Spice, Spices
Spice, Spices
SPICE, SPICES.1. bsm, Son 5:2, RVm [Note: Revised Version margin.] balsam; bsem [once, Exo 30:23, besem], plur. bsmm. In Exo 30:23 is a list of various aromatic substances Included under the name bsmm. These were stored in the Temple (1Ch 9:29), and in Hezekiahs treasure-house (2Ki 20:13); they were used for anointing the dead (2Ch 16:14), and also as perfumes for the living (Son 4:10 etc.). 2. sammim, Exo 30:34 sweet spices; and, along with incense, Exo 30:7; Exo 40:27, Lev 4:7, Num 4:16 etc. In the first passage the sweet spices are enumerated as stacte, onycha, and galbanum (all of which see). 3. nkth, Gen 37:25 spicery (RVm [Note: Revised Version margin.] gum tragacanth or storax), Gen 43:11 (RV [Note: Revised Version.] spicery). The gum tragacanth is the product of the Astragalus gummifer, of which several species are known in Syria. The storax (Styrax officinalis), a shrub with beautiful white flowers, also affords an aromatic gum valued by the ancients. Whether nkth corresponded definitely to one of these, or was a generic term for perfumes, is an open question. 4. 5. Gr. armata (Mar 16:1, EV [Note: English Version.] spices) and ammon (Rev 18:13, RVm [Note: Revised Version margin.] amomum, RV [Note: Revised Version.] spice, AV [Note: Authorized Version.] omits) are probably both generic.
E. W. G. Masterman.
Fuente: Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible
Spice, Spices
sps, spsis, -sez:
(1) (, besem (Exo 30:23), , bosem, plural , besamm, all from root to attract by desire, especially by smell): The list of spices in Exo 30:23 includes myrrh, cinnamon, sweet calamus cassia. These, mixed with olive oil, made the holy anointing oil. Officials of the temple had charge of the spices (1Ch 9:29). Among the treasures of the temple shown by Hezekiah to the messengers of Babylon were the spices (2Ki 20:13). They were used in the obsequies of kings (2Ch 16:14) and in preparation of a bride for a royal marriage (Est 2:12, sweet-odors = balsam). Spices are frequently mentioned in Song (Exo 4:10, Exo 4:14, Exo 4:16; Exo 5:1, margin and the King James Version balsam; Son 5:13; Son 6:2, bed of spices, margin balsam; Son 8:14). These passages in Song may refer in particular to balsam, the product of the balsam plant, Balsamodendron opobalsamum, a plant growing in Arabia. According to Josephus it was cultivated at Jericho, the plant having been brought to Palestine by the Queen of Sheba (Ant., VIII, vi, 6; see also XIV, iv, 1; XV, iv, 2; BJ, I, vi, 6). See MYRRH.
(2) , sammm (Exo 30:34, sweet spices)): Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; sweet spices with pure frankincense. It is a general term for fragrant substances finely powdered. Compare Arabic shamm, a smell or sense of smell; generally translated sweet incense (Exo 25:6; Exo 30:7; Exo 31:11; Exo 35:8, Exo 35:15, Exo 35:28; Exo 39:38; Exo 40:27 (the King James Version only); Lev 4:7; Lev 16:12; Num 4:16; 2Ch 2:4 (the King James Version only); 2Ch 13:11). In Exo 37:29; Exo 40:27; 2Ch 2:4, we have , ketoreth sammm, incense of sweet spices.
(3) (, nekho’th; , thumiamata (Gen 37:25, spicery, margin gum tragacanth or storax); , thumama incense (Gen 43:11, spicery; some Greek versions and the Vulgate (Jerome’s Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) have storax)): Storax is the dried gum of the beautiful Styrax officinalis (see POPLAR), which was used as incense – different article from that now passing under that name. Tragacanth is the resinous gum of several species of milk vetch (Natural Order, Leguminosae), especially of the Astragalus gummifer. Septuagint incense is probably the best translation.
(4) (, rekah, spiced wine (Son 8:2)). See WINE.
(5) (, aroma, spices (Mar 16:1, the King James Version sweet spices; Luk 23:56; Luk 24:1; Joh 19:40; in Joh 19:39 defined as a mixture of aloes and myrrh)). See PERFUMES; BURIAL.
(6) (, amomon (Rev 18:13), margin amomum; the King James Version odours): The Greek means blameless, and it was apparently applied in classical times to any sweet and fine odor. In modern botany the name Amomum is given to a genus in the Natural Order. Zingiberaceae. The well-known cardamon seeds (Amomum cardamomum) and the A. grana Paradisi which yields the well-known grains of Paradise, used as a stimulant, both belong to this genus. What was the substance indicated in Rev 18:13 is quite uncertain.