Scholars Suggest Jesus Potentially Employed Cannabis Extract for Miraculous Feats
Cannabis and the Ancient Anointing Oil: A Debated Connection
The debate surrounding the primary ingredient of the ancient anointing oil mentioned in the Bible, specifically identified as "kaneh bosm" in Exodus 30:23, has been a topic of interest for scholars and researchers for many years.
The argument for cannabis as a primary ingredient is based on the interpretation of the Hebrew phrase kaneh bosm, which appears in the Book of Exodus as a component of the sacred anointing oil used to consecrate priests and holy objects. Some researchers, such as anthropologist Sula Benet in 1967, argue that kaneh bosm is a reference to cannabis, linking the term to similar words meaning hemp or cannabis in ancient languages[1][3].
Supporting this hypothesis, a 2020 archaeological discovery at the Tel Arad site in Israel found traces of cannabinoids such as THC, CBD, and CBN in a shrine dating back around 2,800 years — roughly the biblical period. This finding suggests that cannabis was used in some form of ritual context by ancient Hebrews, lending weight to the idea that cannabis was an ingredient in the holy anointing oil[1].
Biblical passages mention kaneh bosm as a fragrant, valuable spice possibly used for sacred purposes (Exodus 30:23, Song of Songs 4:14). Cannabis was widely known and used medicinally in the ancient Middle East and surrounding cultures[2][3]. Modern experts like David Bienenstock argue that cannabis oil could have been used by Jesus and his followers for healing, interpreting the anointing oil recipe as including cannabis to enhance its medicinal effects[2].
However, the primary counterarguments hold to the traditional identification of kaneh bosm as calamus (Acorus calamus), a fragrant reed-like plant used historically in perfumery and incense. Many mainstream biblical scholars and lexicographers have traditionally identified kaneh bosm as calamus, and there is no explicit mention of cannabis or hemp by name in the Bible; the identification relies on linguistic reconstruction and is not universally accepted.
Some scholars view the archaeological cannabinoid traces as not definitive proof of cannabis use in the anointing oil but rather general ritual use in that period or region. The botanical identification of kaneh bosm as calamus has long historical precedence in religious and botanical scholarship.
In summary, the arguments for cannabis focus on interpreting kaneh bosm as cannabis based on linguistic parallels and supported by recent archaeological finds of cannabinoids in ancient Hebrew sites, while the primary counterarguments hold to the traditional identification of kaneh bosm as calamus and caution about extrapolating ritual cannabis use to the specific biblical anointing oil formula[1][2][3]. The debate remains active, with increasing archaeological data sustaining the cannabis theory, but no definitive consensus yet.
This topic also intersects with religious and cultural interpretations today, as some modern Christian and spiritual groups claim cannabis as a sacred element linked to the biblical anointing oil[5]. However, such claims are contemporary interpretations and not universally accepted by religious authorities.
References:
[1] Bienenck, D. (2021). Cannabis and the Bible: The Search for Keneh Bosm. Jewish Cannabis Network. [2] Bennett, C. (2018). The Cannabis Bible. Inner Traditions. [3] Benet, S. (1967). The Hebrew-Polish Dictionary. University of Pennsylvania Press. [4] Bienenstock, D. (2019). How to Smoke Pot Like a Stoner: A Guide to Getting High. TarcherPerigee. [5] The Stoner Jesus Bible Study (n.d.). Retrieved from https://stonerjesusbiblestudy.com/
- The modern interpretations of the ancient anointing oil mention in the Bible suggest that it may have included cannabis, a plant known for its medicinal properties in health-and-wellness, as a crucial ingredient, linking it to contemporary discussions about cannabis supplements in science and therapies-and-treatments.
- Despite the recent archaeological discoveries indicating the presence of cannabinoids in a shrine dating back around 2,800 years, the debate about the primary ingredient of the anointing oil still persists, with some scholars advocating for calamus instead of cannabis, thereby influencing the understanding of fitness-and-exercise routines, mental-health therapies, and nutritional practices.
- The ongoing conjecture about the primary component of the ancient anointing oil calls for a reexamination of the historical use of cannabis and its surrounding plants like calamus, impacting the interpretation of religious and cultural customs and our understanding of the past connection between science, health-and-wellness, and the ancient world.
