Salves, perfumes, or aromatic oils. Spices were part of the luxury trade of the ancient world; a “balm,” resin of Pistacia mutica, was among the gifts sent to Joseph (
Gen 43:11). Balsam oil or perfume in general appears in the catalogue of wealth that flows through Tyre (
Ezek 27:22). Spices were used in the anointing oil, perhaps a balsam oil (
Exod 35:28;
1Kgs 10:2). “Spices” may also refer to a sweet-smelling cinnamon or a sweet cane (
Exod 30:23). Aromatic oils and perfumes were used for embalming and anointing a corpse (
Mark 16:1;
Luke 23:56;
John 19:40).
Gen 43:11
11Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: take some of the choice fruits of the land in your bags, and carry them down as a pres ... View more
Ezek 27:22
22The merchants of Sheba and Raamah traded with you; they exchanged for your wares the best of all kinds of spices, and all precious stones, and gold.
Exod 35:28
28and spices and oil for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the fragrant incense.
1Kgs 10:2
2She came to Jerusalem with a very great retinue, with camels bearing spices, and very much gold, and precious stones; and when she came to Solomon, she told hi ... View more
Exod 30:23
23Take the finest spices: of liquid myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet-smelling cinnamon half as much, that is, two hundred fifty, and two hundred fifty o ... View more
Mark 16:1
The Resurrection of Jesus
1When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint h ... View more
Luke 23:56
56Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments.
On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
John 19:40
40They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews.
