Jump to: Smith's • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Definition and Composition: Ointment in biblical times was a perfumed oil or salve used for anointing, healing, and cosmetic purposes. It was typically made from a base of olive oil mixed with aromatic spices and herbs. The preparation of ointments was a skilled craft, often involving the use of rare and costly ingredients, making them valuable commodities. Biblical Usage and Significance: Ointments held significant cultural and religious importance in the biblical world. They were used in various contexts, including religious rituals, personal grooming, and medicinal applications. 1. Religious and Ceremonial Use: Ointments were integral to religious ceremonies, particularly in the anointing of priests and kings. In Exodus 30:22-25, God instructs Moses on the preparation of a sacred anointing oil, a holy ointment, composed of myrrh, cinnamon, calamus, cassia, and olive oil. This anointing oil was used to consecrate the Tabernacle and its furnishings, as well as Aaron and his sons, setting them apart for priestly service. · Exodus 30:25 : "Prepare from these a holy anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer; it will be a holy anointing oil." 2. Royal Anointing: The anointing of kings with oil signified God's blessing and the conferring of authority. Samuel anointed Saul and later David as kings over Israel, symbolizing their divine appointment (1 Samuel 10:1; 16:13). · 1 Samuel 16:13 : "So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward." 3. Healing and Medicinal Use: Ointments were also used for their healing properties. The Good Samaritan in Jesus' parable used oil and wine to treat the wounds of the injured man (Luke 10:34). This reflects the common practice of using ointments for medicinal purposes. · Luke 10:34 : "He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine." 4. Cosmetic and Personal Use: Ointments were used for personal grooming and as perfumes. In the Song of Solomon, the bridegroom's fragrance is likened to ointment poured forth, indicating its desirability and value (Song of Solomon 1:3). · Song of Solomon 1:3 : "The fragrance of your perfume is pleasing; your name is like perfume poured out. No wonder the maidens adore you." 5. Symbol of Devotion and Worship: Ointments were used as expressions of devotion and worship. Mary of Bethany anointed Jesus' feet with costly ointment, wiping them with her hair, an act of profound love and reverence (John 12:3). This act was significant enough that Jesus declared it would be remembered wherever the gospel is preached (Matthew 26:13). · John 12:3 : "Then Mary took about a pint of expensive perfume, made of pure nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume." Cultural and Economic Value: Ointments were often expensive and considered luxury items. The alabaster jar of ointment used by Mary was valued at a year's wages, highlighting its economic significance (Mark 14:3-5). The trade of spices and ointments was a lucrative business, contributing to the wealth of regions like Sheba and Arabia. Spiritual Symbolism: In a spiritual sense, ointments symbolize the anointing of the Holy Spirit, the consecration of individuals for God's service, and the outpouring of divine grace and favor. The use of ointments in anointing reflects the setting apart of individuals for a holy purpose, as seen in the anointing of priests, prophets, and kings. Ointments in the Bible thus serve as a multifaceted symbol of healing, consecration, devotion, and divine favor, permeating both the sacred and everyday life of the biblical world. Smith's Bible Dictionary Ointment(An oily or unctuous substance, usually compounded of oil with various spices and resins and aromatics, and preserved in small alabaster boxes or cruses, in which the delicious aroma was best preserved. Some of the ointments have been known to retain their: fragrance for several hundred years. They were a much-coveted luxury, and often very expensive. --ED.)
Easton's Bible Dictionary Various fragrant preparations, also compounds for medical purposes, are so called (Exodus 30:25; Psalm 133:2; Isaiah 1:6; Amos 6:6; John 12:3; Revelation 18:13). Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (n.) Any soft substance used for smearing or anointing, usually for soothing or healing.International Standard Bible Encyclopedia OINTMENToint'-ment: The present use of the word "ointment" is to designate a thick unguent of buttery or tallow-like consistency. the King James Version in frequent instances translates shemen or meshach (see Exodus 30:25) "ointment" where a perfumed oil seemed to be indicated. the American Standard Revised Version has consequently substituted the word "oil" in most of the passages. Merqachah is rendered "ointment" once in the Old Testament (Job 41:31 (Hebrew 41:23)). The well-known power of oils and fats to absorb odors was made use of by the ancient perfumers. The composition of the holy anointing oil used in the tabernacle worship is mentioned in Exodus 30:23-25. Olive oil formed the base. This was scented with "flowing myrrh.... sweet cinnamon.... sweet calamus.... and.... cassia." The oil was probably mixed with the above ingredients added in a powdered form and heated until the oil had absorbed their odors and then allowed to stand until the insoluble matter settled, when the oil could be decanted. Olive oil, being a non-drying oil which does not thicken readily, yielded an ointment of oily consistency. This is indicated by Psalm 133:2, where it says that the precious oil ran down on Aaron's beard and on the collar of his outer garment. Anyone attempting to make the holy anointing oil would be cut off from his people (Exodus 30:33). The scented oils or ointments were kept in jars or vials (not boxes) made of alabaster. These jars are frequently found as part of the equipment of ancient tombs. Greek 3464. muron -- ointment ... ointment. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: muron Phonetic Spelling: (moo'-ron) Short Definition: anointing-oil, ointment Definition: anointing-oil ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3464.htm - 7k 3487. nardos -- nard, ointment of nard 4666. smurna -- myrrh (used as an ointment and for embalming) 3462. murizo -- to anoint 4101. pistikos -- trustworthy 211. alabastron -- a box of alabaster Strong's Hebrew 4841. merqachah -- an ointment pot... 4840, 4841. merqachah. 4842 . an ointment pot. Transliteration: merqachah Phonetic Spelling: (mer-kaw-khaw') Short Definition: ointment. Word Origin fem. ... /hebrew/4841.htm - 6k 4842. mirqachath -- an ointment mixture 7543. raqach -- to mix or compound oil or ointment 7546. raqqach -- ointment maker, perfumer 4888b. mishchah -- ointment, consecrated portion 7548. raqqachah -- (female) ointment maker, perfumer 8081. shemen -- fat, oil 7545. roqach -- spice mixture, perfume 4888. mishchah -- consecrated portion 5480a. suk -- to pour (in anointing), anoint Library The Precious Ointment. The Box of Ointment. The Cruse of Ointment The Holy Spirit is Rightly Called the Ointment of Christ... Petilianus Said: "But He Thus Praises the Ointment of Concord ... Of the Concord Between Matthew, Mark, and John in their Notices of ... Of a Holy Brother to whom the Mother of Christ Appeared when He ... Civ. Jesus Arrives and is Feasted at Bethany. Origin of the World; Basilides' Account of the "Sonship. " And Jesus Six Days Before the Passover... Thesaurus Ointment (29 Occurrences)... Standard Bible Encyclopedia. OINTMENT. oint'-ment: The present use of the word "ointment" is to designate a thick unguent of buttery or tallow-like consistency. ... /o/ointment.htm - 18k Alabaster (6 Occurrences) Anointed (132 Occurrences) Nard (5 Occurrences) Wiped (25 Occurrences) Wipe (24 Occurrences) Expensive (6 Occurrences) Poured (155 Occurrences) Perfume (202 Occurrences) Reclining (25 Occurrences) Resources What is an alabaster box? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is spikenard in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org What is the balm of Gilead? | GotQuestions.org Ointment: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Ointment (29 Occurrences)Matthew 26:7 Matthew 26:9 Matthew 26:12 Mark 14:3 Mark 14:4 Mark 14:5 Luke 7:37 Luke 7:38 Luke 7:46 John 9:6 John 11:2 John 12:3 John 12:5 Revelation 18:13 Exodus 30:25 2 Kings 20:13 1 Chronicles 9:30 Job 41:31 Psalms 133:2 Proverbs 27:9 Proverbs 27:16 Ecclesiastes 7:1 Ecclesiastes 9:8 Ecclesiastes 10:1 Song of Songs 1:3 Isaiah 1:6 Isaiah 39:2 Isaiah 57:9 Daniel 10:3 Subtopics Ointment: Not Sacred: The Alabaster Container of Ointment: Sacred: Compounded by Bezaleel Related Terms |
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