Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, "aromatic" refers to substances that emit a pleasant fragrance, often used in religious rituals, anointing, and burial practices. Aromatic substances are frequently mentioned throughout the Scriptures, highlighting their significance in ancient Hebrew culture and worship.
Biblical References and Uses1.
Incense and Worship: Aromatic substances were integral to the worship practices of the Israelites. The Lord commanded Moses to make a sacred incense blend for use in the Tabernacle. This incense was made from specific aromatic spices, including stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense (
Exodus 30:34-38). The burning of incense symbolized the prayers of the people ascending to God, as seen in
Psalm 141:2: "May my prayer be set before You like incense, my uplifted hands like the evening offering."
2.
Anointing Oil: Aromatic oils were used for anointing priests, kings, and sacred objects. The anointing oil described in
Exodus 30:22-25 was a blend of myrrh, cinnamon, calamus, cassia, and olive oil. This oil was considered holy and set apart for consecrating the Tabernacle and its furnishings, as well as Aaron and his sons for priestly service.
3.
Burial Practices: Aromatic spices were also used in burial customs. When Jesus was buried, Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds, to prepare His body (
John 19:39-40). This practice was a sign of respect and honor for the deceased.
4.
Gifts and Trade: Aromatic spices and resins were valuable commodities in ancient trade. The Queen of Sheba brought spices, gold, and precious stones as gifts to King Solomon (
1 Kings 10:2). The Magi presented gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the infant Jesus (
Matthew 2:11), symbolizing His kingship, divinity, and future suffering.
Symbolism and Spiritual SignificanceAromatic substances in the Bible often symbolize purity, holiness, and the presence of God. The sweet-smelling incense and anointing oils were not only practical but also carried deep spiritual meanings. They represented the sanctification of people and objects for God's service and the pleasing aroma of a life dedicated to Him.
The use of aromatics in Scripture underscores the importance of offering one's best to God, whether through worship, service, or personal devotion. The fragrant offerings were a reminder of the beauty and holiness that should characterize the lives of believers, as they live in obedience and reverence to the Lord.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Alt. of Aromatical.
2. (n.) A plant, drug, or medicine, characterized by a fragrant smell, and usually by a warm, pungent taste, as ginger, cinnamon, spices.
Greek
250. aloe -- aloe... 250 -- "The strongly
aromatic, quick-drying sap of a tree (the ) -- mixed with myrrh
and used for embalming" (); "the true aloe plant (, , 1:99).
...759. aroma -- a spice
... sweet spice. From airo (in the sense of sending off scent); anaromatic -- (sweet)
spice. see GREEK airo. (aromata) -- 3 Occurrences. (aromaton) -- 1 Occurrence...
2367. thuinos -- thyine, citron
... Word Origin from thuon (citron wood, containing anaromatic resin) Definition thyine,
citron NASB Word Usage citron (1). from the citron tree, thyine....
2370. thumiao -- to burn incense
... burn incense. From a derivative of thuo (in the sense of smoking); to fumigate,
ie Offeraromatic fumes -- burn incense. see GREEK thuo....
Strong's Hebrew
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
...7545. roqach -- spice mixture, perfume
... confection, ointment. From Raqqown; anaromatic -- confection, ointment. see HEBREW
Raqqown. 7544, 7545. roqach. 7546 . Strong's Numbers.
5373. nerd -- nard
... plants (1), perfume (1). spikenard. Of foreign origin; nard, anaromatic --
spikenard. 5372, 5373. nerd. 5374 . Strong's Numbers.
4842. mirqachath -- an ointment mixture
... From raqach; anaromatic unguent; also an unguent-pot -- prepared by the apothecaries'
art, compound, ointment. see HEBREW raqach. 4841, 4842....
5198. nataph -- a drop
... drop From nataph; a drop; specifically, anaromatic gum (probably stacte) -- drop,
stacte. see HEBREW nataph. 5197, 5198. nataph. 5198a . Strong's Numbers.
7827. shecheleth -- (an ingredient of the holy incense) perhaps...
... Apparently from the same as shachal through some obscure idea, perhaps that of peeling
off by concussion of sound; a scale or shell, ie Thearomatic mussel....
Library
How Easy Our Saviour Has Made the Increase of Love.
... For as in Araby the Blest, not only the plants which are by naturearomatic, but
even all the others, are sweet, gaining a share in the felicity of that soil...
Discipline
... They are planted like the hanging gardens beside his own river Euphrates,
with theiraromatic shrubs and wide- spreading cedars....
Useful Phrases
... ardent protest. arduous quest. arid formula. aristocratic lineage.aromatic fragrance.
arrant trifling. arrested development. arrogant imposition. artful adaptation...
The Love of Rameses
... The levels of scented vapor from thearomatic torches undulated midway between the
ceiling and the floor and belted the frescoes upon the paneled walls....
The Son of the Murket
...Aromatic torches flaring in sconces lighted the friezes of lotus, the painted paneling
on the walls, and the clustered pillars that upheld the ceiling of the...
A Little Maid
... Asaromatic plants bestow No spicy fragrance while they grow, But crushed,
or trodden to the ground, Diffuse their balmy sweets around....
The Veil of Veronica.
... Seraphia had prepared some excellentaromatic wine, which she piously intended to
present to our Lord to refresh him on his dolorous way to Calvary....
The Departure of Mary and the Holy Women of Calvary.
... servant. They took the jar ofaromatic wine which the Jews had prevented
Jesus from drinking, and set off together towards Golgotha....
The Request of Joseph of Arimathea to be Allowed to have the Body...
... The woman was a vendor ofaromatic herbs, and Nicodemus had purchased many perfumes
which were necessary for embalming the body of Jesus from her....
The Body of Our Lord Placed in the Sepulchre.
... front of the grotto, while the four men carried in the body of our Lord, partially
filled the hollow couch destined for its reception witharomatic spices, and...
Thesaurus
Aromatic (6 Occurrences)... cinnamon, spices. Multi-Version Concordance
Aromatic (6 Occurrences). Mark
16:1 And the sabbath being now past, Mary of Magdala, and
...Hyssop (12 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. (n.) A plant (Hyssopus officinalis). The leaves have
anaromatic smell, and a warm, pungent taste. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia....
Calamus (5 Occurrences)
... It has anaromatic smell, and when its knotted stalk is cut and dried and reduced
to powder, it forms an ingredient in the most precious perfumes....
Anise (1 Occurrence)
... tithes. It is an umbelliferous plant, very like the caraway, its leaves,
which arearomatic, being used in soups and pickles. The...
Embalm (4 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To anoint all over with balm; especially, to preserve from decay by means
of balm or otheraromatic oils, or spices; to fill or impregnate (a dead body...
Dill (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) An herb (Peucedanum graveolens), the seeds of which are moderately warming,
pungent, andaromatic, and were formerly used as a soothing medicine for...
Myrrh (22 Occurrences)
... It is probably correctly rendered by the Latin word ladanum, the Arabic ladan, an
aromatic juice of a shrub called the Cistus or rock rose, which has the same...
Perfumer (4 Occurrences)
... The guest in a modern Syrian home is not literally anointed with oil, but he is
often given, soon after he enters, a bunch ofaromatic herbs or a sweet...
Perfume (202 Occurrences)
... The guest in a modern Syrian home is not literally anointed with oil, but he is
often given, soon after he enters, a bunch ofaromatic herbs or a sweet...
Balm (7 Occurrences)
... lc). Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) Anaromatic plant of the genus Melissa.
2. (n.) The resinous andaromatic exudation of certain trees or shrubs....
Resources
What is the balm of Gilead? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the cedars of Lebanon the Bible mentions? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the importance of the Dead Sea in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgAromatic: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
