Definition and Usage in Biblical Times:

Spice-perfume in biblical times refers to aromatic substances used for anointing, embalming, and as offerings. These substances were often derived from plants, resins, and other natural sources. The use of spice-perfume was prevalent in ancient Israelite culture for religious, ceremonial, and personal purposes.

Biblical References:

1. Anointing and Consecration:
Spice-perfume was integral in the anointing of priests and kings, symbolizing sanctification and divine favor. In Exodus 30:22-25, God instructs Moses to make a sacred anointing oil using myrrh, cinnamon, calamus, cassia, and olive oil. This oil was used to consecrate the Tabernacle and its furnishings, as well as Aaron and his sons: "Take the finest spices: 500 shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much (that is, 250 shekels) of fragrant cinnamon, 250 shekels of fragrant calamus, 500 shekels of cassia—all according to the sanctuary shekel—and a hin of olive oil. Prepare from these a holy anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer; it will be a sacred anointing oil" .

2. Embalming and Burial:
Spice-perfume was also used in burial practices to honor the deceased and mask the odor of decay. In John 19:39-40, Nicodemus brings a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds, to anoint Jesus' body: "Nicodemus, who had previously come to Jesus at night, also brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. So they took the body of Jesus and wrapped it in linen cloths with the spices, according to the Jewish burial custom" .

3. Offerings and Worship:
Spices were used in offerings and incense, symbolizing prayers ascending to God. In Exodus 30:34-36, God commands Moses to make incense with equal parts of stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense: "Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Take fragrant spices—gum resin, onycha, and galbanum—and pure frankincense, all in equal measures, and make a fragrant blend of incense, the work of a perfumer, seasoned with salt, pure and holy'" .

4. Personal Use and Symbolism:
In the Song of Solomon, spice-perfume is used metaphorically to describe love and beauty. Song of Solomon 4:14-15 lists various spices, highlighting their value and allure: "nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with all the trees of frankincense, myrrh and aloes, with all the finest spices. You are a garden spring, a well of flowing water streaming down from Lebanon" .

Cultural and Historical Context:

Spice-perfume was a luxury item in the ancient Near East, often imported from distant lands such as Arabia, India, and Africa. The trade of spices was a significant economic activity, and these substances were highly prized for their rarity and aromatic qualities. The preparation of spice-perfume was a skilled craft, often involving complex processes to extract and blend the fragrances.

Theological Significance:

In the Bible, spice-perfume often symbolizes purity, holiness, and the presence of God. Its use in anointing and worship underscores the importance of sanctification and the offering of one's best to the Lord. The fragrant aroma of spices is likened to the prayers and devotion of the faithful, rising to God as a pleasing sacrifice.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 - 6k4840. merqach -- spice, perfume
... 4839, 4840. merqach. 4841 . spice, perfume. Transliteration: merqach Phonetic
Spelling: (mer-kawkh') Short Definition: herbs. Word ...
/hebrew/4840.htm - 6kSpice-perfume (5 Occurrences)
Spice-perfume. Spice-merchants, Spice-perfume. Spicery . Multi-Version
Concordance Spice-perfume (5 Occurrences). Exodus ...
/s/spice-perfume.htm - 8k

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

Covering (191 Occurrences)
... Exodus 35:15 And the altar of perfume, and its staves, and the anointing oil, and
the spiceperfume, and the covering of the opening at the opening of the ...
/c/covering.htm - 39k

Maketh (399 Occurrences)
... gold; (YLT). Exodus 37:29 and he maketh the holy anointing oil, and the
pure spice-perfume -- work of a compounder. (YLT). Exodus ...
/m/maketh.htm - 34k

Responsibility (17 Occurrences)
... Numbers 4:16 And the oversight of Eleazar, son of Aaron the priest, 'is' the oil
of the lamp, and the spice-perfume, and the present of continuity, and the ...
/r/responsibility.htm - 11k

Continuity (2 Occurrences)
... Numbers 4:16 And the oversight of Eleazar, son of Aaron the priest, 'is' the oil
of the lamp, and the spice-perfume, and the present of continuity, and the ...
/c/continuity.htm - 7k

Compounder (3 Occurrences)
... salted, pure, holy; (YLT). Exodus 37:29 and he maketh the holy anointing oil,
and the pure spice-perfume -- work of a compounder. (YLT). ...
/c/compounder.htm - 7k

Spicery (2 Occurrences)

/s/spicery.htm - 7k

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

Fulness (76 Occurrences)
... taken the fulness of the censer of burning coals of fire from off the altar, from
before Jehovah, and the fulness of his hands of thin spice-perfume, and hath ...
/f/fulness.htm - 30k

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