Amaltheia (Ἀμάλθεια): Goat, Nymph, and Horn of Plenty
The name Amaltheia appears in Greek mythology as either the goat who suckled Zeus in his infancy or the nymph who cared for him with goat’s milk. Out of her care comes the famous “Horn of Amaltheia”—the cornucopia, a symbol of abundance and provision. Surprisingly, this mythological image intersects with biblical tradition, since in the Greek Septuagint translation of Job, one of Job’s daughters is named after the horn of Amaltheia. The story of Amaltheia blends myth, proverb, and translation history, providing insight into how classical motifs sometimes entered Jewish and Christian thought.
1. Amaltheia in Greek Mythology
Amaltheia’s story has several strands:
The Goat as Nurse: In some accounts (Callimachus, Apollodorus, Diodorus Siculus), Amaltheia is the goat that nursed Zeus while he was hidden from Kronos, who devoured his children.
The Nymph as Caregiver: In other versions (Ovid, Hyginus), she is a nymph who fed Zeus with goat’s milk.
The Horn of Plenty: A horn associated with her—either broken from the goat or gifted by Zeus—became the cornucopia, a horn that produced endless abundance of food and drink.
These layers of tradition reveal Amaltheia as a figure tied to themes of nourishment, protection, and divine provision, even if framed in mythological imagery.
2. The Horn of Amaltheia and Its Symbolism
The “Horn of Amaltheia” became one of the most enduring symbols from Greek culture:
Cornucopia in Myth: It represented limitless provision, a gift from the gods.
Constellation Link: Later writers connected Amaltheia with a heavenly transformation, Zeus rewarding the goat by placing her among the stars.
Proverbial Use: Zenobius records the “Horn of Amaltheia” as a proverb meaning heavenly abundance.
This imagery illustrates the deep symbolic power of horns in ancient thought, often associated with strength, fertility, and blessing—concepts not foreign to the biblical world.
3. Amaltheia in the Book of Job
The Septuagint (LXX) introduces Amaltheia directly into Scripture:
In Job 42:14, Job’s three daughters are given symbolic names. The Hebrew text lists them as Jemimah, Keziah, and Keren-happuch (“Horn of Antimony”).
The Greek LXX, however, renders the third daughter’s name as Ἀμαλθείας Κέρας (“Horn of Amaltheia”).
This translation may come from a textual confusion in the Hebrew manuscript tradition, where words for “overflowing horn” were misread.
This curious insertion shows how Greek mythological imagery could overlap with Jewish textual tradition, especially when translators worked in a Hellenistic environment like Alexandria.
4. Amaltheia Beyond Myth and Scripture
Amaltheia’s name also appears outside of myth and Job’s translation history:
Roman Tradition: According to Lactantius, Amaltheia was the name of the Sibyl of Cumae, who sold oracles to the early Roman king Tarquinius Priscus.
Philosophical Resonance: The cornucopia as a symbol of plenty and prosperity carried through into Roman civic and political imagery, tying abundance to divine favor.
Christian Interpretation: Later interpreters often spiritualized the symbol, contrasting the abundance of the cornucopia with the true abundance of God’s providence.
Conclusion
Amaltheia bridges the worlds of Greek mythology and biblical translation, embodying themes of nurture, abundance, and divine provision. Whether as goat, nymph, or proverbial horn, she symbolizes the ancient longing for overflowing blessing. In the Septuagint’s rendering of Job’s daughter’s name, Amaltheia’s cornucopia stands as a reminder that translators and readers often drew from the cultural symbols of their time. Yet, while Greek myth placed hope in the horn of plenty, the Bible directs attention to the God who alone provides abundance and restores His people.
Bible Verses Related to Amaltheia and Provision
“The Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning.” (Job 42:12)
“And he called the name of the first Jemimah, the name of the second Keziah, and the name of the third Keren-happuch.” (Job 42:14)
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” (Psalm 23:5)
“The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof.” (Psalm 24:1)
“Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.” (Psalm 81:10)
“Honor the Lord with your wealth … then your barns will be filled with plenty.” (Proverbs 3:9–10)
“Who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” (Psalm 103:5)
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think.” (Ephesians 3:20)
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above.” (James 1:17)
