The term "alabaster-box" refers to a container made from alabaster, a fine-grained, translucent form of gypsum or calcite, often used in the ancient world for storing precious ointments and perfumes. Alabaster was highly valued for its beauty and durability, making it an ideal material for preserving costly substances. The alabaster-box is most famously mentioned in the New Testament, in the accounts of a woman anointing Jesus with expensive perfume.

Biblical References:

1. Matthew 26:7 : "a woman came to Him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on His head as He was reclining at the table." This event takes place in the house of Simon the leper in Bethany. The woman's act of anointing Jesus is a profound expression of devotion and worship, signifying the preparation for His burial.

2. Mark 14:3 : "While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke open the jar and poured it on His head." The breaking of the jar indicates the totality of her offering, symbolizing the complete surrender and sacrifice of something valuable for the sake of honoring Christ.

3. Luke 7:37-38 : "When a sinful woman from that town learned that Jesus was dining there, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind Him at His feet weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears and wipe them with her hair. Then she kissed His feet and anointed them with the perfume." This account, though similar, is distinct from the anointing in Bethany. It highlights the themes of repentance, forgiveness, and the transformative power of encountering Jesus.

4. John 12:3 : "Then Mary took about a pint of expensive perfume, made of pure nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume." This passage identifies the woman as Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, further emphasizing the personal and intimate nature of her act of worship.

Symbolism and Significance:

The alabaster-box and its contents symbolize the outpouring of love, devotion, and sacrifice. The costly perfume represents the value and worth of the offering made to Jesus, reflecting the giver's recognition of His divine nature and mission. The act of anointing, particularly in the context of Jesus' impending death, serves as a prophetic gesture acknowledging His role as the Messiah and the sacrificial Lamb.

The alabaster-box narrative also underscores the theme of worship that transcends societal norms and expectations. The women who anointed Jesus defied cultural conventions, demonstrating that true worship involves a heartfelt response to the presence and person of Christ, regardless of the cost or the opinions of others.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In the ancient Near East, alabaster was a prized material, often imported from regions like Egypt. The perfume contained within these jars, such as pure nard, was equally valuable, often imported from India. The possession of such an item indicated wealth and status, making the act of breaking and pouring it out all the more significant.

The alabaster-box accounts in the Gospels highlight the tension between earthly values and heavenly priorities. The disciples, particularly Judas Iscariot, criticized the perceived waste of resources, suggesting that the perfume could have been sold to aid the poor. Jesus, however, commended the women for their insight and devotion, affirming that their actions would be remembered wherever the Gospel is preached.

In summary, the alabaster-box serves as a powerful symbol of sacrificial love and worship, illustrating the profound impact of encountering Jesus and the eternal significance of acts of devotion performed in His honor.211. alabastron -- a box of alabaster
... Word Origin of foreign origin Definition a box of alabaster NASB Word
Usage alabaster vial (3), vial (1). alabaster box. Neuter ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/211.htm - 6k

The Alabaster Box
... THE ALABASTER BOX. ... So she caught up her alabaster box, and without questioning herself
about the act, let her heart have its way, and poured it out on Christ. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the alabaster box.htm

Fragrant Graces
... when Christ tabled among men, when he did eat and drink with them, being found in
fashion as a man, the loving spirit broke the alabaster box of precious ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 61 1915/fragrant graces.htm

The Feast at Simon's House
... At great personal sacrifice she had purchased an alabaster box of "ointment
of spikenard, very costly," with which to anoint His body. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 62 the feast at.htm

The Box of Ointment.
... Soon may death overtake us, and the alabaster box be left behind, unused and unemployed;
the dying regret on our lips""Oh that I had done more while I lived ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/xvii the box of ointment.htm

The Defence of Uncalculating Love
... 'Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, 7. There came unto
him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the defence of uncalculating love.htm

The Blessing of Mercy,
... Mary did not reserve her alabaster box of perfume till her Lord was dead, she filled
the whole house with sweetness where the living Jesus was. ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon xxxix the blessing of.htm

Jesus and the Bethany Sisters.
... Love must be the root. It was easy for Mary to bring her alabaster box, for her
heart was full of overmastering love. Service is the fruit of love. ...
/.../miller/personal friendships of jesus/chapter x jesus and the.htm

A Woman's Memorial
... Or think you that even a Macaulay could have found it in his pen to write down a
story of an eccentric woman, who broke an alabaster box of precious ointment ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/a womans memorial.htm

The Anointing of Jesus.
... The breaking of the alabaster box, the pouring out of Mary's soul in adoration of
her Lord"this was the signal that all was ripe for His departure, this the ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol ii/i the anointing of jesus.htm

Despised and Rejected by Friend and Foe
... And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came
a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard, very precious ...
/.../mark/jesus of nazareth a biography/chapter xiv despised and rejected.htm

Alabaster-box (2 Occurrences)
Alabaster-box. Alabaster, Alabaster-box. Alameth . Multi-Version
Concordance Alabaster-box (2 Occurrences). Matthew ...
/a/alabaster-box.htm - 7k

Reclining (25 Occurrences)
... Matthew 26:7 there came to him a woman having an alabasterbox of ointment, very
precious, and she poured on his head as he is reclining (at meat). (YLT NIV). ...
/r/reclining.htm - 14k

Box (13 Occurrences)
... Box (13 Occurrences). Matthew 26:7 There came unto him a woman having an alabaster
box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. ...
/b/box.htm - 13k

Meat (387 Occurrences)
... Matthew 26:7 There came unto him a woman having an alabasterbox of very precious
ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. (KJV ASV YLT). ...
/m/meat.htm - 36k

Alabaster (6 Occurrences)

/a/alabaster.htm - 11k

Reclineth (1 Occurrence)
... lo, a woman in the city, who was a sinner, having known that he reclineth (at meat)
in the house of the Pharisee, having provided an alabasterbox of ointment ...
/r/reclineth.htm - 6k

Provided (68 Occurrences)
... lo, a woman in the city, who was a sinner, having known that he reclineth (at meat)
in the house of the Pharisee, having provided an alabasterbox of ointment ...
/p/provided.htm - 28k

Alameth (1 Occurrence)

/a/alameth.htm - 7k

Myrrh (22 Occurrences)
... 37 and behold, a woman in the city, who was a sinner, and knew that he was sitting
at meat in the house of the Pharisee, having taken an alabasterbox of myrrh ...
/m/myrrh.htm - 18k

Eating (151 Occurrences)
... lo, a woman in the city, who was a sinner, having known that he reclineth (at meat)
in the house of the Pharisee, having provided an alabasterbox of ointment ...
/e/eating.htm - 38k

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