Topical Bible: Commerce: Articles of Perfumes

◄ Commerce: Articles of Perfumes ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

In biblical times, perfumes and aromatic substances played a significant role in both daily life and religious practices. The trade and use of these fragrant articles are well-documented throughout the Scriptures, highlighting their importance in ancient commerce and culture.

Biblical References and Uses

Perfumes in the Bible are often associated with luxury, beauty, and worship. The Song of Solomon frequently mentions perfumes, illustrating their use in romantic and celebratory contexts. For instance, Song of Solomon 1:3 states, "The fragrance of your perfume is pleasing; your name is like perfume poured out." This verse underscores the allure and desirability of perfumes, likening them to the beloved's name.

In religious practices, perfumes were integral to the anointing oils and incense used in the Tabernacle and Temple. Exodus 30:34-38 provides a detailed recipe for the sacred incense, which included spices like stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense. This sacred blend was reserved exclusively for worship, emphasizing the sanctity and divine association of these aromatic substances.

Trade and Commerce

The trade of perfumes and spices was a lucrative business in the ancient Near East. Caravans and merchants transported these precious goods across vast distances, often from regions such as Arabia, India, and Africa. Ezekiel 27:22 mentions the merchants of Sheba and Raamah trading "the finest of all kinds of spices and all kinds of precious stones and gold" with Tyre, indicating the high value and demand for these commodities.

The Queen of Sheba's visit to King Solomon further illustrates the significance of perfumes in diplomatic and commercial exchanges. 1 Kings 10:2 records that she brought "a great caravan, with camels carrying spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones." The mention of spices alongside gold and precious stones highlights their esteemed status and economic importance.

Cultural and Symbolic Significance

Perfumes in the Bible also carry symbolic meanings. They often represent purity, holiness, and divine favor. In the New Testament, Mary of Bethany anoints Jesus with expensive perfume, an act of devotion and worship. John 12:3 describes how "Mary took about a pint of expensive perfume, made of pure nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume." This act signifies honor and reverence, foreshadowing Jesus' burial.

Moreover, perfumes are used metaphorically to describe the believer's life and testimony. In 2 Corinthians 2:15 , Paul writes, "For we are to God the sweet aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing." Here, the fragrance symbolizes the influence and presence of Christ in the lives of believers.

Conclusion

The commerce of perfumes in biblical times reflects their multifaceted role in society, encompassing economic, cultural, and spiritual dimensions. As valuable trade items, they facilitated connections between distant lands and peoples, while their use in worship and personal life underscored their enduring significance in the biblical narrative.

Nave's Topical Index

Songs 3:6
Who is this that comes out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The First Theban Empire
... in fact, which Central Africa has furnished as articles of commerce from time ... for
reaching the land of Puanit, whose treasures in perfumes and rarities of ...
/.../chapter iiithe first theban empire.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... Gaza enjoyed among them a kind of hegemony, alike on account of its strategic position
and its favourable situation for commerce, but this supremacy was of ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The Temples and the Gods of Chaldaea
... The interior was panelled with cedar or cypress"rare woods procured as articles
of commerce from the peoples of the North and West; this woodwork was inlaid ...
/.../chapter iithe temples and the.htm

The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty --(Continued)
... demands of the consumer, the waning commerce which had ... the tomb of liakhmiri among
the articles of tribute ... dyed and embroidered stuffs,^ perfumes,^^ dried cakes ...
/.../chapter ithe eighteenth theban dynastycontinued.htm

The Political Constitution of Egypt
... the sound of prayer and sistrum, she poured libations and offered perfumes and flowers ...
abundant we may suppose them to have been, were mere articles of exchange ...
/.../chapter ithe political constitution of.htm

The Nile and Egypt
... with jewels,"nor the Nine gods, but they are in the night!"As soon as thou hast
answered by the rising,"each one anointeth himself with perfumes. ...
/.../chapter i the nile and egypt.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... of Car-chemish or Assur: the same articles of toilet, the same ranks of servants
and scribes, the same luxurious habits, and the same use of perfumes were to ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

The Memphite Empire
... permanent population was composed, provided for the daily exigencies of industry
and commerce. ... it; the heaven rains incense there and pours out perfumes on the ...
/.../chapter iithe memphite empire.htm

The Close of the Theban Empire
... as well as considerable quantities of the perfumes of Puatin ... of foreigners attracted
hither by commerce or held ... the products or manufactured articles with which ...
/.../chapter iiithe close of the.htm

The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
... Drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from the Description de l'Egypte. Commerce brought in to
it, in fact, at least as much money as the tribute took out of it. ...
/.../chapter iithe last days of 2.htm