To: dwashbur AT nyx.net, B-Hebrew <b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: [b-hebrew] QNH-BSM
Date: Sat, 20 May 2006 10:14:46 -0700
Hello,
There are two separate questions. One is does QNH or QHN-BSM refer to
cannabis (sativa or indica)? The other is whether the Greek work Kannabis is
a loan word from the Hebrew, the reverse, they may be faux ami, or they are
two unrelated words.
Herodotus references hemp clothing (a version of canvas (=from Kannabis)
probably) as far back as 450 BCE. Greek sailors were using hemp ropes and
canvas sails for hundreds of years before that. This is from a time before
extensive Greek-Hebrew interactions. In any event I cannot think of any
non-religeous Hebrew loan words to Greek, certainly not before the CE.
Likewise Pedianos Dioskourides references the medical uses of kannabis in 70
CE.
It would seem a Hebrew to Greek loan word is unlikely.
--
Jack Tladatsi