In biblical times, perfumers played a significant role in both religious and daily life, as they were responsible for creating aromatic substances used in worship, personal grooming, and burial practices. The craft of perfumery is mentioned in various contexts throughout the Bible, highlighting its importance in ancient Israelite culture.

Biblical References

The art of perfumery is first mentioned in the context of the construction of the Tabernacle. In Exodus 30:22-25, God instructs Moses to make a sacred anointing oil, a blend of myrrh, cinnamon, calamus, cassia, and olive oil, crafted by a skilled perfumer: "Take the finest spices: 500 shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much (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" .

Perfumers were also involved in the preparation of incense, which was a crucial element of worship in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple. Exodus 30:34-35 describes the composition of incense: "Then the LORD said to Moses, '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'" .

Role and Skills

Perfumers were highly skilled artisans, knowledgeable in the properties and combinations of various aromatic substances. Their expertise was not only in creating pleasing scents but also in ensuring that the mixtures adhered to the specific requirements set forth by religious law. The precision and care required in their work underscored the sacred nature of their craft.

Cultural and Religious Significance

Perfumes and anointing oils held deep symbolic meaning in the Bible. They were often associated with joy, celebration, and consecration. For instance, Psalm 133:2 compares the unity of brethren to the precious oil poured on Aaron's head, signifying blessing and holiness: "It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard over the collar of his robes" .

In the New Testament, the use of perfume is noted in the anointing of Jesus. In Mark 14:3, a woman anoints Jesus with expensive perfume, an act that Jesus commends as preparation for His burial: "While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke open the jar and poured it on His head" .

Economic and Social Aspects

The production and trade of perfumes were economically significant in the ancient Near East. Perfumes were considered luxury items, often imported from distant lands, and were used by the wealthy and powerful. The Song of Solomon frequently references perfumes, indicating their association with love and beauty: "Your oils have a pleasing fragrance; your name is like perfume poured out. No wonder the maidens adore you" (Song of Solomon 1:3).

Conclusion

The role of perfumers in biblical times was multifaceted, encompassing religious, cultural, and economic dimensions. Their craft was integral to the worship practices of ancient Israel and held a place of honor and respect within the community.7546. raqqach -- ointment maker, perfumer
... 7545, 7546. raqqach. 7547 . ointment maker, perfumer. Transliteration: raqqach
Phonetic Spelling: (rak-kawkh') Short Definition: perfumers. ...
/hebrew/7546.htm - 6k

7548. raqqachah -- (female) ointment maker, perfumer
... 7547, 7548. raqqachah. 7549 . (female) ointment maker, perfumer. Transliteration:
raqqachah Phonetic Spelling: (rak-kaw-khaw') Short Definition: perfumers. ...
/hebrew/7548.htm - 6k

4842. mirqachath -- an ointment mixture
... mixing. Word Origin from raqach Definition an ointment mixture NASB Word
Usage mixing (1), mixture (1), perfumers'* (1). prepared ...
/hebrew/4842.htm - 6k

7543. raqach -- to mix or compound oil or ointment
... to mix or compound oil or ointment NASB Word Usage blended (1), mix (1), mix in
the spices (1), perfumer (3), perfumer's (1), perfumers'* (1), prepared (1). ...
/hebrew/7543.htm - 6k

His Cheeks are as a Bed of Spices, Prepared by the Perfumers; his ...
... CHAPTER V. 13. His cheeks are as a bed of spices, prepared by the perfumers;
His lips like lilies, dropping choice myrrh. The cheeks ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/13 his cheeks are as.htm

With whom we are to Associate.
... not a loving lord, but threatened to give them a self-willed and voluptuous tyrant,
"who shall," He says, "take your daughters to be perfumers, and cooks, and ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter iv with whom we are.htm

A Cultivated Conservative Friend of Mine once Exhibited Great ...
... Grooms might be born bow-legged and tailors born cross-legged; perfumers might have
long, large noses and a crouching attitude, like hounds of scent; and ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 42 a cultivated conservative.htm

Chapter v.
... myrrh.13. His cheeks are as a bed of spices, prepared by the perfumers;
his lips like lilies, dropping choice myrrh. 14. His hands ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/chapter v.htm

How Dangerous this Imperfect Love Is.
... malice. Perfumers, though out of their shops, bear about with them for a
long time the scent of the perfumes which they have handled. ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter x how dangerous this.htm

The Second Difference Between Meditation and Contemplation.
... gold, his locks as branches of palm trees, black as a raven, his eyes as doves,
his cheeks are as beds of aromatical spices, set by the perfumers, his lips are ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter v the second difference.htm

For, to Begin with what is Important, what Advantage is it to the ...
... What, that there are dealers in salt fish, salters, fishmongers, perfumers, goldsmiths,
bird-catchers, weavers of winnowing fans and baskets of rushes? ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/38 for to begin with.htm

Necessity of Inequality.
... or lords, or teachers, or lawyers, or geometers, or goldsmiths, or bakers, or smiths,
or grammarians, or rich men, or farmers, or perfumers, or fishermen, or ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter v necessity of inequality.htm

Different Customs of Different Countries.
... placed with Venus in his own houses, so as to produce either painters, or sculptors,
or money-changers; or in the houses of Venus, so that perfumers, or singers ...
/.../recognitions of clement /chapter xxiv different customs of different.htm

It is Unlawful for Anyone to Corrupt or Cut up a Book of the Old.. ...
... Old or New Testament or of our holy and approved preachers and teachers, or to give
them up to the traders in books or to those who are called perfumers, or to ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon lxviii it is unlawful.htm

Perfumers (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Perfumers (3 Occurrences). 1 Samuel 8:13 He will take
your daughters to be perfumers, and to be cooks, and to be bakers. ...
/p/perfumers.htm - 7k

Hananiah (28 Occurrences)
... (10) One of the perfumers (the King James Version ... Next to him repaired Hananiah one
of the perfumers, and they fortified Jerusalem even to the broad wall. ...
/h/hananiah.htm - 20k

Perfumer (4 Occurrences)

/p/perfumer.htm - 11k

Uz'ziel (16 Occurrences)
... Next to him repaired Hananiah one of the perfumers, and they fortified Jerusalem
even to the broad wall. (See RSV). Uzziel, Uz'ziel. Uzzielite . ...
/u/uz'ziel.htm - 10k

Odors (8 Occurrences)
... out for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with
sweet odors and various kinds of spices prepared by the perfumers' art: and ...
/o/odors.htm - 9k

Ointment (29 Occurrences)
... Hebrew 41:23)). The well-known power of oils and fats to absorb odors
was made use of by the ancient perfumers. The composition ...
/o/ointment.htm - 18k

Odours (8 Occurrences)
... out 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 perfumers art: and ...
/o/odours.htm - 9k

Goldsmiths (3 Occurrences)
... Next to him repaired Hananiah one of the perfumers, and they fortified Jerusalem
even to the broad wall. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV). ...
/g/goldsmiths.htm - 7k

Repairs (24 Occurrences)
... goldsmiths. And next unto him repaired Hananiah one of the perfumers, and they
restored Jerusalem even unto the broad wall. (See NAS NIV). ...
/r/repairs.htm - 13k

Perfumer's (2 Occurrences)

/p/perfumer's.htm - 7k

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