Lexical Summary
sam: Spice, perfume, aromatic
Original Word:סַם
Part of Speech:Noun Masculine
Transliteration:cam
Pronunciation:sahm
Phonetic Spelling:(sam)
KJV: sweet (spice)
NASB:fragrant, spices, fragrant spices, sweet
Word Origin:[from an unused root meaning to smell sweet]
1. an aroma
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
sweet spice
From an unused root meaning to smell sweet; an aroma -- sweet (spice).
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom an unused word
Definitionspice (used in incense)
NASB Translationfragrant (12), fragrant spices (1), spices (2), sweet (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
[]
16 ; — only plural absolute , and only P, Chronicles;
Exodus 30:34 (twice in verse), elsewhere
incense of spicesExodus 25:6 8t. Exodus;
Leviticus 4:7;
Leviticus 16:12;
Numbers 4:16; 2Chron 2:3; 2 Chronicles 3:11.
Topical Lexicon
Definition and Scopeסַם designates aromatic substances prepared for sacred use—chiefly the fragrant incense and anointing oils employed in Israel’s corporate worship. Although cognate words describe decorative spices or medicines, every biblical occurrence of this term centers on the sanctuary and its ministry before the LORD.
Canonical Occurrences and Narrative Setting
Sixteen verses cluster around two covenantal venues: the wilderness tabernacle (Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers) and the Solomonic temple later maintained in Judah (2 Chronicles). This distribution underscores continuity between the Mosaic pattern and Jerusalem’s centralized worship.
•Exodus 25:6; 30:7, 34; 31:11; 35:8, 15, 28; 37:29; 39:38; 40:27 establish סַם as one of the indispensable supplies contributed, fashioned, and continually offered.
•Leviticus 4:7; 16:12 andNumbers 4:16 link it to atonement rituals and priestly oversight.
•2 Chronicles 2:4; 13:11 show its enduring place in the daily and festal liturgy centuries later.
Composition and Preparation
Exodus 30:34–35 provides the only inspired recipe: “Take fragrant spices—stacte, onycha, 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”. Set apart from ordinary perfumery, this blend could not be duplicated for personal use (Exodus 30:37–38). The restriction guarded the transcendence of divine worship and protected Israel against syncretistic appropriation.
Function in Sacred Worship
1. Daily Intercession: “Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it every morning… and when Aaron sets up the lamps at twilight” (Exodus 30:7–8). The twice-daily offering bookended Israel’s sacrificial schedule, depicting unceasing mediation.
2. Annual Atonement: On Yom Kippur the high priest “takes… two handfuls of finely ground fragrant incense, and take[s] them behind the veil” (Leviticus 16:12). The cloud that rose over the mercy seat shielded him from death and wrapped the atonement blood in fragrance.
3. Consecration of Persons and Things: Mixed with olive oil, סַם formed the holy anointing oil (Exodus 25:6; 30:25) that sanctified the tent, its furniture, and the priesthood.
4. Stewardship: Eleazar “had charge of the oil for the light, the fragrant incense… and the anointing oil” (Numbers 4:16). Proper administration testified that order and holiness go together in God’s service.
5. Temple Continuity: Solomon’s mandate—“to dedicate it… for burning fragrant incense” (2 Chronicles 2:4)—and Abijah’s later defense (2 Chronicles 13:11) anchor the ordinance as a covenantal hallmark distinguishing true worship from apostasy.
Theological Symbolism
• Acceptance: The smoke ascending from the golden altar visualized prayers accompanied by divine approval (Psalm 141:2).
• Mediation: Only authorized priests could present סַם, pointing to the necessity of a mediator.
• Holiness: Its exclusive recipe and restricted usage mirror the uniqueness of Yahweh’s glory and the separation demanded of His people.
• Satisfaction: The pleasing aroma motif anticipates sacrifice that fully satisfies God (Genesis 8:21;Ephesians 5:2).
Typology Fulfilled in Christ
The fragrant blend anticipates the perfect intercession of Jesus Messiah.Hebrews 7:25 declares, “Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.”Revelation 8:3–4 portrays golden-altar incense mingling with the prayers of the saints through the merits of the Lamb. The once-for-all atonement (Hebrews 9:24–26) renders perpetual animal sacrifice obsolete, yet the Godward fragrance remains in His ongoing priestly ministry.
Lessons for Christian Worship and Ministry
• Prayer is central, continual, and to be offered through Christ’s mediation.
• Authentic worship guards God’s holiness by rejecting self-made substitutes.
• Spiritual leadership must steward sacred trust with exact obedience, as Eleazar did with סַם.
• Congregational participation parallels the people’s contribution of spices (Exodus 35:28), reminding believers that corporate devotion is both privilege and responsibility.
• Evangelistic fragrance: “For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:15), echoing the sanctuary aroma now diffused through the church’s witness.
From Sinai to Zion and from Calvary to eternity, סַם traces an unbroken thread of fragrant communion between God and His redeemed people.
Forms and Transliterations
הַסַּמִּ֑ים הַסַּמִּ֔ים הַסַּמִּ֖ים הַסַּמִּֽים׃ הַסַּמִּים֙ הסמים הסמים׃ סַמִּ֑ים סַמִּ֖ים סַמִּ֗ים סַמִּים֩ סמים has·sam·mîm hassamMim hassammîm sam·mîm samMim sammîm
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