Cocytus (River)

Cocytus (River) 

 

 

https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/colocynth 

https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/vine_of_Sodom 

https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/colocynth  

 

 

Colocynths, also known as Citrullus colocynthis, are a plant species mentioned in the Bible, primarily recognized for their bitter fruit. This plant is native to the Mediterranean region and parts of Asia and Africa. It is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, which includes cucumbers and melons. The colocynth is characterized by its round, gourd-like fruit, which is extremely bitter and toxic if consumed in large quantities.

 

The most notable mention of colocynths in the Bible is found in 2 Kings 4:38-41. In this passage, the prophet Elisha encounters a group of prophets during a time of famine. One of the men goes out to gather herbs and unknowingly collects wild gourds, which are later identified as colocynths. When these gourds are added to the pot of stew, the men cry out, "There is death in the pot!" Elisha then instructs them to bring flour, which he throws into the pot, rendering the stew harmless. This miraculous event demonstrates God's provision and protection through His prophet Elisha.

2 Kings 4:38-41 : "When Elisha returned to Gilgal, there was a famine in the land. As the sons of the prophets were sitting before him, he said to his servant, 'Put on the large pot and cook some stew for these men.' One of them went out into the field to gather herbs and found a wild vine from which he picked as many wild gourds as his garment would hold. Then he came back and cut them into the pot of stew, though no one knew what they were. And they poured it out for the men to eat. But when they tasted the stew, they cried out, 'There is death in the pot, O man of God!' And they could not eat it. Then Elisha said, 'Get some flour.' He put it into the pot and said, 'Pour it out for the people to eat.' And there was nothing harmful in the pot."  

 

 

 

1 Kings 6:18
And the cedar of the house within was carved with colocynths and half-open flowers: all was cedar; there was no stone seen.

1 Kings 7:24
And under the brim of it round about there were colocynths, encompassing it, ten in a cubit enclosing the sea round about; two rows of colocynths, cast when it was cast. 

2 Kings 4:39
Then one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered from it his lap full of wild colocynths, and came and shred them into the pot of pottage; for they did not know them.