Spices

SPICE; SPICES [isbe]

SPICE; SPICES - spis, spi'-sis, -sez:

(1) (besem (Ex 30:23), bosem, plural besamim, all from root "to attract by desire," especially by smell): The list of spices in Ex 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 (1 Ch 9:29). Among the treasures of the temple shown by Hezekiah to the messengers of Babylon were the spices (2 Ki 20:13). They were used in the obsequies of kings (2 Ch 16:14) and in preparation of a bride for a royal marriage (Est 2:12, "sweet-odors" = balsam). Spices are frequently mentioned in Song (4:10,14,16; 5:1, margin and the King James Version "balsam"; Song 5:13; 6:2, "bed of spices," margin "balsam"; 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) cammim (Ex 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" (Ex 25:6; 30:7; 31:11; 35:8,15,28; 39:38; 40:27 (the King James Version only); Lev 4:7; 16:12; Nu 4:16; 2 Ch 2:4 (the King James Version only); 2 Ch 13:11). In Ex 37:29; 40:27; 2 Ch 2:4, we have qsToreth cammim, "incense of sweet spices."

(3) (nekho'th; thumiamata (Gen 37:25, "spicery," margin "gum tragacanth or storax"); thumiama "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) (reqach, "spiced" wine (Song 8:2)).

See WINE.

(5) (aroma, "spices" (Mk 16:1, the King James Version "sweet spices"; Lk 23:56; 24:1; Jn 19:40; in 19:39 defined as a mixture of aloes and myrrh)).

See PERFUME; 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.

E. W. G. Masterman

Spices [nave]

SPICES
In the formula for the sacred oil, Ex. 25:6; 35:8.
Stores of, 2 Kin. 20:13.
Used in the temple, 1 Chr. 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, 1 Kin. 10:2, 10.
Sold in the markets of Tyre, Ezek. 27:22.
Used in the embalming of Asa, 2 Chr. 16:14.
Prepared for embalming the body of Jesus, Mark 16:1; Luke 23:56; 24:1; John 19:39, 40.

Spices [ebd]

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).

SPICES [bridgeway]

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; 1 Kings 10:2; Song of Songs 3:6; Isa 60:6; Jer 6:20; Ezek 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; Exod 30:23-24,34; Song of Songs 3:6; 4:13-14; Jer 6:20; Matt 23:23; Luke 11:42; 13:19).

Spices came from the gum of certain trees and from plants and herbs (Song of Songs 4:14). People used spices in preparing food and drinks (Song of Songs 8:2; Ezek 24:10; Matt 23:23), and in making a variety of oils, medicines, cosmetics, deodorants and disinfectants (Esther 2:12; Ps 45:8; Prov 7:17; Song of Songs 4:10,14; 5:13; Jer 8:22; 51:8; Luke 7:46; John 12:3; 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 (Exod 30:35; 1 Sam 8:13; 2 Chron 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; Mark 14:3; Luke 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 (Exod 30:22-38; see OIL; INCENSE).

In relation to Jesus, people used spices, or substances made from them, to present in homage to him (Matt 2:11), to anoint and refresh him (Luke 7:46; John 12:3), and to offer him on the cross to deaden his pain (but he refused their offer) (Mark 15:23). Some used spices to prepare his body for burial (John 19:39) and others brought spices to anoint the body as it lay in the tomb (Mark 16:1).