Definition and Etymology:
Lignaloes, also known as aloeswood or agarwood, is a fragrant wood mentioned in the Bible. The term "lignaloes" is derived from the Latin "lignum aloes," meaning "wood of aloes." This aromatic wood is highly valued for its fragrance and is often associated with luxury and opulence in biblical texts.

Biblical References:
Lignaloes is referenced in several passages in the Bible, often in the context of perfumes, incense, and burial practices. In the Berean Standard Bible, it is mentioned in the following verses:

· Numbers 24:6: "Like valleys they spread out, like gardens beside a river, like aloes planted by the LORD, like cedars beside the waters." In this passage, Balaam's oracle compares the tents of Israel to the lushness and beauty of aloes planted by the Lord, signifying prosperity and divine favor.

· Psalm 45:8: "All Your garments are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; from palaces of ivory, harps make You glad." Here, the psalmist describes the royal garments of the king as being perfumed with aloes, symbolizing majesty and splendor.

· Proverbs 7:17: "I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, with aloes, and with cinnamon." In this verse, aloes are part of a seductive setting, indicating their use in creating an atmosphere of allure and attraction.

· Song of Solomon 4:14: "nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with all the trees of frankincense, myrrh and aloes, with all the finest spices." The bridegroom's garden is described with a rich array of spices, including aloes, highlighting the beauty and desirability of the beloved.

· John 19:39: "Nicodemus, who had previously come to Jesus at night, also brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds." This passage describes the use of aloes in the burial of Jesus, signifying honor and respect.

Cultural and Historical Context:
In ancient times, lignaloes was a rare and expensive commodity, often imported from distant lands such as India and Southeast Asia. The wood is produced by the Aquilaria tree, which, when infected by a specific mold, produces a dark, resinous heartwood that is highly aromatic. This process makes aloeswood rare and valuable.

Lignaloes was used in various cultural and religious practices, including embalming and as a component in incense and perfumes. Its inclusion in the burial of Jesus underscores its significance and the esteem in which it was held.

Symbolism and Theological Significance:
In the Bible, lignaloes symbolizes wealth, beauty, and divine blessing. Its use in royal and sacred contexts reflects its association with purity and holiness. The fragrance of aloes is often linked to the presence of God and the anointing of His chosen ones.

Theologically, the use of aloes in the burial of Jesus can be seen as a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and a testament to His kingship and divine mission. The precious nature of aloes underscores the honor and reverence due to Christ in His death and resurrection.

Conclusion:
Lignaloes, with its rich fragrance and symbolic depth, holds a significant place in biblical literature. Its presence in key scriptural passages highlights themes of beauty, holiness, and divine favor, offering a glimpse into the cultural and spiritual values of the biblical world.(only in pl., Hebrews `ahalim), a perfume derived from some Oriental tree (Numbers 24:6), probably the agallochum or aloe-wood. (see ALOES). ALOES; LIGNALOES

al'-oz, lin-al'-oz, lig-nal'-oz ('ahalim, Numbers 24:6, translation "lign-aloes" (= lignum aloes, "wood of aloes"), Proverbs 7:17; 'ahaloth, Psalm 45:8 Songs 4:14; aloe, John 19:39): Mentioned as a substance for perfuming garments (Psalm 45:8) and beds (Proverbs 7:17). In Songs 4:14, it occurs in a list of the most precious spices. The most memorable use of aloes as a spice is in John 19:39: "There came also Nicodemus, he who at the first came to him at night, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds." This was an immense quantity and if the aloes bore any large proportion to the myrrh the mixture must have been purchased at a very high cost. The most difficult mention of aloes is the earliest where (Numbers 24:5, 6) Balaam in his blessing on Israel exclaims-"How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, Thy tabernacles, O Israel! As valleys are they spread forth, As gardens by the river-side, As lign-aloes which Yahweh hath planted, As cedar-trees beside the waters." As the aloes in question grow in East Asia it is difficult to see how Balaam could have come to speak of them as living trees. Post (HDB, I, 69) suggests that they may possibly have been growing at that time in the Jordan valley; this is both improbable and unnecessary. Balaam need have had no actual tree in his mind's eye but may have mentioned the aloe as a tree famous over the Orient for its preciousness. That the reference is poetical rather than literal may be supposed by the expression in the next verse "cedar-trees beside the waters"-a situation very unnatural for the high-mountain-loving cedar. Yet another explanation is that the Hebrew has been altered and that 'elim, "terebinths" instead of 'ahalim, "aloes" stood in the original text. The aloe wood of the Bible is eaglewood-so misnamed by the Portuguese who confused the Malay name for it (agora) with the Latin aquila, "eagle"-a product of certain trees of the Natural Order Aquilariaceae, growing in Southeast Asia The two most valued varieties are Aquilaria malaccensis and Aloes agallocha-both fine spreading trees. The resin, which gives the fragrant quality to the wood, is formed almost entirely in the heart wood; logs are buried, the outer part decays while the inner, saturated with the resin, forms the "eagle wood" or "aloe wood" of commerce; "aloes" being the same wood in a finely powdered condition. To the Arabs this wood is known as `ud. It shows a beautiful graining and takes a high polish.

These aloes must be clearly distinguished from the well-known medicinal aloes, of ancient fame. This is a resin from Aloes socatrina, and allied species, of the Natural Order Liliaceae, originally from the island of Socotra, but now from Barbados, the Cape of Good Hope and other places. The "American aloe" (Agave americana) which today is cultivated in many parts of Palestine, is also quite distinct from the Biblical plant.

E. W. G. Masterman

Lignaloes
... probably the agallochum or aloe-wood. (see ALOES). Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia. ALOES; LIGNALOES. al'-oz, lin-al'-oz, lig-nal ...
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Lign-aloes (1 Occurrence)
Lign-aloes. Lignaloes, Lign-aloes. Ligure . Easton's Bible Dictionary ... (ASV
WBS). Lignaloes, Lign-aloes. Ligure . Reference Bible.
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Lign (1 Occurrence)

/l/lign.htm - 6k

Aloes (5 Occurrences)
... leaves Aloe vulgaris. Noah Webster's Dictionary. (n.) Plural of Aloe. Int.
Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ALOES; LIGNALOES. al'-oz, lin ...
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