4490 ointment
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

Isaiah 3:20

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

4408  balm
4466  herbs and spices
4486  myrrh
4488  oil
4496  perfume
5234  bottle
5241  burial
5285  cures
5333  healing
5405  medicine
7304  anointing
7386  incense



Top of Page
Top of Page




Bible Apps.com