Gifts Fit for a King

Uses of Aromatic Spices in Bible Times

Anointing oil and sacred incense.  Jehovah gave Moses the formulas for the anointing oil, or ointment, and the sacred incense. Both contained four different spices.  (Exodus 30:22-25, 34-38) Certain priests specialized in making anointing oil and in supervising the supply of these items. -Numbers 4:16; 1 Chronicles 9:30. 

Perfumes and ointments.  People who could afford it used fragrant powders for scenting their houses, garments, beds, and bodies.  (Esther 2;12; Proverbs 7:17; Song of Solomon 3:6, 7; 4:13, 14) Lazarus' sister Mary poured out very expensive "perfumed oil, genuine nard," on Jesus' hair and feet, the small jar of "genuine nard" cost up to a year's wages. - Mark 14:3-5. 

Preparation of bodies for burial.  Nicodemus supplied "a mixture of myrrh for burial.  (John 19:39, 40) And some of Jesus' disciples prepared "spices and perfumed oils" and took them to the tomb.- Luke23:56-24:1. 

Seasoning.  Israelites likely also used spices or condiments to enrich the flavor of fish and meat dishes. Other spices were used to fortify wine. -Song of Solomon 8:2. 

Next time: IS THE END NEAR? "THE END" WHAT DOES IT MEAN? 

From the Watchtower magazine, 2015