Jump to: Smith's • ATS • Easton's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Perfumes in the Bible are often associated with beauty, luxury, and worship. They are mentioned in various contexts, including personal adornment, religious rituals, and royal ceremonies. The use of perfumes in biblical times was a sign of wealth and status, as well as a means of honoring God and anointing individuals for special purposes.Biblical References and Uses 1. Personal Adornment: Perfumes were commonly used for personal grooming and adornment. In the Song of Solomon, the beloved is described with imagery of fragrances, highlighting the allure and beauty associated with perfumes. "Your oils have a pleasing fragrance; your name is like perfume poured out" (Song of Solomon 1:3). 2. Religious Rituals: Perfumes played a significant role in religious ceremonies. The anointing oil used in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple was a sacred blend of spices and oils. Exodus 30:22-25 provides the recipe for this holy anointing oil, which included myrrh, cinnamon, calamus, cassia, and olive oil. This oil was used to consecrate the priests and the sacred objects, setting them apart for divine service. 3. Royal and Ceremonial Use: Perfumes were also used in royal settings. Esther underwent a year-long beauty treatment with oils and perfumes before meeting King Xerxes (Esther 2:12). This preparation underscores the importance of fragrances in royal courts and their association with dignity and honor. 4. Symbol of Joy and Celebration: Perfumes are often linked with joy and celebration. In Proverbs, a joyful heart is compared to the pleasantness of perfume: "Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel" (Proverbs 27:9). 5. Burial Practices: Perfumes were used in burial practices to honor the deceased and mask the odor of decay. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes to anoint Jesus' body after His crucifixion (John 19:39-40). This act of devotion highlights the respect and reverence associated with the use of perfumes in burial customs. Symbolism and Spiritual Significance Perfumes in the Bible often symbolize the prayers and worship of the faithful rising to God. In Revelation, the prayers of the saints are described as incense before the throne of God: "The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, rose up before God from the hand of the angel" (Revelation 8:4). This imagery underscores the idea that just as perfumes are pleasing to the senses, so are the prayers and worship of believers pleasing to God. Cultural and Historical Context In ancient times, perfumes were made from natural ingredients such as spices, resins, and flowers. The process of making perfumes was labor-intensive and required skilled craftsmanship. The ingredients were often imported from distant lands, making perfumes a luxury item accessible primarily to the wealthy and powerful. The use of perfumes in biblical times reflects the broader cultural practices of the ancient Near East, where fragrances were integral to daily life, religious practices, and social customs. The biblical references to perfumes provide insight into the values and priorities of the people, emphasizing the importance of beauty, worship, and honor in their lives. Smith's Bible Dictionary PerfumesThe free use of perfumes was peculiarly grateful to the Orientals, (Proverbs 27:9) whose olfactory nerves are more than usually sensitive to the offensive smells engendered by the heat of their climate. The Hebrews manufactured their perfumes chiefly from spices imported from Arabia though to a certain extent also from aromatic plants growing in their own country. Perfumes entered largely into the temple service, in the two forms of incense and ointment. (Exodus 30:22-38) Nor were they less used in private life; not only were they applied to the person, but to garment, (Psalms 45:8; Solomon 4:11) and to articles of furniture, such as beds. (Proverbs 7:17) ATS Bible Dictionary PerfumesThe use of perfumes was common among the Hebrews and the Orientals generally, before it was known to the Greeks and Romans. Moses also speaks of the art of the perfumer, in the English Bible "apothecary;" and gives the composition of two perfumes, of which one was to be offered to the Lord on the golden altar, Exodus 30:34-38. And the other to be used for anointing the high priest and his sons, the tabernacle, and the vessels of divine service, Exodus 30:23-33. The Hebrews had also perfumes for embalming their dead. The composition is note exactly known, but they used myrrh, aloes, and other strong and astringent drugs proper to prevent infection and corruption. See EMBALMING, and OINTMENT. Easton's Bible Dictionary Were used in religious worship, and for personal and domestic enjoyment (Exodus 30:35-37; Proverbs 7:17; Cant. 3:6; Isaiah 57:9); and also in embalming the dead, and in other funeral ceremonies (Mark 14:8; Luke 24:1; John 19:39). Greek 3464. muron -- ointment ... scents). Word Origin a prim. word Definition ointment NASB Word Usage ointment (1), perfume (12), perfumes (1). ointment. Probably ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3464.htm - 7k Strong's Hebrew 7547. riqquach -- perfumery... 7546, 7547. riqquach or riqquach. 7548 . perfumery. Transliteration: riqquach or riqquach Phonetic Spelling: (rak-koo'-akh) Short Definition: perfumes. ... /hebrew/7547.htm - 6k Library Of the Charms of Perfumes which are More Easily Overcome. Chapter i. How by Holy Complacency we are Made as Little Infants at Our ... The Precious Ointment. The Eve of the Resurrection. I am So Glad, Dearest Celine That it Does not Become one in Holy Orders to be Clad in Costly ... How this Sacred Repose is Practised. Treatise on the Priesthood. Book vi. 1 Timothy i. 7-May Thesaurus Perfumes (69 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance Perfumes (69 Occurrences). Luke 1:9 And as was the way of the priests, he had to go into the Temple to see to the burning of perfumes. ... /p/perfumes.htm - 30k Perfumer (4 Occurrences) Perfume (202 Occurrences) Perfumery (1 Occurrence) Draining (20 Occurrences) Drained (38 Occurrences) Spices (64 Occurrences) Sweet-smelling (14 Occurrences) Burning (415 Occurrences) Lights (71 Occurrences) Resources Should a Christian wear perfume / cologne? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is alchemy? Does the Bible mention alchemy? | GotQuestions.org What was the significance of anointing spices in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Perfumes (69 Occurrences)Luke 1:9 Luke 1:10 Luke 23:56 Hebrews 9:4 Revelation 5:8 Revelation 8:4 Revelation 18:13 Genesis 37:25 Genesis 43:11 Exodus 25:6 Exodus 35:8 Exodus 35:28 Exodus 40:5 Exodus 40:27 Leviticus 26:31 Numbers 4:16 Numbers 16:6 Numbers 16:17 Numbers 16:37 Deuteronomy 33:10 1 Samuel 8:13 1 Kings 11:8 1 Chronicles 28:18 2 Chronicles 2:4 2 Chronicles 13:11 2 Chronicles 16:14 2 Chronicles 26:16 2 Chronicles 26:18 2 Chronicles 26:19 2 Chronicles 28:4 2 Chronicles 28:25 2 Chronicles 29:7 2 Chronicles 30:14 Esther 2:12 Psalms 45:8 Proverbs 7:17 Song of Songs 1:3 Song of Songs 4:10 Song of Songs 5:13 Isaiah 43:23 Isaiah 57:9 Isaiah 65:3 Isaiah 65:7 Isaiah 66:3 Jeremiah 1:16 Jeremiah 7:9 Jeremiah 11:12 Jeremiah 11:13 Jeremiah 11:17 Jeremiah 18:15 Jeremiah 19:4 Jeremiah 19:13 Jeremiah 32:29 Jeremiah 33:18 Jeremiah 44:3 Jeremiah 44:8 Jeremiah 44:15 Jeremiah 44:17 Jeremiah 44:18 Jeremiah 44:19 Jeremiah 44:21 Jeremiah 44:23 Jeremiah 44:25 Jeremiah 48:35 Ezekiel 8:11 Hosea 2:13 Hosea 4:13 Hosea 11:2 Amos 6:6 Subtopics Related Terms |