The Bible's Many Mentions Of Fragrance And Perfume

The Bible mentions several fragrant spices and oils, including olive oil, which was used to anoint the sick. The word 'perfume' only appears three times in the KJV of the Bible, all in the Old Testament. Other fragrant substances mentioned in the Bible include frankincense, myrrh, and cinnamon.

The word 'perfume' is mentioned three times in the Bible, all in the Old Testament

The word perfume is mentioned three times in the Bible, all in the Old Testament.

The Scriptures show that burning incense is a type of prayer to God (Psalm 41:2; Revelation 5:8; 8:3-4). The Bible also mentions several fragrant spices and oils, including olive oil, which was used to anoint the sick (Mark 6:13; James 5:14). This was a symbol of the Holy Spirit, which God uses to miraculously heal.

In the Song of Solomon 4:13, several sources of essential oils are listed: "Fragrant henna with spikenard, spikenard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense (galbanum), myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices." Frankincense and myrrh were two of the gifts to Jesus from the magi, and they come from aromatic gum resins from certain trees.

Other fragrant oils mentioned in the Bible include algum (probably what is known as sandalwood today), amomum, balm (balsam), cassia (similar in flavour and aroma to cinnamon), coriander, dill, lily, mastich, mint, mustard, and stacte.

The burning of incense is a type of prayer to God

Incense is mentioned in Exodus 30:7-8, where Aaron is instructed to burn fragrant incense every morning before the Lord. This is described as a "regular incense offering" that should be burned "before the Lord, throughout your generations". Incense is also mentioned in Exodus 30:37-38, where God forbids personal use of the sacred incense, warning that "whoever makes any like it, to smell it, he shall be cut off from his people".

The burning of incense is seen as a sign of reverence and dedication, and it is used in funeral Masses to show reverence for the body that was once the temple of God. In Revelation 5:8 and 8:3-4, the elders hold harps and gold bowls filled with incense, which are described as "the prayers of the holy ones". The smoke of the incense rises before God with the prayers, symbolising something pleasing and acceptable being offered to Him.

The incense altar is considered to be God's ministry inside His Church, and the burning of incense is seen as a way to offer spiritual incense to God. This practice is relevant today, as it can help Christians to become more effective at preparing and offering spiritual incense to God.

Several fragrant spices and oils are mentioned in the Bible, including olive oil

The word "perfume" only occurs three times in the Bible, all in the Old Testament. However, the Bible also uses terms like scents, smells, ointments, aromas, and pleasant savours to describe essential oils. Over 600 passages in the Bible mention either essential oils or the fragrant plants from which they were derived.

The Bible mentions several fragrant substances that were native to Palestine, and others that were imported, mostly from tropical countries. Most were relatively expensive, so their uses were reserved for special occasions. For example, the "sweet incense" burned on the altar of incense in the tabernacle was made of equal parts of stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense. This was for sacred use only; God did not permit any personal use.

Other fragrant oils and spices mentioned in the Bible include algum (probably sandalwood), amomum, balsam, cassia (similar to cinnamon), coriander, dill, lily, mastich, mint, mustard, and stacte. The Song of Solomon lists several fragrant substances, including "fragrant henna with spikenard, spikenard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense (galbanum), myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices."

The Hebrew word for 'spices' is often translated as 'perfumes'

The word "perfume" only occurs three times in the KJV of the Bible, all in the Old Testament. However, several fragrant spices and oils are mentioned in the Scriptures. The Hebrew word for spices is often translated as perfumes. For example, the Hebrew word בֶּשֶׂם, beśem, H1314, means fragrance, spicery, and the balsam plant. The word is used in Song 5:1, "I have gathered my myrrh with my spice," and in Song 1:13 and Song 6:2, where it refers to sweet aromatic odours.

In the Bible, the burning of incense is a type of prayer to God. The "sweet incense" burned on the altar of incense in the tabernacle was made of equal parts of stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense (Exodus 30:7, 34-35). This was for sacred use only, and God did not permit any personal use (Exodus 30:37-38).

Several sources of essential oils are listed in Song of Solomon 4:13: "Fragrant henna with spikenard, spikenard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense (galbanum), myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices." Esther was also given "sweet odours" or "perfumes" in the form of oil of myrrh (Esther 2:12).

Olive oil was used to anoint the sick (Mark 6:13; James 5:14) and was a symbol of the Holy Spirit. It was also used to create aromatic ointments with added resins.

Frankincense and myrrh, two of the gifts to Jesus from the magi, come from aromatic gum resins from certain trees

The word "perfume" only occurs three times in the Bible, all in the Old Testament. However, several fragrant spices and oils are mentioned in the Scriptures. Frankincense and myrrh, two of the gifts to Jesus from the magi, come from aromatic gum resins from certain trees. Myrrh was also given to Esther (Esther 2:12). Other fragrant substances mentioned in the Bible include olive oil, which was used to anoint the sick (Mark 6:13; James 5:14), and "sweet incense", which was burned on the altar of incense in the tabernacle and was made of equal parts of stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense (Exodus 30:7, 34-35). This was for sacred use only; God did not permit any personal use. The burning of incense is also described as a type of prayer going up to God (Psalm 41:2; Revelation 5:8; 8:3-4).

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