In biblical contexts, the term "compound" can refer to a mixture or combination of elements, often used in the preparation of sacred anointing oils and incense. The concept of compounding is significant in the Old Testament, particularly in the instructions given to Moses for the creation of holy anointing oil and incense for use in the Tabernacle.

Anointing Oil

The anointing oil is a prime example of a compound in the Bible. In Exodus 30:22-25, God provides Moses with a specific recipe for the holy anointing oil: "Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Take the finest spices: 500 shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much (that is, 250 shekels) of fragrant cinnamon, 250 shekels of fragrant cane, 500 shekels of cassia—all according to the sanctuary shekel—and a hin of olive oil. Prepare from these a holy anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer; it will be a holy anointing oil.'"

This compound was used to consecrate the Tabernacle, the Ark of the Covenant, the table and all its utensils, the lampstand and its accessories, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and the basin with its stand. The anointing oil symbolized the sanctification and setting apart of these items for divine service.

Incense

Similarly, the incense used in the Tabernacle was a compound of specific ingredients. Exodus 30:34-35 states, "Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Take fragrant spices—gum resin, onycha, and 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.'"

This incense was to be burned on the altar of incense, and its unique composition was not to be replicated for personal use, underscoring its sacred purpose.

Symbolism and Significance

The compounding of these sacred substances highlights the importance of purity, precision, and obedience in worship. The specific instructions for their preparation and use reflect the holiness and separateness of God, as well as the need for His people to approach Him with reverence and respect.

The use of compounds in the Bible also points to the idea of unity and harmony, as different elements are brought together to create something of greater significance and purpose. This can be seen as a metaphor for the body of believers, who, though diverse, are united in Christ to serve a common purpose.

Prohibitions and Warnings

The Bible also includes strict prohibitions regarding the misuse of these compounds. Exodus 30:32-33 warns, "It must not be poured on the bodies of ordinary men, and you must not make anything with this same formula. It is holy, and it must be holy to you. Anyone who mixes perfume like it or puts it on an outsider shall be cut off from his people."

These warnings emphasize the sanctity of the compounds and the seriousness with which God views the observance of His commands. The anointing oil and incense were not merely ritualistic elements but were integral to the worship and covenant relationship between God and His people.1. (n.) In the East Indies, an enclosure containing a house, outbuildings, etc.

2. (v. t.) To form or make by combining different elements, ingredients, or parts; as, to compound a medicine.

3. (v. t.) To put together, as elements, ingredients, or parts, in order to form a whole; to combine, mix, or unite.

4. (v. t.) To modify or change by combination with some other thing or part; to mingle with something else.

5. (v. t.) To compose; to constitute.

6. (v. t.) To settle amicably; to adjust by agreement; to compromise; to discharge from obligation upon terms different from those which were stipulated; as, to compound a debt.

7. (v. i.) To effect a composition; to come to terms of agreement; to agree; to settle by a compromise; -- usually followed by with before the person participating, and for before the thing compounded or the consideration.

8. (v. t.) Composed of two or more elements, ingredients, parts; produced by the union of several ingredients, parts, or things; composite; as, a compound word.

9. (n.) That which is compounded or formed by the union or mixture of elements ingredients, or parts; a combination of simples; a compound word; the result of composition.

10. (n.) A union of two or more ingredients in definite proportions by weight, so combined as to form a distinct substance; as, water is a compound of oxygen and hydrogen.

COMPOSITION; COMPOUND

kom-po-zish'-un, kom'-pound (mathkoneth, "measure"); (subst.) (raqach, "to make perfume," roqach, "perfume"): Used of the sacred anointing oil (Exodus 30:25, 32, 33) and of the holy perfume (Exodus 30:37, 38), which were not to be used for any profane purpose.

678. aprosopolemptos -- not accepting the person, ie without ...
... Adverb from a compound of a (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of
a presumed compound of prosopon and lambano (compare prosopoleptes); in a way ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/678.htm - 7k

4758. stratologeo -- to enlist soldiers
... From a compound of the base of stratia and lego (in its original sense); to gather
(or select) as a warrior, ie Enlist in the army -- choose to be a soldier. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4758.htm - 6k

4774. suggnome -- confession, fellow feeling
... concession, permission. From a compound of sun and ginosko; fellow knowledge,
ie Concession -- permission. see GREEK sun. see GREEK ginosko. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4774.htm - 6k

4786. sugkerannumi -- to mix together, hence to agree with
... 4786 (from 4862 , "identified ," intensifying 2767 , "mix into a new and improved
compound") -- properly, into a superior -- "a " () where the parts . ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4786.htm - 7k

5148. trietia -- a period of three years
... three years. From a compound of treis and etos; a three years' period (triennium) --
space of three years. see GREEK treis. see GREEK etos. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5148.htm - 6k

4943. sunupourgeo -- to help together
... help together. From sun and a derivative of a compound of hupo and the base of ergon;
to be a co-auxiliary, ie Assist -- help together. see GREEK sun. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4943.htm - 7k

4883. sunarmologeo -- to fit together
... From sun and a derivative of a compound of harmos and lego (in its original sense
of laying); to render close-jointed together, ie Organize compactly -- be ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4883.htm - 7k

4955. sustasiastes -- rebel
... rebel From a compound of sun and a derivative of stasis; a fellow-insurgent --
make insurrection with. see GREEK sun. see GREEK stasis. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4955.htm - 6k

4831. summimetes -- a fellow imitator
... a fellow-imitator. From a presumed compound of sun and mimeomai; a co-imitator,
ie Fellow votary -- follower together. see GREEK sun. see GREEK mimeomai. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4831.htm - 6k

5206. huiothesia -- adoption
... adoption. From a presumed compound of huios and a derivative of tithemi; the placing
as a son, ie Adoption (figuratively, Christian sonship in respect to God ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5206.htm - 7k

7543. raqach -- to mix or compound oil or ointment
... raqach. 7544 . to mix or compound oil or ointment. Transliteration: raqach Phonetic
Spelling: (raw-kakh') Short Definition: perfumer. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/7543.htm - 6k

4842. mirqachath -- an ointment mixture
... perfumers'* (1). prepared by the apothecaries' art, compound, ointment. From
raqach; an aromatic unguent; also an unguent-pot -- prepared ...
/hebrew/4842.htm - 6k

Simple and Compound.
... Book VIII. Chapter IX."Simple and Compound. Then Niceta began as follows:
[814] "Everything that is, is either simple or compound. ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter ix simple and compound.htm

Whether the Soul is Simple or Compound.
... On the Subject of the Soul. V. Whether the Soul is Simple or Compound.
We prove, then, that the soul is simple, best of all, by ...
/.../dubious or spurious writings of gregory thaumaturgus/v whether the soul is.htm

Concerning the one Compound Subsistence of God the Word.
... Book III. Chapter VII."Concerning the one compound subsistence of God
the Word. We hold then that the divine subsistence of God ...
/.../exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter vii concerning the one compound.htm

Whether God Enters into the Composition of Other Things?
... Dom., [*Serm. xxxviii]) that, "the word of God, which is God, is an uncreated form."
But a form is part of a compound. Therefore God is part of some compound. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether god enters into the.htm

Concerning Christ's Two Natures, in Opposition to those who Hold ...
... departing from its native simplicity, nor yet the human being either changed into
the nature of God or reduced to non-existence, nor one compound nature being ...
/.../exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter iii concerning christs two natures.htm

The Endless Quest
... Remacu:"touching the text with the point of needle, Bengel exclaims: "A grand compound!"
And it is a "grand compound." The verb in the text is not simply to ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/whyte/lord teach us to pray/xxiii the endless quest.htm

Whether a Name Can be Given to God?
... And because in creatures of this kind what is perfect and subsistent is compound;
whereas their form is not a complete subsisting thing, but rather is that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether a name can be.htm

Concerning the Manner in which the Word was Conceived, and ...
... Divine seed, and from her holy and most pure blood He formed flesh animated with
the spirit of reason and thought, the first-fruits of our compound nature [1955 ...
/.../john/exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter ii name the manner.htm

Ninth Tractate. The Intellectual-Principle, the Ideas, and the ...
... All that we see, and describe as having existence, we know to be compound;
hand-wrought or compacted by nature, nothing is simplex. ...
/.../plotinus/the six enneads/ninth tractate the intellectual-principle the.htm

Concerning the Energies in Our Lord Jesus Christ.
... But, if there is one energy belonging to both His divinity and His humanity, it
will be compound, and will be either a different energy from that of the Father ...
/.../john/exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter xv concerning the energies in.htm

Compound (3 Occurrences)
... outbuildings, etc. 2. (vt) To form or make by combining different elements,
ingredients, or parts; as, to compound a medicine. 3. (vt ...
/c/compound.htm - 9k

Mixture (16 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) That which results from mixing different ingredients together; a compound;
as, to drink a mixture of molasses and water; -- also, a medley. ...
/m/mixture.htm - 12k

Alloy
... 1. (vt) Any combination or compound of metals fused together; a mixture of metals;
for example, brass, which is an alloy of copper and zinc. ...
/a/alloy.htm - 7k

Lasciviousness (9 Occurrences)
... unbridled lust," "shamelessness," "outrageousness"): 1. Sources: Etymologists assign
three probable sources of aselgeia, namely: (1) from a compound of the ...
/l/lasciviousness.htm - 11k

Mix (10 Occurrences)
... of the parts of, as of two or more substances with each other, or of one substance
with others; to unite or blend into one mass or compound, as by stirring ...
/m/mix.htm - 9k

Individual (12 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) An independent, or partially independent, zooid of a compound animal.
5. (n.) The product of a single egg, whether it remains ...
/i/individual.htm - 11k

Formula (2 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) A prescription or recipe for the preparation of a medicinal compound.
5. (n.) A symbolic expression (by means of letters ...
/f/formula.htm - 7k

Treasurer (6 Occurrences)
... treasure." Found only once in Acts 8:27 concerning the Ethiopian "who was over all
her (Queen Candace's) treasure." In the compound gazophulakion, "guarding of ...
/t/treasurer.htm - 17k

Equivalent (3 Occurrences)
... Specifically: (a) The comparative proportions by which one element replaces another
in any particular compound; thus, as zinc replaces hydrogen in hydrochloric ...
/e/equivalent.htm - 8k

Compounder (3 Occurrences)
... Compounder (3 Occurrences). Exodus 30:25 and thou hast made it a holy anointing
oil, a compound mixture, work of a compounder; it is a holy anointing oil. (YLT) ...
/c/compounder.htm - 7k

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