MALOBATHRON.RVm [Note: Revised Version margin.] of Son_2:17 for EV [Note: English Version.] Bether (wh. see). It is argued by Post, against this rendering, that the malobathron plant (Laurus malabathrum) did not grow wild on any of the mountains of Palestine. Others would render (by a slight textual emendation) mountains of cypresses.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible
Edited by James Hastings, D.D. Published in 1909
mal-o-bath?ron: the Revised Version margin suggests that this translation may be right instead of Bether in the phrase בּתר הרי, hārē bether (Son_2:17). But this spice never grew wild in Palestine, and so could hardly have given its name to a mountain, or mountain range. The name Bether ought therefore to be retained, notwithstanding Wellhausen (Prol.2, 415). The spice is the leaf of the Cassia lignea tree.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
PRINTER 1915.