In biblical times, confectionary refers to the art of preparing sweet substances, often involving the use of spices, honey, and other natural sweeteners. The term is not directly mentioned in the Bible, but the concept is evident through various references to sweet foods and spices used in ancient Israelite culture.

Biblical References and Context

1. Spices and Sweet Substances: The Bible frequently mentions spices and sweet substances, which were integral to both culinary and religious practices. In Exodus 30:34-35, the LORD instructs Moses on making a sacred incense blend, "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 passage highlights the skill involved in creating aromatic mixtures, akin to confectionary arts.

2. Honey: Honey is one of the most frequently mentioned sweeteners in the Bible. It symbolizes abundance and delight, as seen in the description of the Promised Land as "a land flowing with milk and honey" (Exodus 3:8). Honey was a natural sweetener used in various foods and offerings, reflecting its value and desirability.

3. Cakes and Offerings: Sweet cakes and offerings were part of religious rituals. In Leviticus 2:4, the grain offering is described: "Now if you bring a grain offering baked in an oven, it must consist of fine flour—unleavened cakes mixed with oil or unleavened wafers anointed with oil." While not explicitly sweet, these offerings could include sweet elements like honey or spices, aligning with the broader concept of confectionary.

4. Proverbs and Wisdom Literature: The Book of Proverbs often uses sweet imagery to convey wisdom and pleasantness. Proverbs 24:13-14 states, "Eat honey, my son, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to your taste. Know that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future for you, and your hope will not be cut off." Here, the sweetness of honey is metaphorically linked to the value of wisdom.

5. Song of Solomon: The Song of Solomon uses sweet imagery to describe love and affection. In Song of Solomon 4:11, the bridegroom says, "Your lips, my bride, drip honey; honey and milk are under your tongue. The fragrance of your garments is like the fragrance of Lebanon." This poetic language reflects the cultural appreciation for sweetness and its association with beauty and love.

Cultural and Historical Insights

In ancient Israel, confectionary practices were likely influenced by neighboring cultures, such as the Egyptians and Mesopotamians, who were known for their use of spices and sweeteners. The Israelites would have had access to a variety of spices through trade routes, allowing them to create complex and aromatic mixtures for both culinary and religious purposes.

The preparation of sweet substances required skill and knowledge, often passed down through generations. This expertise was not only practical but also held spiritual significance, as seen in the preparation of incense and offerings.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not explicitly mention confectionary as a distinct category, the use of sweet substances and spices is woven throughout the biblical narrative. These elements played a significant role in the daily life and religious practices of the Israelites, reflecting the broader cultural appreciation for sweetness and its symbolic meanings.1. (n.) A confectioner.

2. (a.) Prepared as a confection.

CONFECTION; CONFECTIONARY

kon-fek'-shun, kon-fek'-shun-a-ri (roqach "perfume," "spice," raqqahah, feminine "perfumer"):

(1) "Confection" is found in the King James Version only and but once "a confection after the art of the apothecary" (Exodus 30:35; the Revised Version (British and American) "perfume"); but the Revised Version (British and American) renders 1 Chronicles 9:30, "the confection (the King James Version "ointment") of the spices." It stands for something "made up," a mixture of perfumes or medicines, but never sweetmeats, as confection means with us.

(2) Likewise a "confectionary" is a perfumer. This word, too, is found but once (1 Samuel 8:13), "He will take your daughters to be perfumers (the King James Version "confectionaries"), and to be cooks, and to be bakers."

See PERFUME.

George B. Eager

Confectionary
... 2. (a.) Prepared as a confection. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CONFECTION;
CONFECTIONARY. ... (2) Likewise a "confectionary" is a perfumer. ...
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Confection (2 Occurrences)
... honey. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CONFECTION; CONFECTIONARY. kon-fek ...
with us. (2) Likewise a "confectionary" is a perfumer. This ...
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Confectioneries (1 Occurrence)

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Confectionaries (1 Occurrence)

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