In biblical times, apothecaries were individuals skilled in the preparation and compounding of spices, ointments, and perfumes. The role of the apothecary is mentioned in several passages of the Bible, highlighting their importance in both religious and daily life.

Biblical References:

1. Exodus 30:25, 35 : The apothecary's art is first mentioned in the context of the Tabernacle. God instructed Moses to make a sacred anointing oil and a fragrant incense, both crafted by a skilled apothecary. "Prepare from these a holy anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer; it will be a holy anointing oil" (Exodus 30:25). This highlights the apothecary's role in creating substances used in worship and consecration.

2. Ecclesiastes 10:1 : The work of an apothecary is used metaphorically to illustrate the impact of folly. "As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor." This verse underscores the precision and care required in the apothecary's craft, as even a small error can ruin a valuable product.

3. Nehemiah 3:8 : The apothecaries were also involved in the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls, indicating their integration into the community and their contribution to civic projects. "Next to him, Uzziel son of Harhaiah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs, and next to him, Hananiah, a perfumer, made repairs. They restored Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall."

Role and Significance:

Apothecaries in biblical times were akin to modern-day pharmacists, responsible for the preparation of medicinal and aromatic compounds. Their skills were essential for creating the anointing oils and incense used in religious ceremonies, which were central to the worship practices of the Israelites. The precise formulation of these substances was crucial, as they were used to sanctify the Tabernacle, its furnishings, and the priests.

The apothecary's work required a deep understanding of various natural ingredients, including spices, herbs, and oils. This knowledge was often passed down through generations, making the role of the apothecary a respected and vital profession within the community.

Cultural Context:

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the use of perfumes and ointments was widespread, not only for religious purposes but also for personal grooming and medicinal treatments. The Israelites, like their neighbors, valued these substances for their aromatic and healing properties. The apothecaries' expertise in blending and preserving these materials was crucial for maintaining their efficacy and fragrance.

Spiritual Symbolism:

The work of the apothecary also carries spiritual symbolism. The anointing oil, a product of the apothecary's craft, represents the Holy Spirit's presence and the consecration of individuals and objects for God's service. The meticulous preparation of these oils and incense reflects the purity and holiness required in worship and service to God.

In summary, apothecaries played a significant role in biblical society, contributing to both the spiritual and practical aspects of life. Their work, as recorded in Scripture, underscores the importance of skill, precision, and dedication in serving God and the community.(n.) Plural of Apothecary.4842. mirqachath -- an ointment mixture
... perfumers'* (1). prepared by the apothecaries' art, compound, ointment. From
raqach; an aromatic unguent; also an unguent-pot -- prepared ...
/hebrew/4842.htm - 6k

'Over against his House'
... 'Many hands made light work.' Men and women, priests and nobles, goldsmiths,
apothecaries, merchants, all seized trowel or spade, and wheeled and piled. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/over against his house.htm

Wesley's Forgiveness
... Nevertheless, who can wonder that many gentlemen of the faculty, as well as their
good friends, the apothecaries, decry a medicine so shockingly cheap and easy ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/wesleys forgiveness.htm

To the Rev. A. Brandram
... An unhappy man, whilst collecting vipers amongst the hills, which he was in the
practice of selling to the apothecaries, was lately met near Orense by some of ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev a brandram 28.htm

Valentine Weigel and Nature Mysticism
... in 1527, but his revolutionary teaching and practice, his scorn for traditional
methods, his attacks on the ignorance and greed of apothecaries raised a storm ...
/.../chapter viii valentine weigel and.htm

Letter L. To Domnio.
... 5. It is no difficult matter, my dear Domnio, to chatter at street corners
or in apothecaries' shops and to pass judgment on the world. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter l to domnio.htm

Letter Lii. To Nepotian.
... You love silence, meekness, privacy; he takes delight in talking and effrontery,
in squares, and streets, and apothecaries' shops. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lii to nepotian.htm

The Use of Money
... 5. And are not they partakers of the same guilt, though in a lower degree, whether
Surgeons, Apothecaries, or Physicians, who play with the lives or health of ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 50 the use of.htm

(And Last): Homeward Bound
... ship be as lively as she will: then he will find a full gale a finer tonic, and
a finer stirrer of wholesome appetite, than all the drugs of Apothecaries' Hall ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter xvii and last homeward.htm

Religion and Amusement.
... Tear off your white chokers, ye Reverends, and throw away your pestles ye apothecaries,
and be like the apostles. Shall we have checker-boards in heaven? ...
/.../vincent/amusement a force in christian training/religion and amusement.htm

Directions to Church-Wardens, &C.
... because of their obligation to attend the sick.6. Apothecaries all England over
for the same reason, by the Statute of the 6th of King William III. ...
/.../prideaux/directions to church-wardens/directions to church-wardens &c.htm

Apothecaries (2 Occurrences)
...Apothecaries (2 Occurrences). ... Next unto him also repaired Hananiah the son of one
of the apothecaries, and they fortified Jerusalem unto the broad wall. ...
/a/apothecaries.htm - 7k

Apothecary (4 Occurrences)

/a/apothecary.htm - 9k

Odorous (1 Occurrence)
... for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with
sweet odorous and divers kinds of spices prepared by the apothecaries' art: and ...
/o/odorous.htm - 6k

Weight (143 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) A scale, or graduated standard, of heaviness; a mode of estimating weight;
as, avoirdupois weight; troy weight; apothecaries' weight. ...
/w/weight.htm - 43k

Dram
... 1. (n.) A weight; in Apothecaries' weight, one eighth part of an ounce, or sixty
grains; in Avoirdupois weight, one sixteenth part of an ounce, or 27.34375 ...
/d/dram.htm - 8k

Perfumer (4 Occurrences)
... Syria. Perfumes were mixed by persons skilled in the article In the King
James Version these are called "apothecaries" (raqqach). ...
/p/perfumer.htm - 11k

Perfume (202 Occurrences)
... Syria. Perfumes were mixed by persons skilled in the article In the King
James Version these are called "apothecaries" (raqqach). ...
/p/perfume.htm - 38k

Apostolical

/a/apostolical.htm - 7k

Sepulchers (15 Occurrences)
... for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with
sweet odors and divers kinds of spices prepared by the apothecaries' art: and ...
/s/sepulchers.htm - 11k

Sepulchres (17 Occurrences)
... for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with
sweet odorous and divers kinds of spices prepared by the apothecaries' art: and ...
/s/sepulchres.htm - 12k

Apothecaries: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus