Dictionary of Bible Themes Dictionary of Bible Themes » 4000 Creation » 4400 Vegetation and food » 4490 ointment A liquid blend of aromatic substances, usually spices, used as a cosmetic and also as a medicinal balm. Lotions were applied to the body to refresh, to improve appearance and to give a pleasing fragrance. Balm, especially from Gilead, was used to soothe pain and to heal wounds. Preparation of ointment Job 41:31 One way of making ointment was to crush solid ingredients and boil them together in olive oil. Preparation of the holy anointing oil Exodus 35:28 See also Exodus 25:6 pp Exodus 35:8; Exodus 30:23-25,33 The holy anointing oil was to be prepared only by those authorised to do so. Ointments made from blended spices 2 Chronicles 16:14; Songs 3:6; Luke 23:56 Containers for ointment Ointments kept in alabaster boxes increased in quality, and so in value, with age: Matthew 26:7 pp Mark 14:3 Luke 7:37 Uses of ointment As a cosmetic lotion Ruth 3:3 See also Esther 2:12; Songs 1:12; Ezekiel 16:9 Psalm 104:15 See also 2 Samuel 12:20; Samuel 14:2; Ecclesiastes 9:8; Daniel 10:3; Matthew 6:17; Exodus 30:32 To anoint the heads of guests Psalm 23:5 See also Psalm 133:2 This may reflect the custom of anointing a guest with perfumed ointment which melted and ran down the face and clothes to produce a pleasing fragrance; Luke 7:46 To anoint the dead Matthew 26:12 pp Mark 14:8 See also John 12:7; Genesis 50:2-3,26; Mark 16:1 pp Luke 24:1; John 19:39-40 Expensive ointments Matthew 26:8-9 pp Mark 14:4-5 (Spike)nard was an expensive import from India. See also Proverbs 21:17; Songs 4:13-14; Amos 6:6 The use of expensive ointments was a mark of luxury; John 12:5 Ointment used in healing Oil used to soothe and heal Isaiah 1:6 See also Psalm 55:21; Luke 10:34 Medicinal balm Jeremiah 8:22 Gilead was famous for its healing balsam. See also 2 Chronicles 28:15; Jeremiah 46:11; Jeremiah 51:8 See also
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