Cannabis Was Main Anointing Oil Ingredient Used In The Bible

Mountains of Physical Evidence Proves That Cannabis Has Been Used In Holy Land Religious Ceremonies For Thousands of Years.

The Name Christ Means Anointed OR Anointer.

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“The discovery of cannabis residue on an ancient altar in Israel is presented with amazement by the archaeologists although one wonders where they have been for the last century. The kaneh-bosem of Exodus was identified as cannabis by Sula Benet nearly a century ago and has been the subject of numerous works since. Similar archaeological evidence is confirming the use of other drugs in Classical Greco-Roman and Judeo-Christian antiquity and is presented by scholars who apparently come upon their discoveries in vacuo.”

-Professor Carl Ruck on the archeological proof of cannabis in ancient Judaic ritual that was found in the temple site at Arad, Jerusalem

Below is the video that woke me up regarding this topic, and then a well researched summary of the subject by the TRAILBLAZER and relentless researcher, Chris Bennett.

The Journal of the Institute of Archaeology of Tel Aviv University, Volume 47, 2020 – Issue 1, published the paper Cannabis and Frankincense at the Judahite Shrine of Arad, by Eran Arie, Baruch Rosen & Dvory Namdar. They wrote about the results of analysis of an unidentified dark material preserved on the upper surfaces of two monoliths that were used in an ancient Jewish Temple site. The residues were submitted for analysis to a pair of unrelated laboratories that used similar established extraction methods..

“On the smaller altar, residues of cannabinoids such as Δ9-teterahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabinol (CBN) were detected, along with an assortment of terpenes and terpenoids, suggesting that cannabis inflorescences had been burnt on it. Organic residues attributed to animal dung were also found, suggesting that the cannabis resin had been mixed with dung to enable mild heating. The larger altar contained an assemblage of indicative triterpenes such as boswellic acid and norursatriene, which derives from frankincense. The additional presence of animal fat―in related compounds such as testosterone, androstene and cholesterol―suggests that resin was mixed with it to facilitate evaporation. These well-preserved residues shed new light on the use of 8th century Arad altars and on incense offerings in Judah during the Iron Age.”

This research has made International headlines, and is rocking the scientific and religious world with these astounding Revelations:

• Newsweek – Cannabis Discovered in Shrine From Biblical Israeli Kingdom May Have Been Used in Hallucinogenic Cult Rituals
• BBC – ‘Cannabis burned during worship’ by ancient Israelites – study
• Popular Archeology – New research reveals Cannabis and Frankincense at the Judahite Shrine of Biblical Arad
• The Times (UK) – Judean worshippers were high on cannabis, archaeologists reveal
• Haaretz – Ancient Israelites Used Cannabis as Temple Offering, Study Finds: Analysis of altar residue shows worshippers burned pot at a Judahite desert shrine – and may have done the same at the First Temple in Jerusalem

Countless other news sources have verified this study.

The Temple site at the centre of this controversial discovery, with the altars that tested positive for cannabis and frankincense. ‘Holy of Holies in the Israelite Sanctuary at Tel Arad’ by Ian Scott (CC BY-SA 2.0)

As the Newsweek article described:

“We can assume that the fragrance of the frankincense gave a special ambience to the cult in the shrine, while the cannabis burning brought at least some of the priests and worshippers to a religious state of consciousness, or ecstasy,” Arie said. “It is logical to assume that this was an important part of the ceremonies that took place in this shrine.”

“The new evidence from Arad show for the first time that the official cult of Judah—at least during the 8th century B.C.—involved hallucinogenic ingredients. We can assume that the religious altered state of consciousness in this shrine was an important part of the ceremonies that took place here,” he said.

The term kaneh bosm, is now being discussed by the team involved with the archeological discover, as a potential ancient Hebrew name for cannabis, as discussed in this Haaretz interview LISTEN: High Priests, Holy Smoke and Cannabis in the Temple

The idea that the Old Testament prophets, were using psychoactive substances in order to attain a shamanic trance in order to receive the revelations of Yahweh, is very troubling for Orthodox believers

As Professor Georg Luck has noted “The idea that Moses himself and the priests who succeeded him relied on ‘chemical aids’ in order to touch with the Lord must be disturbing or repugnant to many. It seems to degrade religion—any religion—when one associates it with shamanic practices…” (Luck, 1985/2006). Luck experienced these conditions himself, when his decades of research into magic rites in the ancient world, drew him to hypothesize: “As I was doing research on psychoactive substances used in magic and religion and magic in antiquity, I happened to come across chapter 30 in the Book of Exodus where Moses prescribes the composition of sacred incense and anointing oil. It occurred to me, judging from the ingredients, that… [these] substances might act as ‘entheogens,’ the incense more powerful than the oil. …” (Luck, 1985/2006)

Many other researchers have also come forward to acknowledge that cannabis is in fact the most likely botanical candidate for the Hebrew kaneh bosem. Carl Ruck, Author and Professor of Classical Mythology at Boston University, who is also a linguist, has summarized:

“Cannabis is called kaneh bosem in Hebrew, which is now recognized as the Scythian word that Herodotus wrote as kannabis (or cannabis). The translators of the bible translate this usually as ‘fragrant cane,’ i.e., an aromatic grass. Once the word is correctly translated, the use of cannabis in the bible is clear. Large amounts of it were compounded into the ointment for the ordination of the priest. This ointment… was also used to fumigate the holy enclosed space. The ointment (absorbed through the skin) and the fragrance of the vessels (both absorbed by handling and inhaled as perfume) and the smoke of the incense in the confined space would have been a very effective means of administering the psychoactive properties of the plant. Since it was only the High Priest who entered the Tabernacle, it was an experience reserved for him…” (Ruck, 2009)

Noted cannabinoid researcher and historian, Dr. Ethan Russo, also notes: “I think it is absolutely clear that cannabis was in the Holy Land, we have archeological proof dated to the 4th century [AD] there was this carbonized fragment of cannabis that was found in a cave at Bet Shemesh in Israel. Additionally, I firmly believe that kaneh bosm in the Hebrew was cannabis, so I am absolutely convinced it was there. …its mentioned in Exodus that kaneh bosm was part of the Holy Anointing Oil, also used as an incense and it really makes sense.” (Russo, 2003) As Ruck and co-authors have noted the term “occurs also in Song of Songs 4.14, where it grows in an orchard of exotic fruits, herbs, and spices… It occurs also in Isaiah 43,24 where Yahweh lists amongst the slights received in sacrifice, the insufficient offerings of kaneh bosm; and Jeremiah 6,20, where Yahweh, displeased with his people, rejects such an offering; and Ezekiel 27.19, where it occurs in a catalogue of the luxurious items in the import trade of Tyre…. This conclusion has since been affirmed by other scholars. It is ironic that calamus “sweet flag,” the substitute for the alleged cannabis, is itself a known hallucinogen for which TMA-2 is derived” (Ruck et. al., 2001).

More recently other researchers have also written about cannabis as kaneh bosm, such as Christopher Lawson, Danny Nemu and Yoseph Needelman.

*as Cited in (James Geiwitz, Ph.D, 2001)

Only those who had been “dedicated by the anointing oil of…God” (Leviticus 21:12) were permitted to act as priests. In the “holy” state produced by the anointing oil the priests were forbidden to leave the sanctuary precincts (Leviticus 21:12), and the above passage from Exodus, makes quite clear the sacredness of this ointment, the use of which the priests jealously guarded. These rules were likely made so that other tribal members would not find out the secret behind Moses and the priesthood’s new found shamanistic revelations. Or even worse, take it upon themselves to make a similar preparation. An event that would likely lead to Moses and his fellow Levites losing their authority over their ancient tribal counterparts. Those who broke this strong tribal taboo risked the penalty of being “cut off from their people”, a virtual death-sentence in the savage ancient world. Secrets revealed equals power lost, is a rule of thumb that is common to shamans and magicians worldwide, and the ancient Hebrew shamans guarded their secrets as fiercely as any. “The words spoken by the Lord to Moses… ‘where I shall meet with you,’ should be taken in the strictest literal sense. God will appear to the priest who uses the substance in the proper way. But the sanctions against any frivolous, casual use is formidable… By its nature, an ‘entheogen’ is surrounded by taboos, because it gives access to the deity, and the tremendous power it transmutes must be controlled.” (Luck, 1985/2006)

Moreover, this Holy Oil was to be used specifically in the Tent of the Meeting, where the angel of the Lord would “speak” to Moses from a pillar of smoke over the altar. From what can be understood by the descriptions in Exodus, Moses and later High Priests, would cover themselves with this ointment and also pour some on the altar of incense before burning it and during the ritual. “Besides its role in anointing, the holy oil of the Hebrews was burned as incense, and its use was reserved to the priestly class” (Russo, 2007).

In the Torah, the pillar of smoke that arose before Moses in the ‘Tent of the Meeting’, is referred to as the ‘Shekinah’ and is identified as the physical evidence of the Lord’s presence. None of the other Hebrews in the Exodus account either see or hear the Lord, they only know that Moses is talking to the Lord when the smoke is pouring forth from the Tent of the Meeting. It is hard not to see all the classical elements of shamanism at play in this description of Moses’ encounter with God, and like Zoroaster, Moses can be seen as a ecstatic shamanic figure who used cannabis as a a means of seeking celestial advice. Such techniques of invocation certainly occur in later magic.

The Magician Moses scryed his messages from the Lord in an act of Biblical capnomancy, and this was a traditional use of cannabis in magical rituals that has been carried on in occult circles into modern times. As Ernest Bosc De Veze, who also wrote a Treatise on Hashish, noted in Petite Encyclopedie Synthetique des Sciences Occultes, in reference to “capnomancy… for divination… the smoke obtained from psychic plants such as verbena, hashish or Indian hemp… [are]used” (Bosc, 1904). In cases like this, not only was there the psychoactive effects of the smoke used, but the smoke provided the partially material basis in which the invoked entity or vision might be viewed. “The magician… burned aromatic substances and anointed his/her body with perfumed ointments. The whole set-up for an epiphany was there: now all that was necessary was for the deity to appear” (Brashear, 1991).

“…[T]he smoke itself was the epiphany. The smoke was inhaled by the magician and his client, and the vision came in trance. The smell of psychoactive substances… acts on the human brain in a very quick, very predictable way.”

“…[T]he inhalation of the sacred incense could create a powerful vision of the deity in the priest. Other factors were probably involved too, the smell of the holy oil with which the priest, the altar, and other sacred objects within the temple were anointed, the golden surface of the altar that reflected the shine of lamps…. The shiny surfaces, reflecting the sacral lamps nearby, could help induce trance in the priest as he was breathing smoke.” (Luck, 1985/2006)

Just as Moses received his answers in a billowing cloud of cannabis resin infused smoke, we can see from a reference in Isaiah, that when the cannabis was lacking, the scryed answers were more difficult to bring forth! the Lord complains he has been shortchanged his offering of cannabis. When the prophet seeks advice, the Lord complains:“Thou hast bought me no sweet [smelling]cane (kaneh) with money, neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities.”

Other textual evidence from Isaiah, although not identifying cannabis by name, gives clear indications that at times the Lord’s hunger for his favourite smoke was being appeased and hemp was being used as a shamanic incense inside the precincts of the temple, in elaborate shamanic ceremonies:

“And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the temple was filled with smoke.”

“Then said I, ‘Woe is me, for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.’”

“Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar, And he laid it upon my mouth and said, ‘Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.’” (Isaiah 6:4-7)

Those of us who are familiar with hashish know that it burns in a similar way to both incense and coal and it’s not hard to imagine an elaborately dressed ancient shaman, with a mask and fabricated wings, lifting a burning coal of hashish, or pressed bud, to the lips of the ancient prophet Isaiah. Interestingly, the holder of the tongs is described as a “seraphim”, which translates as a “fiery-serpent”, and has been associated with the Nehushtan that Moses made and King Hezekiah later destroyed during his own religious reforms, because the Israelites were burning incense to it inside the temple itself.

Kaneh, (cannabis) can also be found in what is the most beautiful piece of prose in the whole Bible, Solomon’s Song of Songs’4.14, where it where it grows in an orchard of exotic fruits, herbs, and spices:

“Come with me from Lebanon, my bride, come with me from Lebanon… How much more pleasing is your love than wine, and the fragrance of your ointment than any spice!…The fragrance of your garments is like that of Lebanon…Your plants are an orchard of pomegranates with choice fruits, with henna and nard, nard and saffron, kaneh[cannabis]and cinnamon, with every kind of incense tree…” (Song of Songs 4:8-14)

Solomon has often been associated with magic, and this is particularly true of medieval European magical traditions where grimoires like, Clavicula Salomonis, ‘The Key of Solomon’ (14th-15th century) and the 17th-century Clavicula Salomonis Regis, ‘The Lesser Key of Solomon’ both of which represents a typical example of Renaissance magic. Most interesting of such magical manuscripts, is the 16th century Sepher Raziel:Liber Salomonis, which has been discussed for its use of cannabis ointments for seeing visions in magic mirrors.

However, Solomon’s reputation for magic, goes back much further than this. The Testament of Solomon, thought to date from sometime between the first and third century AD, is one of the oldest magical texts concerning the ancient Jewish king. This text is pseudepigraphic catalog of demons summoned by King Solomon, and how they can be countered by invoking angels and other magical techniques. The Testament of Solomon refers to a story where the magician-king forces a demon to spin hemp! “So I commanded her to spin the hemp for the ropes used in the building of the house of God; and accordingly, when I had sealed and bound her, she was so overcome and brought to naught as to stand night and day spinning the hemp” (The Testament of Solomon, 100-300 AD)

Ingested cannabis references have also been long suggested, such as that in a 1903 essay, Indications of the Hachish-Vice in the Old Testament, Dr. Creighton, referred to accounts in the books of Daniel, Samuel, and particularly Ezekiel in this regard. “‘Son of man, eat what is before you, eat this scroll; then go and speak to the house of Israel.’ So I opened my mouth and he gave me the scroll to eat….So I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth….Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me a loud rumbling sound–May the glory of the Lord be praised in his dwelling-place!–the sound of the wings of the living creatures brushing against each other and the sound of the wheels beside them, a loud rumbling sound. The Spirit then lifted me up and took me away…” (Ezekiel 3:4-14).

Others have suggested that the Important Biblical and Apocrypha figure Ezra, consumed a cannabis infused wine. Ezra was a key figure of the Jewish monotheistic reformation after the Persians had returned them to their homeland. Interestingly, at least two researchers, living more than a century apart and from different parts of the world, have concluded that Ezra received his inspiration for this act, from the same source of inspiration as his Zoroastrian overlords did….. a cannabis infused wine! Here is Ezra’s own account of this. Ezra told the people not to seek him for forty days, and he left for the desert, taking with him five people who were to act as his scribes:

“The next day, behold a voice cried to me saying. Esdras open thy mouth, and drink what I give you thee to drink! Then opened I my mouth, and behold, he reached me a full cup, which is full as it were with water, but the color of it was like fire. I took it, and drank: and when I had drunk of it, my heart uttered understanding, and wisdom grew in my breast, for my spirit strengthened and my memory; and my mouth was opened and shut no more: and they sat forty days, and they wrote in the day, and at night they ate bread. As for me, I spake by the day, and I held not my tongue by the night. In forty days they wrote two hundred and four books” 2 Esdras 14:38 to 44.

As Georg W Brown recorded of this more than a century ago:

“A voice bid him open his mouth, he—the voice, of course—reached Esdras a full cup. It would be interesting to know whose voice it was which possessed such unnatural powers; yet we apprehend the reader is much more anxious to know the contents of the cup… which possessed such wondrous ability, probably the same possessed by the ‘fruit of the tree’ which grew ‘in the midst of the garden,’ the eating of which opened the eyes of our first parents, and enabled them to see ‘as Gods knowing good and evil.’ We think we can furnish this desired information, to do which we are compelled to anticipate some facts existing among Zoroastrian worshippers; many centuries before the date religionists ascribe to Abraham, and which was practiced in Persia, Assyria and Babylonia at the very time Ezra was writing Jewish history under the influence of the ‘fiery cup.’

“Among other duties required on occasional sacrifices of animals to Ahura-Mazda, additional to prayers, praises, thanksgiving, and the recitation of hymns, was the performance…of a curious ceremony known as that of the Haoma or Homa. This consisted of the extraction of the juice of the Homa plant by the priests during the recitation of prayers, the formal presentation of the liquid extracted to the sacrificial fire,… the consumption of a small portion of it by one of the officiating ministers, and the division of the remainder among the worshippers…”

“What was the Haoma or Homa, the production of the moon-plant, growing in those regions of Asia to far north for the successful growing of the grape, and yet yielding such intoxicating properties? It is known in the medical books as Apocynum Cannabinum, and belongs to the Indian Hemp family, Cannabis Indica being an official preparation from it. It is now known in India as bhang, and is popularly known with us as hashish, the stimulating and intoxicating effects of which are well known to physicians.” (Brown, 1890)

Dobroruka revisited this theme in more detail in his later 2006 article, Chemically-induced visions in the Fourth Book of Ezra in light of comparative Persian material, and again draws direct comparisons between Ezra’s cup of fire, and the mang mixed infused beverages of the Zoroastrian psychonauts. Interestingly, Rabbi Immanuel Löw, referred to a ancient Jewish recipe (Sabb. 14. 3 ed. Urbach, 9th-11th century) that called for wine to be mixed with ground up saffron, Arabic gum and hasisat surur, “I know ‘surur’ solely as a alias for the resin the Cannabis sativa” (Low, 1924).

Low made no comment on the word “hasisat” which is very reminiscent of the name for cannabis resins in the medieval Arabic world “hasis” (hashish), and the term is generally thought to have been derived at in that period. However, the 19^th century scholar John Kitto also put forth two different potential Hebrew word candidates for the origins of the term “hashish” in A Cyclopaedia of Biblical Literature. Kitto pointed to the Hebrew terms Shesh, which originates in reference to some sort of “fibre plant”, and the possibly related word, Eshishah (E-shesh-ah?) which holds a wide variety of somewhat contradictory translations such as “flagon” “sweet cakes”, “syrup”, and also “unguent.” This last reference is interesting in relation to what we have already seen in regards to the cannabis infused Holy Oil, which was basically an unguent. According to Kitto, this Eshishah was mixed with wine. “Hebrew eshishah… is by others called hashish…. this substance, in course of time, was converted into a medium of intoxication by means of drugs” (Kitto 1845:1856). With the cognate pronunciation similarities found between the Hebrew Shesh and Eshishah one can only speculate on the possibility of two ancient Hebrew references to one plant that held both fibrous and intoxicating properties. It seems likely that what is referred to is hashish resin, with the addition of the word “surur” indicating the possibility of hashish oil, (which the Arabs prepared by boiling the tops of the plant, and collecting the drops of oil that formed on top of the water). A very potent preparation. “The palm wine of the East… is made intoxicating… by an admixture of stupefying ingredients, of which there was an abundance… Such a practice seems to have existed amongst the ancient Jews…” (Kitto, 1861)

Talmudic reference indicates this use as well: “The one on his way to execution was given a piece of incense in a cup of wine, to help him fall asleep” (Sanh. 43a). Such preparations were used by the ancient Jews, for ritual intoxication, and for easing pain. A Reverend E. A Lawrence, in an essay on ‘The wine of the Bible’ in a 19th century edition of The Princeton Review noted that:

“It appears to have been an ancient custom to give medicated or drugged wine to criminals condemned to death, to blunt their senses, and so lessen the pains of execution. To this custom there is supposed to be an allusion, Prov. xxxi. 6, ‘Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish,’ …To the same custom some suppose there is a reference in Amos 8, where the ‘wine of the condemned’ is spoken of… The wicked here described, in addition to other evil practices, imposed unjust fines upon the innocent, and spent the money thus unjustly obtained upon wine, which they quaffed in the house of their gods…”

“Mixed wine is often spoken of in Scripture. This was of different kinds… sometimes, by lovers of strong drink, with spices of various kinds, to give it a richer flavor and greater potency (ls. v. 22; Ps. lxxv. 8). The royal wine,’ literally wine of the kingdom… Esther i. 7), denotes most probably the best wine, such as the king of Persia himself was accustomed to drink.” (Lawrence, 1871)

Thus, this infused wine, not only had pain numbing qualities, but was also “quaffed in the house of their gods” giving clear indication it was sought after for entheogenic effects as well. That it is compared to the wines of the Kind of persia, also brings us back to the cannabis infused wines of the Zoroastrian period, such as that taken by King Vishtaspa. In reference to “unguents” such as the Holy oil, placing “incense” into wine, we are reminded of the cannabis infused incenses and anointing oils referred to earlier, indicating these substances may have come to have been placed directly into wine. In regards to myrrhed wine, it is worth noting that Dr. David Hillman, who holds combined degrees in Classics and Bacteriology, has suggested that ancient myrrh was often doctored with cannabis resins “The [ancient]Arabs… will take the rub, basically the hashish… they adulterate it with myrrh, so you end up with these combinations of plants that actually end up together… myrrh and cannabis, you see them associated… often” (Hillman, 2015).

Now what is the world going to say when they find out that some centuries after this ancient Jewish use, it would appear that Christians were using cannabis for its miraculous healing properties, as well as in entheogenic initiation rituals? Jesus took the restricted use of cannabis from the Priests and kings, and brought it to the people. Jesus was a Cannabis Activist.

Here are the five Old Testament references probably directly mentioning cannabis:

The Song of Songs

King Solomon, in the Song of Songs, admires and poetically describes his new bride. He compares her traits and qualities to a variety of desirable plants, fruits, and oils. In Song of Songs 4:14, fragrant cane is among these comparisons. Calamus, it has now become widely recognized was erroneously used to replace Cannabis here.

Isaiah

Is 6:4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.⁵ “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” ⁶ Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. ⁷ With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”

That “live coal” from the altar sounds like a bit of hashish – they burn similarly.

It has been speculated that Isaiah 18:4-5 is a reference to pruning and care for the cannabis plant.

In Isaiah 43:24, the people of Israel are rebuked for their hypocritical worship habits. It mentions that the Israelites have not procured the “sweet cane” required as an offering to God. This “sweet cane” is now being revealed to reference the Holy anointing oil ingredient of the same name, now correctly understood as cannabis.

Jeremiah

In Jeremiah 6:20, God expresses disapproval of the material sacrifices His followers have been offering to atone for their sins. “Incense from Sheba and the sweet cane from a far country” are specifically mentioned as forbidden offerings in this context. It is now understood that both the incense and sweet cane mentioned here was, in fact, cannabis.

Ezekiel

Ezekiel 34:29 speaks of the “plant of renown.” There is strong evidence that this is a reference to the most versatile of all plants on earth – hemp. The classic book by Jack Herer, The Emperor Wears No Clothes is an amazing testimony to the vast array of unique properties and uses for this renowned plant.

Exodus

The most notable references to cannabis, in the Old Testament, are in the book of Exodus. Moses starts conversing with God after he investigates a bush that he sees is on fire, but not being consumed (Exodus 3:2-5). God instructs Moses to take the Israelites out of Egypt, where they had been living in oppression. After Moses successfully accomplishes this task, God continues to approach him with divine plans and further instructions. However, it has been speculated that this communion took place under the influence of cannabis. Throughout Exodus God is seen as making His earthly appearances in clouds of smoke.

In Exodus 19:9, God tells Moses, “I will come to you in a dense cloud so that the people will hear me speaking with you and will always put their trust in you.”

In Exodus 30:1-9, Moses was instructed by God to set up an altar inside the tent for the sole purpose of burning incense (which was probably cannabis). When the cloud of smoke could be seen at the door, his followers would assemble outside the tent in prayer.

After instructing Moses exactly how to set up his “tent of meeting,” God then gives Moses the recipe for a Holy anointing oil (Exodus 30:22-25). The oil was to be honored as highly sacred and only be used to consecrate priests or anoint items for use at Moses’ altar.  The oil would transform secular items (or people) into Holy ones. Kings were later given the authority to also use this Holy oil. Making or using this oil for any other purpose was strictly forbidden. It is now believed by many researchers that this oil contained a high concentration of cannabis.

In the Old Testament, the calamus plant has been credited as being the primary ingredient of the Holy oil. However, the calamus is a common, and rather ordinary plant. Both the Hebrew and Aramaic translations of the Old Testament list this ingredient as “kaneh-bosm,” – which we now understand is better understood to be cannabis. The literal translation of kaneh-bosm is “aromatic reed”.

As seen in the references above, many Biblical scholars, including etymologists at Jerusalem’s Hebrew University, have concluded that this reference to calamus was indeed a mistranslation, and misunderstanding that kaneh-bosm is cannabis. This error in translation goes back to the oldest Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, back in the 3rd century B.C., and it has been replicated in all subsequent translations.

What was in the recipe for Holy anointing oil?

The recipe for this Holy anointing oil is plainly laid out in Exodus 30:22-23: “500 shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much of fragrant cinnamon, 250 shekels of kaneh-bosm (or “fragrant cane”), 500 shekels of cassia, and a hind of olive oil.” Shekels were both units of money and weight in Biblical times. The exact measurement of a shekel has varied a tad over the years and from country to country, but its value typically has been between 7 and 17 grams, or approximately .40 ounces. That would translate to approximately 2.5 kilograms or 6 pounds of cannabis would have been infused into around 6.5 liters or just nearly 14 pounds of the olive oil base. The resulting concoction would have been extremely potent!

This oil was applied topically to the skin of Holy men. This would have altered their mental state, perhaps giving them the ability to communicate with God on an entirely different level than in simple prayer. Another important argument that this oil was made with cannabis, not calamus, is that calamus at such a high concentration is toxic. It could easily damage the liver, kidneys, and heart. However, cannabis is not toxic at that concentration – although the psychoactive effects would have been quite strong and noticable!

Did Jesus use cannabis?

The New Testament is full of examples of Jesus using this same Holy cannabis oil. It is probable that Jesus performed many of his miracles and healings with a little help from highly concentrated, miracle working cannabis.

Jesus is introduced to us, in the Bible, as “Jesus of Nazareth.” The name “Christ” is actually a title given to Him by His disciples. It is taken from the Greek word Christos and it means “anointed” or “anointer”. So literally they called Him Jesus the Anointer, because of all of the people that He personally anointed, and taught others how to go out and do the same.

What the Bible Says About Cannabis

In the Old Testament, this Holy oil was reserved only for the priest class. Jesus, however, broke this tradition and anointed common people with His healing oil. In Mark 6:13, “They cast out many devils and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them.” Matthew 4:24 says: “News about Him spread all over Syria and people brought to Him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them.”

The types of conditions that Jesus is credited with healing include:

Severe and painful skin conditions, such as leprosy, dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis.

Muscle conditions such as rheumatism and multiple sclerosis – Jesus is referred to as “the straightener of the crooked limbs” in Acts of Thomas.

Eye disease, such as glaucoma.

Issues related to menstruation, such as dysmenorrhoea (painful menstruation), menorrhagia (abnormally heavy or prolonged bleeding), and uterine hemorrhage related to childbirth.

Epilepsy, the symptoms of which would have likely been viewed as demonic possession in Biblical times.

In recent years, as cannabis research is able to come out of the closet, we find that these are all conditions that respond positively and quickly to treatment with cannabis. If Jesus were applying highly concentrated cannabis oil directly to the skin of those suffering from these ailments, it makes sense that rapid and dramatic improvements could be seen in their condition. It’s no wonder that Jesus would be hailed as a miracle worker by anyone observing these outcomes.

It is now clear that for thousands of years cannabis has been used for it’s healing properties, and for it’s ability to open the channels of spirit. It was used all throughout the Old Testament by the priest class. Jesus came along and gave it to the masses. He commissioned the 70 to go out and anoint and heal everyone. Then came the demon inspired United States Government which OUTLAWED this miracle plant in the 1930’s.

Now the world of church orthodoxy is fairly flabbergasted by the idea that the most demonized plant in history is actually the plant God gave us for our healing and enlightenment!