Lexical Summary sam: Spice, perfume, aromatic Original Word: סַם Strong's Exhaustive Concordance sweet spice From an unused root meaning to smell sweet; an aroma -- sweet (spice). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition spice (used in incense) NASB Translation fragrant (12), fragrant spices (1), spices (2), sweet (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [סַם]16 noun masculine spice, used in incense; — only plural absolute סַמִּים, and only P, Chronicles; Exodus 30:34 (twice in verse), elsewhere (הַ)סַּמִּים קְטֹרֶת incense of spices Exodus 25:6 8t. Exodus; Leviticus 4:7; Leviticus 16:12; Numbers 4:16; 2Chron 2:3; 2 Chronicles 3:11. Topical Lexicon Definition and Scope סַם designates aromatic substances prepared for sacred use—chiefly the fragrant incense and anointing oils employed in Israel’s corporate worship. Although cognate words describe decorative spices or medicines, every biblical occurrence of this term centers on the sanctuary and its ministry before the LORD. Canonical Occurrences and Narrative Setting Sixteen verses cluster around two covenantal venues: the wilderness tabernacle (Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers) and the Solomonic temple later maintained in Judah (2 Chronicles). This distribution underscores continuity between the Mosaic pattern and Jerusalem’s centralized worship. Composition and Preparation Exodus 30:34–35 provides the only inspired recipe: “Take fragrant spices—stacte, onycha, galbanum—and pure frankincense, all in equal measures. And make a fragrant blend of incense, the work of a perfumer, seasoned with salt, pure and holy”. Set apart from ordinary perfumery, this blend could not be duplicated for personal use (Exodus 30:37–38). The restriction guarded the transcendence of divine worship and protected Israel against syncretistic appropriation. Function in Sacred Worship 1. Daily Intercession: “Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it every morning… and when Aaron sets up the lamps at twilight” (Exodus 30:7–8). The twice-daily offering bookended Israel’s sacrificial schedule, depicting unceasing mediation. Theological Symbolism • Acceptance: The smoke ascending from the golden altar visualized prayers accompanied by divine approval (Psalm 141:2). Typology Fulfilled in Christ The fragrant blend anticipates the perfect intercession of Jesus Messiah. Hebrews 7:25 declares, “Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.” Revelation 8:3–4 portrays golden-altar incense mingling with the prayers of the saints through the merits of the Lamb. The once-for-all atonement (Hebrews 9:24–26) renders perpetual animal sacrifice obsolete, yet the Godward fragrance remains in His ongoing priestly ministry. Lessons for Christian Worship and Ministry • Prayer is central, continual, and to be offered through Christ’s mediation. From Sinai to Zion and from Calvary to eternity, סַם traces an unbroken thread of fragrant communion between God and His redeemed people. Forms and Transliterations הַסַּמִּ֑ים הַסַּמִּ֔ים הַסַּמִּ֖ים הַסַּמִּֽים׃ הַסַּמִּים֙ הסמים הסמים׃ סַמִּ֑ים סַמִּ֖ים סַמִּ֗ים סַמִּים֩ סמים has·sam·mîm hassamMim hassammîm sam·mîm samMim sammîmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 25:6 HEB: הַמִּשְׁחָ֔ה וְלִקְטֹ֖רֶת הַסַּמִּֽים׃ NAS: oil and for the fragrant incense, KJV: oil, and for sweet incense, INT: the anointing incense the fragrant Exodus 30:7 Exodus 30:34 Exodus 30:34 Exodus 31:11 Exodus 35:8 Exodus 35:15 Exodus 35:28 Exodus 37:29 Exodus 39:38 Exodus 40:27 Leviticus 4:7 Leviticus 16:12 Numbers 4:16 2 Chronicles 2:4 2 Chronicles 13:11 16 Occurrences |
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