The Henna Page - The Encyclopedia of Henna (2024)

Henna, in the Bible, isCamphire, and is mentioned in the Song of Solomon, as well as in theTalmud.

"MyBeloved is unto me as a cluster of Camphire in the vineyards of En-Gedi"
Song of Solomon, I, 14.

Rashi, a Jewish scholar from 11th c France, interpreted this passagethat the clusters of henna flowers were a metaphor for forgiveness andabsolution, showing that God forgave those who tested Him (the Beloved)in the desert. Henna was grown as a hedgerow around vineyards tohold soil againstwind erosion in Israel as it was in other countries. A hennahedge with dense thorny branches protected a vulnerable, valuablecrop such as a vineyard from hungry animals. The hedge, whichprotected and defended the vineyard, also had clusters of fragrantflowers. This would imply a metaphor for henna of a "beloved",who defends, shelters, and delights his lover. In the firstmillennium BCE, in Canaanite Israel,hennawas closely associated with human sexuality and love, and thedivine coupling of goddess and consort.

More clearly descriptive of the sexual associations of henna is,

"Iam my beloved's,
ans his desire is for me.
Come, my beloved,
Let us go into the open, Let uslodge among the henna shrubs,
Let us go early to thevineyards,
Let us see of the vine (henna)has flowered,
If its blossoms have opened,
If the pomegranates are inbloom."
Song of Songs 7:11-13

Pomegranate and henna blossoming time would have occurred in late Aprilor early May, when theweather is warm but not hot in Israel. It is a time when onewould be comfortable outdoors, wearing little or no clothing.Henna trees are short and bushy, providing potential outdoor privacyfor two people. "Lodging among the henna shrubs" would onlybe possible if two people were sitting or lying down. Since hennabranches have thorns, a person would be encouraged to stay low. Theflowering henna bushes would have made an intensely fragrant bower fortwo young lovers hoping for some private moments with each other, ontheexcuse that they were going out to tend the vineyards.

In the Song of Solomon, IV, 13, King David, or the beloved, ispraised as:

"Your shoots are a royal garden full of pomegranates
With choice fruits:
Camphire and spikenard"

The scholar Metzudat David interprets this as a metaphor for wisdom andgood deeds of the wisest and most righteous people being widelyinfluential, as the fragrance of the henna blossom cluster carries to adistance.

For moreinformation on cultivating and using fresh henna, see: