Lexical Summary ahalim: Aloes Original Word: אֲהָלִים Strong's Exhaustive Concordance tree of aloes Or (feminine) ahalowth {a-haw-loth'} (only used thus in the plural); of foreign origin; aloe wood (i.e. Sticks) -- (tree of lign-) aloes. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition the aloe (a tree) NASB Translation aloes (4). Brown-Driver-Briggs III. [אהל] noun [masculine] odorific tree, aloe (?) (? loan-word from Sanskrit aguru, agaru, dialect aghil, compare WilsonSkr. Dict.; M. Müller in PuseyDaniel 2d ed. p. 647 f; aloÎxylon agallochum (compare SigismundAromata, Leipz. 1884, p. 38 f, MV cite KondrackiBeitr. z. Kenntn. d. Aloe, Dorpat 1874 & BaerReden III, 293 f); others aloe succotrina (SchenkelBL, compare Di ad Numbers 24:6); Wetzst in DeSong of Solomon 2d ed. 167 brings under I. אהל; he proposes cardamum, Arabic  from  = little tents, from three-cornered shape of capsules) 1 plural אֲהָלִים trees planted by ׳י Numbers 24:6 ("" ארזים perhaps error for אֵילִים compare Di. 2 aloes, as sweet-smelling; perfume for bed, אֲהָלִים Proverbs 7:17 ("" מֹר, קִנָּמוֺן); for garments אֲהָלוֺת Psalm 45:9 ("" מֹר, קְצִיעוֺת); of bride, under figure of odorific tree Songs 4:14 ("" מֹר, כָּלרָֿאשֵׁי בְשָׂמִים). Topical Lexicon Botanical and Commercial Background Aloes was the name given in antiquity to the resin-saturated heartwood of certain large evergreen trees that grow from northern India across Southeast Asia. After the outer wood decayed, the fragrant core was harvested, ground, and mixed with oils. The caravans that brought gold, myrrh, and precious stones to the Near East also carried this costly product. In Scripture it is grouped with myrrh, cassia, nard, and cinnamon—elite imports reserved for royal courts, bridal preparations, and burial rites. Old Testament Occurrences 1. Numbers 24:6 situates aloes in Balaam’s oracle of blessing: “Like aloes planted by the LORD.” The image evokes a deliberately placed, luxuriant fragrance that God Himself has established for Israel. Symbolism and Theological Themes • Divine Planting and Prosperity: In Numbers 24:6 the fragrance is linked to fertile valleys and cedars. Aloes thus becomes a metaphor for covenant abundance—what God plants is both beautiful and enduring. Historical and Redemptive Connections By the first century the term had broadened to include powdered aloeswood mixed with myrrh for embalming (John 19:39). Nicodemus’s lavish gift parallels Psalm 45:8, where King and Groom are one. The fragrance that once marked royal celebration now attends the burial of the true King, proclaiming both His death and the promise of resurrection glory. Practical Ministry Insights • Celebration of Christ’s Worth: Worship leaders may draw on Psalm 45 to emphasize that every costly offering finds its highest fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. Summary Aloes in Scripture speak of wealth, purity, covenant love, and sacrificial devotion. Whether blessing Israel’s future, clothing the Messianic King, exposing the deceit of sin, or adorning marital delight, the aroma consistently underscores the goodness and intentionality of God. In Christ the fragrance reaches its climax, filling both life and death with the promise of resurrection and eternal communion. Forms and Transliterations אֲ֝הָלִ֗ים אהלים וַאֲהָל֔וֹת וַאֲהָל֣וֹת ואהלות כַּאֲהָלִים֙ כאהלים ’ă·hā·lîm ’ăhālîm ahaLim ka’ăhālîm ka·’ă·hā·lîm kaahaLim vaahaLot wa’ăhālōwṯ wa·’ă·hā·lō·wṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 24:6 HEB: עֲלֵ֣י נָהָ֑ר כַּאֲהָלִים֙ נָטַ֣ע יְהוָ֔ה NAS: the river, Like aloes planted KJV: by the river's side, as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD INT: beside the river aloes planted the LORD Psalm 45:8 Proverbs 7:17 Songs 4:14 4 Occurrences |
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