

Exodus

Exodus 30:23

Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels,

Song of Solomon

Song of Solomon 4:14

Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices:

Jeremiah

Jeremiah 6:20

To what purpose cometh there to me incense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet unto me.

Ezekiel

Ezekiel 27:19

Dan also and Javan going to and fro occupied in thy fairs: bright iron, cassia, and calamus, were in thy market.

From Easton's Bible Dictionary

Matthew George Easton, 1897

The Latin for cane, Hebrew Kaneh, mentioned (Ex. 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” (Isa. 43:24; Jer. 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.)

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