Aloes used As Perfume
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Aloes, in the context of biblical references, are aromatic substances derived from the heartwood of certain trees, primarily used for their fragrant properties. The term "aloes" in the Bible is often associated with luxury, wealth, and the preparation of bodies for burial due to its pleasant scent and preservative qualities.

Biblical References:

1. Psalm 45:8 : "All Your garments are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; from palaces of ivory the harps make You glad." In this royal psalm, aloes are mentioned alongside myrrh and cassia, highlighting their use in anointing and perfuming garments, signifying opulence and divine favor.

2. Proverbs 7:17 : "I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, with aloes, and with cinnamon." Here, aloes are part of a seductive setting, illustrating their role in creating an alluring and luxurious atmosphere.

3. Song of Solomon 4:14 : "nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with all the trees of frankincense, myrrh and aloes, with all the finest spices." In this poetic and romantic book, aloes are listed among the finest spices, symbolizing the richness and depth of love and desire.

4. John 19:39 : "Nicodemus, who had previously come to Jesus at night, also brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds." This passage describes the use of aloes in the burial preparations for Jesus, indicating their significance in Jewish burial customs and their association with honor and respect.

Cultural and Historical Context:

Aloes, likely derived from the Aquilaria tree, were highly valued in ancient times for their aromatic properties. The wood was often ground into a powder or mixed with other spices to create perfumes and incense. The use of aloes in perfumery and embalming reflects the cultural practices of the ancient Near East, where fragrances played a crucial role in religious rituals, personal grooming, and burial rites.

In biblical times, the procurement of aloes would have been costly, as they were imported from distant lands, adding to their allure and status as a luxury item. The inclusion of aloes in scripture underscores their importance and the esteem in which they were held.

Symbolism and Theological Significance:

Aloes, as a symbol of fragrance and preservation, carry theological implications in the biblical narrative. Their use in anointing and burial signifies purity, sanctity, and the hope of resurrection. The fragrant aroma of aloes can be seen as a metaphor for the pleasing nature of a righteous life before God, as well as the enduring legacy of faith and devotion.

In the context of Christ's burial, the use of aloes by Nicodemus signifies the honor and reverence afforded to Jesus, acknowledging His kingship and the fulfillment of His sacrificial mission. The combination of myrrh and aloes in this act of devotion highlights the intersection of human love and divine purpose, encapsulating the essence of the Gospel message.
Nave's Topical Index
Psalm 45:8
All your garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made you glad.
Nave's Topical Index

Proverbs 7:17
I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
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Songs 4:14
Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices:
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Library

And after That, Jesus Knew that all Things were Finished...
... with him perfume [3665] [32] of myrrh and aloes, about a ... [3692] They brought with
them the [47] perfume which they ... [3665] The preparation used in embalming. ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section lii and after that.htm

A Bundle of Myrrh
... Doth he not perfume our ministry, for is it not written ... The Egyptians used it in
embalming the dead: and we ... and the holy women bringing myrrh and aloes in which ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/a bundle of myrrh.htm

The Pastor's Parting Blessing
... One of the benedictions frequently used by the apostle ... All the spices, the myrrh,
the aloes, the cassia, the ... May his sacred unction anoint and perfume us all! ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the pastors parting blessing.htm

The Best of the Best
... I need not defend my Master, though he used these sweet ... All thy garments smell of
myrrh, and aloes, and cassia ... Yes, that also has a delicate perfume; that will ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 42 1896/the best of the best.htm

The Beatific vision
... They used glass to see by, but not to see through. ... that my fingers did smell myrrh,
and aloes, and cassia ... his lips, but what his very breath shed perfume on me ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the beatific vision.htm

The First Sermon in the Tabernacle
... This has been a power to the Romish church"a power which they have used for ill,
but ... He is all manner of precious perfume, myrrh, and aloes, and cassia. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/the first sermon in the.htm

The Honoured Guest
... rapturous expressions that saints have ever used do not ... he ever teaches but is fragrant
with choice perfume. ... utters but smelleth of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 61 1915/the honoured guest.htm

The Story of the Stranger at the Well
... said: "Is not this the man who used to sit ... she could; for she has come to perfume
my body ... Nicodemus brought some precious spices, myrrh and aloes, which they ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of the stranger.htm

Supposing Him to be the Gardener
... and bananas, roses and camellias, oranges and aloes, lavender and ... and poor forth
its rarest perfume, because Jesus ... their being used in Mission Halls, and other ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 29 1883/supposing him to be the.htm

The Pilgrim's Progress
... I have used similitudes.'"Hosea ... So she took it and opened it, but it smelt after
the manner of the best perfume (Song.1:3); also it was written in letters of ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the pilgrims progress.htm

Resources
What was the significance of anointing spices in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Aloes: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Aloes

Aloes in Embalming the Dead

Aloes used As Perfume

Aloes: Lign-Aloes

Related Terms

Lign-aloes (1 Occurrence)

Lignaloes

Myrrh (22 Occurrences)

Cinnamon (4 Occurrences)

Botany

Cassia (3 Occurrences)

Nicodemus (5 Occurrences)

Cedar (61 Occurrences)

Spices (64 Occurrences)

Valleys (38 Occurrences)

Visited (40 Occurrences)

Nard (5 Occurrences)

Nicode'mus (5 Occurrences)

Ligure (2 Occurrences)

Lign (1 Occurrence)

Gardens (14 Occurrences)

Weight (143 Occurrences)

Finest (23 Occurrences)

River-side (2 Occurrences)

Riverside (4 Occurrences)

River's (5 Occurrences)

Eighty (36 Occurrences)

Earlier (48 Occurrences)

Mixture (16 Occurrences)

Pound (13 Occurrences)

Perfumed (10 Occurrences)

Palaces (37 Occurrences)

Pounds (16 Occurrences)

Bitter (203 Occurrences)

Cedar-trees (11 Occurrences)

Cypresses (6 Occurrences)

Calamus (5 Occurrences)

Cane (11 Occurrences)

Alnathan

Adorned (20 Occurrences)

Aloe-trees (1 Occurrence)

Safron (1 Occurrence)

Spice (25 Occurrences)

Saffron (1 Occurrence)

Spikenard (4 Occurrences)

Strings (11 Occurrences)

Seventy-five (12 Occurrences)

Fragrant (30 Occurrences)

Stringed (34 Occurrences)

Mixed (96 Occurrences)

Bearing (150 Occurrences)

Bringing (288 Occurrences)

Bedstead (1 Occurrence)

Whereby (46 Occurrences)

Bedchamber (6 Occurrences)

Ivory (13 Occurrences)

Planted (105 Occurrences)

Afar (98 Occurrences)

Frankincense (22 Occurrences)

Seventy (97 Occurrences)

Joseph (248 Occurrences)

Bed (142 Occurrences)

Stretch (73 Occurrences)

Burial (25 Occurrences)

Roll (57 Occurrences)

Trees (179 Occurrences)

Stretched (234 Occurrences)

Couch (55 Occurrences)

Sprinkled (55 Occurrences)

Smell (77 Occurrences)

River (189 Occurrences)

Hundred (526 Occurrences)

Instruments (136 Occurrences)

Spread (257 Occurrences)

Roman (26 Occurrences)

Aloes in Embalming the Dead
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