Napalm
In the Bible (2 Maccabees 1:36) there is a reference to Naphtha, which was the liquid left when the fire from the alter went out after being hidden for generations in a dry cistern. And the first part of Napalm refers to Naphthenic acid. Seems too close to be a coincidence, but I couldn't find any direct links to the two on the web, so I thought I'd add one here!
Any thoughts from you bible scholars?
2 comments:
I'm no bible scholar, but thought it was an interesting question. As you guessed, there is a link.
The origin of the word Naphtha is unclear. It is an Ancient Greek word which was used to refer to any sort of petroleum or pitch. The Greeks themselves borrowed the word from the Old Persian words nafata, naft or neft, which were used to describe bubbling oil. Naphtha may also have been derived from the name of the Vedic Hindu and Avestic god Apam Napat, a form of Agni, or fire god.
Naphtha is the root of the words naphthalene and napalm, which is derived from naphtha by mixing under controlled conditions with aluminium salts of palmitic acid (a type of soap).
Interesting...thanks!!
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