In the context of the Bible, "compounds" often refer to mixtures or combinations of substances, particularly those used for sacred purposes. The concept of compounds is most prominently featured in the Old Testament, where specific instructions are given for the preparation of holy anointing oils and incense.

Anointing Oil

The anointing oil is a significant compound mentioned in the Bible, used for consecrating priests, the tabernacle, and its furnishings. In Exodus 30:22-25, God provides Moses with a detailed recipe for this sacred mixture: "Take the finest spices: 500 shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much (that is, 250 shekels) of fragrant cinnamon, 250 shekels of fragrant cane, 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" . This compound was not to be replicated for personal use, emphasizing its sanctity and divine purpose (Exodus 30:32-33).

Incense

Another important compound in biblical worship is the incense used in the tabernacle and later in the temple. Exodus 30:34-38 describes the composition of this incense: "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" . Like the anointing oil, this incense was considered holy and was not to be used for personal enjoyment, underscoring its role in worship and the presence of God.

Symbolism and Significance

The use of compounds in the Bible often carries deep symbolic meaning. The anointing oil, for instance, represents the Holy Spirit's presence and empowerment. The act of anointing with oil signifies setting apart individuals or objects for God's service, as seen in the anointing of kings like David (1 Samuel 16:13) and priests like Aaron (Leviticus 8:12).

Similarly, the incense symbolizes the prayers of the saints rising to God, as depicted in Psalm 141:2: "May my prayer be set before You like incense, my uplifted hands like the evening offering" . In the New Testament, this imagery is echoed in Revelation 5:8, where the prayers of the saints are described as golden bowls full of incense.

Prohibitions and Warnings

The Bible contains strict prohibitions against the misuse of these sacred compounds. The anointing oil and incense were not to be replicated or used for common purposes, as stated in Exodus 30:32-38. This underscores the holiness of these substances and the importance of maintaining the sanctity of worship practices.

Conclusion

In summary, compounds in the Bible, particularly anointing oil and incense, play a crucial role in the religious life of Israel. They are not merely physical mixtures but carry profound spiritual significance, symbolizing God's presence, the consecration of individuals and objects, and the prayers of the faithful. The careful instructions and prohibitions surrounding these compounds highlight their importance in maintaining the purity and sanctity of worship.1909. epi -- on, upon
... In compounds it retains essentially the same import, at, upon, etc. (literally or
figuratively). (ep) -- 145 Occurrences. (epi) -- 663 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1909.htm - 8k

3844. para -- from beside, by the side of, by, beside
... In compounds it retains the same variety of application. (par) -- 60 Occurrences.
(para) -- 134 Occurrences. 3843, 3844. para. 3845 . Strong's Numbers.
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3844.htm - 8k

3361. me -- not, that...not, lest (used for qualified negation)
... Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations. See also ean me, hina
me, ou me, mekos, mekuno, men, me ouk. see GREEK ou. see GREEK ean me. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3361.htm - 8k

303. ana -- as a preposition denotes upwards, up, as a prefix ...
... In compounds (as a prefix) it often means (by implication) repetition, intensity,
reversal, etc. (ana) -- 13 Occurrences. 302, 303. ana. 304 . ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/303.htm - 6k

1722. en -- in, on, at, by, with
... Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of
motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1722.htm - 8k

China Inland Mission Normal Training College, Hwochow, Shansi
... CHEMISTRY. What weight of each of the following compounds is necessary to prepare
50 litres of Oxygen?"Water, Mercuric Oxide, Potassium Chlorate. ...
/.../china inland mission normal training.htm

Blind Force or Intelligence, Which?
... "It is different with the advanced plant. The organic compounds required to extend
the fabric, are formed by the plant, instead of being supplied from without. ...
/.../blind force or intelligence which.htm

That the Self-Existent Being must be Intelligent.
... That which has been apt to deceive men in this matter is this; that they imagine
compounds to be somewhat really different from that of which they are ...
/.../viii proposition viii that the.htm

Verbs, 15-33
... Compounds of these and others abound, eg -. ... pesate Hos.10:8. Among compounds we find
apepesatosan, diepesan, enepesan, epepesan. So in NT ". epesa Rev.1:17. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/conybeare/a grammar of septuagint greek/verbs 15-33.htm

On the Physical Basis of Life.
... to which I shall advert more at length presently), in the fact that plants can
manufacture fresh protoplasm out of mineral compounds, whereas animals are ...
/.../huxley/lay sermons addresses and reviews/vii on the physical basis.htm

Fourth Tractate. Matter in Its Two Kinds.
... Further, a compound in the Intellectual order is not to be confounded with a compound
in the realm of Matter; the Divine Reasons are compounds and their Act is ...
/.../plotinus/the six enneads/fourth tractate matter in its.htm

The Israelites
... Compound words, moreover, are rare, the compounds of our European languages
being replaced in the Semitic dialects by separate words. ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter i the israelites.htm

Choosing the Tens
... cattle. Close to these were compounds for the flocks and brush inclosures
for geese, and cotes for the pigeons used in sacrifice. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter i choosing the tens.htm

Divine Support and Protection
... For it must be allowed that he sometimes departs from the usual forms of expression;
invents new words, or at least compounds words for his own use, and heaps ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xlv divine support and.htm

They Deceive, Instead of Healing.
... to the power of God. As noxious preparations are material compounds, so
are curatives of the same nature. If, however, we reject ...
/.../tatian/tatians address to the greeks/chapter xviii they deceive instead of.htm

Compounds (1 Occurrence)
...Compounds (1 Occurrence). Exodus 30:33 Whoever compounds any like it, or whoever
puts any of it on a stranger, he shall be cut off from his people.'" (WEB RSV). ...
/c/compounds.htm - 6k

Compounder (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) One who, or that which, compounds or mixes; as, a compounder of medicines. ...
3. (n.) One who compounds a debt, obligation, or crime. ...
/c/compounder.htm - 7k

Comprehend (9 Occurrences)

/c/comprehend.htm - 11k

Press (57 Occurrences)
... See DRINK, STRONG. (8) In the Apocrypha and New Testament "wine" represents oinos,
with certain compounds, except in Acts 2:13, where the Greek is gleukos ...
/p/press.htm - 46k

Wine (282 Occurrences)
... See DRINK, STRONG. (8) In the Apocrypha and New Testament "wine" represents oinos,
with certain compounds, except in Acts 2:13, where the Greek is gleukos ...
/w/wine.htm - 68k

Vain (141 Occurrences)
... of "vanity," and representing the same Hebrew and Greek words as does the latter,
with a few additions (chiefly kenos, "empty," and its compounds in the New ...
/v/vain.htm - 36k

Kerchief
... covering for the head; hence, anything similar in form or material, worn for ornament
on other parts of the person; -- mostly used in compounds; as, neckerchief ...
/k/kerchief.htm - 7k

Normal (3 Occurrences)
... 5. (a.) Denoting certain hypothetical compounds, as acids from which the real acids
are obtained by dehydration; thus, normal sulfuric acid and normal nitric ...
/n/normal.htm - 8k

Outsider (9 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Exodus 30:33 Whoever compounds any like it, or whoever puts any of it
on a stranger, he shall be cut off from his people.'" (See RSV). ...
/o/outsider.htm - 9k

Ointment (29 Occurrences)
... Various fragrant preparations, also compounds for medical purposes, are so called
(Exodus 30:25; Psalm 133:2; Isaiah 1:6; Amos 6:6; John 12:3; Revelation 18:13 ...
/o/ointment.htm - 18k

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