SPICES
Spices
aromatic substances, of which several are named in Ex. 30. They were used in the sacred anointing oil (Ex. 25:6; 35:8; 1 Chr. 9:29), and in embalming the dead (2 Chr. 16:14; Luke 23:56; 24:1; John 19:39, 40). Spices were stored by Hezekiah in his treasure-house (2 Kings 20:13; Isa. 39:2).
Fuente: Easton’s Bible Dictionary
Spices
basam. Not pungent, as pepper, ginger, etc., but aromatic woods, seeds, or gums (Son 6:2; Son 5:1). Balsam or balm of Gilead, Amyris opobalsamum; a tropical plant that grew in the plains of Jericho and the hot valleys of southern Palestine. KJV translated not basam, but tseri or tsori, “balm”. (See BALM.) The balm of Gilead tree is not more than 15 ft. high, with straggling branches and scanty foil age. The balsam is procured from the bark by incision, and from the green and ripe berries.
The nekoth, “spicery” Gen 37:25, is the storax or gum of the styrax tree (Speaker’s Commentary). Arabic nekaat, the gum exuding from the tragacanth (astragalus); when exposed to the air it hardens into lumps or worm-like spires (Smith’s Bible Dictionary). In 2Ki 20:13 margin, “house of spicery” expresses the original design of the house; but it was used ultimutely for storing Hezekiah’s other “precious things.” Sammim, a general term for aromatics used in preparing the holy anointing oil. Certain Levites especially “oversaw the frankincense and spices” (1Ch 9:29-30). Myrrh and aloes were among the spices wrapped with Jesus’ body (Joh 19:39-40; compare also 2Ch 16:4; Mar 16:1; Luk 23:56; Luk 24:1).
Fuente: Fausset’s Bible Dictionary
SPICES
From very early times spices were in great demand among the peoples of Palestine and surrounding countries. Some spices were grown locally, but many were imported from the East, bringing wealth to traders and to the governments who taxed them (Gen 37:25; 1Ki 10:2; Song of Son 3:6; Isa 60:6; Jer 6:20; Eze 27:17; Rev 18:11-13). Among these spices were frankincense, myrrh, galbanum, stacte, onycha, cassia, aloes, cummin, dill, cinnamon, mint, rue, mustard, balm, sweet cane, henna, nard, saffron and calumus (Gen 37:25; Exo 30:23-24; Exo 30:34; Song of Son 3:6; Son 4:13-14; Jer 6:20; Mat 23:23; Luk 11:42; Luk 13:19).
Spices came from the gum of certain trees and from plants and herbs (Song of Son 4:14). People used spices in preparing food and drinks (Song of Son 8:2; Eze 24:10; Mat 23:23), and in making a variety of oils, medicines, cosmetics, deodorants and disinfectants (Est 2:12; Psa 45:8; Pro 7:17; Song of Son 4:10; Son 4:14; Son 5:13; Jer 8:22; Jer 51:8; Luk 7:46; Joh 12:3; Joh 19:39).
The preparation of these substances involved heating, drying, boiling, soaking and crushing. It was a specialized art in which some people became highly skilled (Exo 30:35; 1Sa 8:13; 2Ch 16:14). People placed great value on some of these substances, and preserved them in expensive boxes that they opened on special occasions (Isa 3:20; Mar 14:3; Luk 7:37-38).
Among Israelites the most sacred use of spices was in preparing oil and incense for use in religious rituals. Oil was used to anoint priests, and incense was burnt in the tabernacle (Exo 30:22-38; see OIL; INCENSE).
In relation to Jesus, people used spices, or substances made from them, to present in homage to him (Mat 2:11), to anoint and refresh him (Luk 7:46; Joh 12:3), and to offer him on the cross to deaden his pain (but he refused their offer) (Mar 15:23). Some used spices to prepare his body for burial (Joh 19:39) and others brought spices to anoint the body as it lay in the tomb (Mar 16:1).
Fuente: Bridgeway Bible Dictionary
Spices
SPICES (Lat. species).The word denotes primarily the kind of a thing, a sample or specimen of anything. Then it means a certain touch or taste of something. More definitely, it denotes any aromatic or pungent substance. In general, spices are aromatic condiments used for seasoning food, or fragrant ointments used as perfumes. In the NT the term is used in both of these senses; and, in a few cases, it has a somewhat wider meaning.
In the Gospels there are several words used to describe various kinds of spices. It is scarcely possible to classify them. See artt. Myrrh, Frankincense, Nard, Spikenard, Mint, Anise, Cummin, Rue.
Spices (Gr. , Lat. aromata) are mentioned in Mar 16:1, Luk 23:56; Luk 24:1, Joh 19:40. We have here probably a general term to denote the mixed spices used in embalming the bodies of the dead.
Francis R. Beattie.
Fuente: A Dictionary Of Christ And The Gospels
Spices
This word, which occurs very frequently in our translation of the Scriptures, has usually been considered to indicate several of the aromatic substances to which the same general name is applied in the present-day. And we have as much assurance as is possible in such cases that the majority of the substances referred to have been identified, and that among the spices of early times were included many of those which now form articles of commerce from India to Europe.
Fuente: Popular Cyclopedia Biblical Literature
Spices
These were much used in the East, and were of different kinds. See the various names by which they are designated, as myrrh, aloes, cassia, galbanum, stacte, etc.
Fuente: Concise Bible Dictionary
Spices
In the formula for the sacred oil
Exo 25:6; Exo 35:8
Stores of
2Ki 20:13
Used in the temple
1Ch 9:29
Exported from Gilead
Gen 37:25
Sent as a present by Jacob to Joseph
Gen 43:11
Presented by the queen of Sheba to Solomon
1Ki 10:2; 1Ki 10:10
Sold in the markets of Tyre
Eze 27:22
Used in the embalming of Asa
2Ch 16:14
Prepared for embalming the body of Jesus
Mar 16:1; Luk 23:56; Luk 24:1; Joh 19:39-40
Fuente: Nave’s Topical Bible
Spices
Spices.
(Hebrew, basam, besem or bosem.) In Son 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 Son 1:13; Son_ 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.
(Hebrew, Necoth.) Gen 37:25; Gen 43:11. The most probable explanation is that which refers the word to the Arabic, naku’at, that is, “the gum obtained from the tragacanth” (Astragalus).
(Hebrew, 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, Joh 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.
Fuente: Smith’s Bible Dictionary
SPICES
Gen 43:11; Exo 30:23; 1Ki 10:2; 2Ki 20:13; 2Ch 16:14
Mar 16:1; Joh 19:40
–SEE Cinnamon, CINNAMON