The conventional etymology traces "Kippur" to "Kapparot", meaning "atonement" or "purification". However:
The "-ur" suffix aligns with Kartvelian adjectival formations.
The double "pp" in "Kippur" could correspond to the aspirated "ფ" in Georgian.
The Megrelian word "კიფი" (kipi), meaning "common hemp", appears in Otari Kajaia’s dictionary, reinforcing the idea that Yom Kippur could originally have been a "hemp day."
This ties intriguingly to ancient incense rituals in the Jerusalem Temple, where the High Priest (Kohen Gadol) prepared and offered fragrant substances. While the exact recipe remains unclear, historical sources suggest that cannabis was widely used in ancient Israel and beyond.
Additionally, the Megrelian word "ქიფური" (kipuri) exists in its pure form, referring to a type of aged matsoni (fermented dairy)—adding another layer to the linguistic puzzle.
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