Kikajon

2 Kings xxiii. 4.KIKAJON. We read this Word in Jonah iv. 6, where S. Jerom uses Hedera, Ivy. The Septuagint translate it Gourd¹. Aquila translates it Ivy, as well as S. Jerom. Vide Hieronym. in Jonam iv.This Father confesses, that the Word Ivy does not answer the Signification of the Hebrew Kikajon; but as he could not find any Latin Words proper to express it, he chose rather to set down Hedera, than to leave Kikajon, which might be taken for a monstrous Animal in the Indies, or Mountains of Bœotia. His Account of Kikajon is this. It is a Shrub which grows in the Sandy Places of Palestine, and encreases so suddenly, that within few Days it comes to a considerable Height. The Leaves of it are large, and like those almost of the Vine. It is supported by its Trunk, without being upheld by any thing else, and furnishes a very agreeable Shade under the Thickness of its Leaves.

Modern Interpreters almost all agree, that the Hebrew Kikajon signifies the Kimchi. Bochart. Mont. Jun. Pisc. Mercer. Grot. Buxt. Drus. Ursin. Burman alii.Palma Christi, or Ricinus, in Egyptian called Kiki, and in Greek, Seli-cyprion. It is a Plant like a Lilly, the Leaves whereof are smooth, scattered here and there, and spotted with black Spots. The Stem of it is round and glossy, and produces Flowers of divers Colours. Doscorides says, that there is a Sort of it which grows large like a Tree, and as high as a Figtree. The Leaves of it are like those of the Plum-tree, tho’ broader, smoother and blacker. The Branches and Trunk of it are hollow like a Reed. Jonah in all Probability speaks of this last Species. St. Austin relates, that an African Bishop appointing St. Jerom’s Translation to be 1 Aug. Ep. 71. & Hieronym. inter Augustin. 75. n. 22.read in the Congregation of his People, all who were present were offended, when they heard an Ivy nam’d instead of a Gourd, which they were used to hear; that they found it necessary to refer themselves hereupon to the Jews who were in the City, and out of Malice or Ignorance declared, that the Hebrew signified a Gourd: So that the Bishop, to appease his People, and prevent their leaving his Communion, was forced to say, that St. Jerom’s Translation was faulty in this Place.

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