International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Gourd

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International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Gourd


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gōrd, goord (קיקיון, ḳı̄ḳāyōn): The Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 ad) has hedera (“ivy”), which is impossible. Philologically ḳı̄ḳāyōn appears to be connected with κίκι, kı́ki, which was the Egyptian name for the castor oil plant (Ricinus communis). This grows plentifully all over the Orient, and under favorable conditions may reach a height of 10 to 15 ft.; its larger leaves afford a grateful shade. The requirements of the narrative in are, however, much more suitably met by the “bottle gourd” (Cucurbita lagenaria), the Arab ḳar‛ah. This is a creeping, vinelike plant which may frequently be seen trained over the rough temporary sun-shelters erected in fields or by the roadside in Palestine and Mesopotamia.