Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, "compounds" often refer to mixtures or combinations of substances, particularly those used for sacred purposes. The concept of compounds is most prominently featured in the Old Testament, where specific instructions are given for the preparation of holy anointing oils and incense.
Anointing OilThe anointing oil is a significant compound mentioned in the Bible, used for consecrating priests, the tabernacle, and its furnishings. In
Exodus 30:22-25, God provides Moses with a detailed recipe for this sacred mixture: "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" . This compound was not to be replicated for personal use, emphasizing its sanctity and divine purpose (
Exodus 30:32-33).
IncenseAnother important compound in biblical worship is the incense used in the tabernacle and later in the temple.
Exodus 30:34-38 describes the composition of this incense: "Take fragrant spices—gum resin, onycha, and galbanum—and pure frankincense, all in equal measures, and make a fragrant blend of incense, the work of a perfumer, seasoned with salt, pure and holy" . Like the anointing oil, this incense was considered holy and was not to be used for personal enjoyment, underscoring its role in worship and the presence of God.
Symbolism and SignificanceThe use of compounds in the Bible often carries deep symbolic meaning. The anointing oil, for instance, represents the Holy Spirit's presence and empowerment. The act of anointing with oil signifies setting apart individuals or objects for God's service, as seen in the anointing of kings like David (
1 Samuel 16:13) and priests like Aaron (
Leviticus 8:12).
Similarly, the incense symbolizes the prayers of the saints rising to God, as depicted in
Psalm 141:2: "May my prayer be set before You like incense, my uplifted hands like the evening offering" . In the New Testament, this imagery is echoed in
Revelation 5:8, where the prayers of the saints are described as golden bowls full of incense.
Prohibitions and WarningsThe Bible contains strict prohibitions against the misuse of these sacred compounds. The anointing oil and incense were not to be replicated or used for common purposes, as stated in
Exodus 30:32-38. This underscores the holiness of these substances and the importance of maintaining the sanctity of worship practices.
ConclusionIn summary, compounds in the Bible, particularly anointing oil and incense, play a crucial role in the religious life of Israel. They are not merely physical mixtures but carry profound spiritual significance, symbolizing God's presence, the consecration of individuals and objects, and the prayers of the faithful. The careful instructions and prohibitions surrounding these compounds highlight their importance in maintaining the purity and sanctity of worship.
Greek
1909. epi -- on, upon... In
compounds it retains essentially the same import, at, upon, etc. (literally or
figuratively). (ep) -- 145 Occurrences. (epi) -- 663 Occurrences.
...3844. para -- from beside, by the side of, by, beside
... Incompounds it retains the same variety of application. (par) -- 60 Occurrences.
(para) -- 134 Occurrences. 3843, 3844. para. 3845 . Strong's Numbers.
3361. me -- not, that...not, lest (used for qualified negation)
... Often used incompounds in substantially the same relations. See also ean me, hina
me, ou me, mekos, mekuno, men, me ouk. see GREEK ou. see GREEK ean me....
303. ana -- as a preposition denotes upwards, up, as a prefix...
... Incompounds (as a prefix) it often means (by implication) repetition, intensity,
reversal, etc. (ana) -- 13 Occurrences. 302, 303. ana. 304 ....
1722. en -- in, on, at, by, with
... Often used incompounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of
motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a...
Library
China Inland Mission Normal Training College, Hwochow, Shansi
... CHEMISTRY. What weight of each of the followingcompounds is necessary to prepare
50 litres of Oxygen?"Water, Mercuric Oxide, Potassium Chlorate....
Blind Force or Intelligence, Which?
... "It is different with the advanced plant. The organiccompounds required to extend
the fabric, are formed by the plant, instead of being supplied from without....
That the Self-Existent Being must be Intelligent.
... That which has been apt to deceive men in this matter is this; that they imagine
compounds to be somewhat really different from that of which they are...
Verbs, 15-33
...Compounds of these and others abound, eg -.... pesate Hos.10:8. Amongcompounds we find
apepesatosan, diepesan, enepesan, epepesan. So in NT ". epesa Rev.1:17....
On the Physical Basis of Life.
... to which I shall advert more at length presently), in the fact that plants can
manufacture fresh protoplasm out of mineralcompounds, whereas animals are...
Fourth Tractate. Matter in Its Two Kinds.
... Further, a compound in the Intellectual order is not to be confounded with a compound
in the realm of Matter; the Divine Reasons arecompounds and their Act is...
The Israelites
... Compound words, moreover, are rare, thecompounds of our European languages
being replaced in the Semitic dialects by separate words....
Choosing the Tens
... cattle. Close to these werecompounds for the flocks and brush inclosures
for geese, and cotes for the pigeons used in sacrifice....
Divine Support and Protection
... For it must be allowed that he sometimes departs from the usual forms of expression;
invents new words, or at leastcompounds words for his own use, and heaps...
They Deceive, Instead of Healing.
... to the power of God. As noxious preparations are materialcompounds, so
are curatives of the same nature. If, however, we reject...
Thesaurus
Compounds (1 Occurrence)...Compounds (1 Occurrence). Exodus 30:33 Whoever
compounds any like it, or whoever
puts any of it on a stranger, he shall be cut off from his people.'" (WEB RSV).
...Compounder (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) One who, or that which,compounds or mixes; as, a compounder of medicines....
3. (n.) One whocompounds a debt, obligation, or crime....
Comprehend (9 Occurrences)
Press (57 Occurrences)
... See DRINK, STRONG. (8) In the Apocrypha and New Testament "wine" represents oinos,
with certaincompounds, except in Acts 2:13, where the Greek is gleukos...
Wine (282 Occurrences)
... See DRINK, STRONG. (8) In the Apocrypha and New Testament "wine" represents oinos,
with certaincompounds, except in Acts 2:13, where the Greek is gleukos...
Vain (141 Occurrences)
... of "vanity," and representing the same Hebrew and Greek words as does the latter,
with a few additions (chiefly kenos, "empty," and itscompounds in the New...
Kerchief
... covering for the head; hence, anything similar in form or material, worn for ornament
on other parts of the person; -- mostly used incompounds; as, neckerchief...
Normal (3 Occurrences)
... 5. (a.) Denoting certain hypotheticalcompounds, as acids from which the real acids
are obtained by dehydration; thus, normal sulfuric acid and normal nitric...
Outsider (9 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Exodus 30:33 Whoevercompounds any like it, or whoever puts any of it
on a stranger, he shall be cut off from his people.'" (See RSV)....
Ointment (29 Occurrences)
... Various fragrant preparations, alsocompounds for medical purposes, are so called
(Exodus 30:25; Psalm 133:2; Isaiah 1:6; Amos 6:6; John 12:3; Revelation 18:13...
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