Camphire

Camphire (KJV rendering) refers to the henna plant (Lawsonia inermis), a shrub cultivated throughout Palestine, Egypt, and Syria bearing small, intensely fragrant white or yellowish flowers. The Hebrew word kopher is translated as "henna blossoms" in modern versions. The beloved in the Song of Solomon is compared to a cluster of camphire blossoms from the vineyards of En-gedi (Song of Solomon 1:14; 4:13), and henna is listed among the choicest plants of the garden. The dye derived from henna leaves was widely used in the ancient world for ornamentation, and the flowers were worn or kept for their rich fragrance.