Bible Encyclopedia: Spice

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International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

SPICE; SPICES

spis, spi'-sis, -sez:

(1) (besem (Exodus 30:23), bosem, plural besamim, all from root "to attract by desire," especially by smell): The list of spices in Exodus 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 Chronicles 9:29). Among the treasures of the temple shown by Hezekiah to the messengers of Babylon were the spices (2 Kings 20:13). They were used in the obsequies of kings (2 Chronicles 16:14) and in preparation of a bride for a royal marriage (Esther 2:12, "sweet-odors" = balsam). Spices are frequently mentioned in So (4:10, 14, 16; 5:1, margin and the King James Version "balsam"; Songs 5:13; Songs 6:2, "bed of spices," margin "balsam"; 8:14). These passages in So 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 (Exodus 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" (Exodus 25:6; Exodus 30:7; Exodus 31:11; Exodus 35:8, 15, 28; 39:38:00; 40:27 (the King James Version only); Leviticus 4:7; Leviticus 16:12 Numbers 4:16 2 Chronicles 2:4 (the King James Version only); 2 Chronicles 13:11). In Exodus 37:29; Exodus 40:27 2 Chronicles 2:4, we have qsToreth cammim, "incense of sweet spices."

(3) (nekho'th; thumiamata (Genesis 37:25, "spicery," margin "gum tragacanth or storax"); thumiama "incense" (Genesis 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 (Songs 8:2)).

See WINE.

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

See PERFUME; BURIAL.

(6) (amomon (Revelation 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 Revelation 18:13 is quite uncertain.

E. W. G. Masterman

Greek

759. aroma -- a spice
... a spice. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: aroma Phonetic Spelling:
(ar'-o-mah) Short Definition: spice, perfume Definition: spice, perfume. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/759.htm - 6k

299a. amomon -- amomum (a fragrant plant of India)
... 299, 299a. amomon. 299b . amomum (a fragrant plant of India). Transliteration:
amomon Short Definition: spice. Word Origin of Indian ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/299a.htm - 5k

741. artuo -- to make ready, to season (food)
... to season. From a presumed derivative of airo; to prepare, ie Spice (with stimulating
condiments) -- season. see GREEK airo. (artuthesetai) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/741.htm - 6k

250. aloe -- aloe
... 250 () was used in ancient times for embalming fluid mixed with myrrh. is used
in the Septuagint (S of Sol 4:14) as a "spice of love.". ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/250.htm - 6k

2951. kuminon -- cummin
... cummin. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: kuminon Phonetic Spelling:
(koo'-min-on) Short Definition: cumin Definition: cumin, a plant used as a spice ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2951.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew

1314. bosem -- spice, balsam, the balsam tree
... bosem. 1315 . spice, balsam, the balsam tree. Transliteration: bosem Phonetic
Spelling: (beh'-sem) Short Definition: spices. ... smell, spice, sweet odor. ...
/hebrew/1314.htm - 6k

1313. basam -- spice
... 1312, 1313. basam. 1314 . spice. Transliteration: basam Phonetic Spelling:
(baw-sawm') Short Definition: spice. Word Origin the same as bosem, qv. spice ...
/hebrew/1313.htm - 5k

5561. sam -- spice (used in incense)
... 5560, 5561. sam. 5562 . spice (used in incense). Transliteration: sam Phonetic
Spelling: (sam) Short Definition: fragrant. ... sweet spice. ...
/hebrew/5561.htm - 6k

2590. chanat -- to spice, make spicy, embalm
... 2589, 2590. chanat. 2591 . to spice, make spicy, embalm. Transliteration: chanat
Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-nat') Short Definition: embalmed. Word Origin a prim ...
/hebrew/2590.htm - 6k

7545. roqach -- spice mixture, perfume
... 7544, 7545. roqach. 7546 . spice mixture, perfume. Transliteration: roqach
Phonetic Spelling: (ro'-kakh) Short Definition: perfume. ...
/hebrew/7545.htm - 6k

7544. reqach -- spice
... spice. Transliteration: reqach Phonetic Spelling: (reh'-kakh) Short Definition:
spiced. Word Origin from raqach Definition spice NASB Word Usage spiced (1). ...
/hebrew/7544.htm - 6k

5219. nekoth -- (a spice) perhaps tragacanth gum
... 5218b, 5219. nekoth. 5220 . (a spice) perhaps tragacanth gum. Transliteration:
nekoth Phonetic Spelling: (nek-ohth') Short Definition: gum. ...
/hebrew/5219.htm - 6k

4840. merqach -- spice, perfume
... 4839, 4840. merqach. 4841 . spice, perfume. Transliteration: merqach Phonetic
Spelling: (mer-kawkh') Short Definition: herbs. Word ...
/hebrew/4840.htm - 6k

7402. rakal -- probably to go about
... traders (8). spice merchant. A primitive root; to travel for trading -- (spice)
merchant. 7401, 7402. rakal. 7403 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/7402.htm - 6k

7543. raqach -- to mix or compound oil or ointment
... apothecary, compound, make ointment, prepare, spice. A primitive root; to perfume --
apothecary, compound, make (ointment), prepare, spice. 7542, 7543. ...
/hebrew/7543.htm - 6k

Library

The First Cry from the Cross
... He was like that precious spice, which, being bruised, doth not cease to give forth
its perfume, but rather yieldeth it all the more abundantly because of the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 15 1869/the first cry from the.htm

"My Garden" --"His Garden"
... Then comes love; and again I must ask,"Is there to be found anywhere a sweeter spice
than this,"the love which loves God because he first loved us, the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 42 1896/my gardenhis garden.htm

We Two Alone in Europe.
... for its fresh, bright observations on manners, customs, and objects of interest
as viewed through these young girls' eyes, and the charming spice of adventure ...
/.../we two alone in europe.htm

On the Road to Jerusalem
... of the passage there came muffled sounds from houses; out of open alleys leading
into interior courts stole the fetor of death that even the spice of burning ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the city of delight/chapter ii on the road.htm

Jesus Restoreth Sight to Bartimaeus
... nor its dimensions bear comparison with those which it attained in former days;
and hardly a tree remains of the celebrated groves of balsam, spice, and fruit ...
/.../the life of jesus christ for the young/jesus restoreth sight to bartimaeus.htm

What Happened Before the Crucifixion.
... bloody sweat of anguish because of many a painful suffering under which I mean to
prepare thee for Myself; for with red blossoms will I manure thy spice garden ...
/.../suso/a little book of eternal wisdom/chapter ii what happened before.htm

Two Safe
... Not another boy dare go and stand in the midst of that seething foam, but
the spice of danger drew him. He was such a thorough boy! ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter xxx two safe.htm

Chapter v.
... 1. I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse; I have gathered my myrrh with
my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/chapter v.htm

Bethlehem and Calvary.
... Fair Schiraz' gardens of the rose,. Ye palmy plains 'neath Indian skies,. Ye shores
where soft the spice-wind blows,. Death stalks through all that looks so fair ...
/.../winkworth/christian singers of germany/bethlehem and calvary.htm

Of the Priesthood of Aaron.
... shekels of choice myrrh, an equal quantity of cassia, and half the foregoing weight
of cinnamon and calamus [this last is a sort of sweet spice]; to beat them ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 of the priesthood.htm

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (n.) Species; kind.

2. (n.) A vegetable production of many kinds, fragrant or aromatic and pungent to the taste, as pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, allspice, ginger, cloves, etc., which are used in cookery and to flavor sauces, pickles, etc.

3. (n.) Figuratively, that which enriches or alters the quality of a thing in a small degree, as spice alters the taste of food; that which gives zest or pungency; a slight flavoring; a relish; hence, a small quantity or admixture; a sprinkling; as, a spice of mischief.

4. (v. t.) To season with spice, or as with spice; to mix aromatic or pungent substances with; to flavor; to season; as, to spice wine; to spice one's words with wit.

5. (v. t.) To fill or impregnate with the odor of spices.

6. (v. t.) To render nice or dainty; hence, to render scrupulous.

Thesaurus

Spice (25 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) Figuratively, that which enriches or alters the quality of a thing in a
small degree, as spice alters the taste of food; that which gives zest or ...
/s/spice.htm - 18k

Spice-perfume (5 Occurrences)
Spice-perfume. Spice-merchants, Spice-perfume. Spicery . Multi-Version
Concordance Spice-perfume (5 Occurrences). Exodus ...
/s/spice-perfume.htm - 8k

Spice-cinnamon (1 Occurrence)
Spice-cinnamon. Spice-cane, Spice-cinnamon. Spiced . Multi-Version
Concordance Spice-cinnamon (1 Occurrence). Exodus ...
/s/spice-cinnamon.htm - 6k

Spice-cane (1 Occurrence)
Spice-cane. Spice, Spice-cane. Spice-cinnamon . Multi-Version Concordance
Spice-cane (1 Occurrence). Exodus 30:23 And thou, take ...
/s/spice-cane.htm - 6k

Spice-trees (2 Occurrences)
Spice-trees. Spices, Spice-trees. Spider . Multi-Version Concordance
Spice-trees (2 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 5:23 And ...
/s/spice-trees.htm - 7k

Spice-merchants (1 Occurrence)
Spice-merchants. Spice-laden, Spice-merchants. Spice-perfume .
Multi-Version Concordance Spice-merchants (1 Occurrence). 1 Kings ...
/s/spice-merchants.htm - 6k

Spice-laden (1 Occurrence)
Spice-laden. Spiced, Spice-laden. Spice-merchants . Multi-Version
Concordance Spice-laden (1 Occurrence). Song of Songs ...
/s/spice-laden.htm - 6k

Malobathron
... 17). But this spice never grew wild in Palestine, and so could hardly
have given its name to a mountain, or mountain range. The ...
/m/malobathron.htm - 6k

Spices (64 Occurrences)
...SPICE; SPICES. ... Exodus 35:28 and the spices, and the oil for the light, and for
the anointing oil, and for the spice perfume; (YLT RSV NIV). ...
/s/spices.htm - 32k

Opening (242 Occurrences)
... Exodus 35:15 And the altar of perfume, and its staves, and the anointing oil, and
the spice perfume, and the covering of the opening at the opening of the ...
/o/opening.htm - 37k

Bible Concordance

Spice (25 Occurrences)

Revelation 18:13 and cinnamon, and spice, and incense, and ointment, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and cattle, and sheep; and 'merchandise' of horses and chariots and slaves; and souls of men.
(ASV NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 35:8 oil for the light, spices for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense,
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 35:15 And the altar for burning spices, with its rods, and the holy oil and the sweet perfume, and the curtain for the door, at the door of the House;
(Root in BBE YLT)

Exodus 35:28 and the spice, and the oil for the light, for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 7:14 One gold spoon of ten shekels, full of spice for burning;
(BBE)

Numbers 7:20 One gold spoon of ten shekels, full of spice;
(BBE)

Numbers 7:26 One gold spoon of ten shekels, full of spice;
(BBE)

Numbers 7:32 One gold spoon of ten shekels, full of spice;
(BBE)

Numbers 7:38 One gold spoon of ten shekels, full of spice;
(BBE)

Numbers 7:44 One gold spoon of ten shekels, full of spice;
(BBE)

Numbers 7:50 One gold spoon of ten shekels, full of spice;
(BBE)

Numbers 7:56 One gold spoon of ten shekels, full of spice;
(BBE)

Numbers 7:62 One gold spoon of ten shekels, full of spice;
(BBE)

Numbers 7:68 One gold spoon of ten shekels, full of spice;
(BBE)

Numbers 7:74 One gold spoon of ten shekels, full of spice;
(BBE)

Numbers 7:80 One gold spoon of ten shekels, full of spice;
(BBE)

Numbers 7:86 The weight of the twelve gold spoons of spice for burning was ten shekels for every one, by the scale of the holy place; all the gold of the spoons was a hundred and twenty shekels;
(BBE)

1 Kings 10:15 Beside that he had of the merchantmen, and of the traffic of the spice merchants, and of all the kings of Arabia, and of the governors of the country.
(KJV WBS)

2 Chronicles 9:9 She gave the king one hundred and twenty talents of gold, and spices in great abundance, and precious stones: neither was there any such spice as the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Song of Songs 4:10 How beautiful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much better is your love than wine! The fragrance of your perfumes than all manner of spices!
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Song of Songs 5:1 I have come into my garden, my sister, my bride. I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk. Eat, friends! Drink, yes, drink abundantly, beloved.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV)

Song of Songs 5:13 His cheeks are like a bed of spices with towers of perfumes. His lips are like lilies, dropping liquid myrrh.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV)

Song of Songs 6:2 My beloved has gone down to his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV)

Song of Songs 8:14 Come away, my beloved! Be like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountains of spices!
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 24:10 Heap on wood, kindle the fire, consume the flesh, and spice it well, and let the bones be burned.
(KJV DBY WBS NAS NIV)

Subtopics

Spice

Related Terms

Spice-perfume (5 Occurrences)

Spice-cinnamon (1 Occurrence)

Spice-cane (1 Occurrence)

Spice-trees (2 Occurrences)

Spice-merchants (1 Occurrence)

Spice-laden (1 Occurrence)

Malobathron

Spices (64 Occurrences)