In biblical times, spices played a significant role in daily life, religious practices, and trade. The term "spices" refers to aromatic substances used for flavoring food, preparing incense, and embalming. The Bible frequently mentions spices, highlighting their importance in ancient Near Eastern culture.

Biblical References and Uses

1. Anointing and Incense: Spices were integral to the preparation of sacred anointing oil and incense. In Exodus 30:23-25, God instructs Moses to use specific spices for the holy anointing oil: "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 sacred anointing oil."

2. Burial Practices: Spices were used in burial customs to honor the deceased and mask odors. In John 19:39-40, Nicodemus brings a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds, to anoint Jesus' body: "Nicodemus, who had previously come to Jesus at night, also brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. So they took the body of Jesus and wrapped it in linen cloths with the spices, according to the Jewish burial custom."

3. Gifts and Trade: Spices were valuable commodities and often given as gifts. The Queen of Sheba's visit to Solomon is a notable example, where she brought spices as part of her tribute (1 Kings 10:2, 10): "Arriving in Jerusalem with a very large caravan—with camels bearing spices, gold in great abundance, and precious stones—she came to Solomon and spoke to him about all that was on her mind... And she gave the king 120 talents of gold, a great quantity of spices, and precious stones. Never again did such an abundance of spices come in as that which the Queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon."

4. Symbol of Love and Beauty: In the poetic language of the Song of Solomon, spices symbolize love and beauty. Song of Solomon 4:14-16 describes a garden filled with spices: "nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with all the trees of frankincense, myrrh and aloes, with all the finest spices. You are a garden spring, a well of flowing water streaming down from Lebanon. Awake, O north wind, and come, O south wind. Blow on my garden, that its fragrance may spread abroad. Let my beloved come into his garden and taste its choicest fruits."

Cultural and Religious Significance

Spices were not only practical but also held religious and cultural significance. They were used in temple rituals, symbolizing purity and devotion. The preparation and use of spices in religious contexts underscored the importance of holiness and reverence in worship.

Economic Importance

The trade of spices was a major economic activity in the ancient world. Caravans transported spices from distant lands, making them luxury items in many regions. The demand for spices contributed to the development of trade routes and interactions between different cultures.

Conclusion

The biblical references to spices reflect their multifaceted role in ancient society, encompassing religious, cultural, and economic dimensions. Their use in sacred rituals and daily life underscores their enduring value and significance throughout biblical history.Spices Spice

1. Heb. basam, besem or bosem . In (Solomon 5:1) "I have gathered my myrrh with my spice," the word points apparently to some definite substance. In the other places, with the exception perhaps of (Solomon 1:13; 6:2) the words refer more generally to sweet aromatic odors, the principal of which was that of the balsam or balm of Gilead; the tree which yields this substance is now generally admitted to be the Balsam-odendron opobalsamum . The balm of Gilead tree grows in some parts of Arabia and Africa, and is seldom more than fifteen feet high, with straggling branches and scanty foliage. The balsam is chiefly obtained from incisions in the bark, but is procured also from the green and ripe berries.
2. Necoth . (Genesis 37:25; 43:11) The most probable explanation is that which refers the word to the Arabic nakuat i.e. "the gum obtained from the tragacanth" (Astragalus).
3. Sammim , a general term to denote those aromatic substances which were used in the preparation of the anointing oil, the incense offerings, etc. The spices mentioned as being used by Nicodemus for the preparation of our Lord's body, (John 19:39,40) are "myrrh and aloes," by which latter word must be understood not the aloes of medicine, but the highly-scented wood of the Aquilaria agallochum .

759. aroma -- a spice
... Definition: spice, perfume. Word Origin of uncertain origin Definition
a spice NASB Word Usage spices (4). sweet spice. From airo ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/759.htm - 6k1314. bosem -- spice, balsam, the balsam tree
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition spice, balsam, the balsam tree NASB Word
Usage balsam (3), fragrant (2), spice (2), spices (22), sweet perfume (1). ...
/hebrew/1314.htm - 6k

5561. sam -- spice (used in incense)
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition spice (used in incense) NASB Word Usage
fragrant (12), fragrant spices (1), spices (2), sweet (1). sweet spice. ...
/hebrew/5561.htm - 6k

5219. nekoth -- (a spice) perhaps tragacanth gum
... Definition: gum. Word Origin from naka Definition (a spice) perhaps tragacanth
gum NASB Word Usage aromatic gum (2). spices. From nake ...
/hebrew/5219.htm - 6k

7543. raqach -- to mix or compound oil or ointment
... blended (1), mix (1), mix in the spices (1), perfumer (3), perfumer's (1), perfumers'*
(1), prepared (1). apothecary, compound, make ointment, prepare, spice. ...
/hebrew/7543.htm - 6k

Chapter v.
... my garden, my sister, my spouse; I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have ... my
garden, my sister spouse; I have gathered my myrrhs with my spices; I have ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/chapter v.htm

The Embalming of the Body of Jesus.
... The holy women held the vases, sponges, linen, unction, and spices, according as
required ... the large wounds made by the nails with this ointment or sweet spice. ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter li the embalming of.htm

The Joy of Unbroken Communion
... She is ready for any experience: the north wind and the south may blow upon her
garden, if only the spices thereof may ... I have gathered My myrrh with My spice; ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/union and communion/section iii the joy of.htm

"My Garden" --"His Garden"
... Then comes love; and again I must ask,"Is there to be found anywhere a sweeter spice
than this,"the love ... These, then, are some of the saints' sweet spices. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 42 1896/my gardenhis garden.htm

Of the Priesthood of Aaron.
... weight of cinnamon and calamus [this last is a sort of sweet spice]; to beat ... There
were also many, and those of various kinds, of sweet spices, that belonged ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 of the priesthood.htm

The Church the Garden of Christ, Cant. 4 12 14 15, and 5 1
... 2 Like trees of myrrh and spice we stand, Planted by God the Father's hand; And ... 4
Make our best spices flow abroad To entertain our Saviour God: And faith, and ...
/.../watts/hymns and spiritual songs/hymn 0 093055556 the church the.htm

The Church the Garden of Christ. Ss 4:12-15; 5:01
... Out of the world's wide wilderness. Like trees of myrrh and spice we stand,. ... A gracious
gale on plants beneath. Make our best spices flow abroad,. ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/hymn 74 the church the.htm

A Farther Quotation from virgilius Maro Respecting Christ, with ...
... Bag.] "Assyrian cinnamon," Kennedy, p. 28; "the cardamon's spice shall grow, That
from Assyria's gardens," Wilstach, 1, p. 157; "Syrian spices," Trapp, 1, p. 92 ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter xx a farther quotation from.htm

The Nations of the South-East
... from the southern coasts of the Arabian peninsula, and the precious spices had been ...
The culture had spread from the spice-bearing lands of the south, where it ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iii the nations of.htm

Gethsemane
... most sweet spices when it was wounded under the knotty whips, and when it was pierced
by the nails on the cross; but see, it giveth forth its best spice when ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/gethsemane.htm

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