Perfumery in biblical times was a significant aspect of daily life, religious practices, and royal ceremonies. The art of creating perfumes and anointing oils is mentioned throughout the Scriptures, highlighting its importance in ancient Israelite culture and worship.

Biblical References and Uses

Perfumes and anointing oils are frequently mentioned in the Bible, often associated with sacred rituals, personal grooming, and royal ceremonies. In Exodus 30:22-25, God instructs Moses on the preparation of a holy anointing oil: "Then the LORD said to Moses, '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 holy anointing oil.'" This passage underscores the divine mandate for the use of specific aromatic substances in worship.

Perfumes were also used for personal adornment and hygiene. In the Song of Solomon, the beloved is described with imagery of perfumes: "Your oils have a pleasing fragrance; your name is like perfume poured out. No wonder the maidens adore you" (Song of Solomon 1:3). This reflects the cultural appreciation for fragrance as a symbol of beauty and attraction.

Materials and Ingredients

The ingredients for biblical perfumes were often derived from natural sources, including plants, resins, and oils. Myrrh and frankincense are two of the most frequently mentioned substances. Myrrh, a resin obtained from the Commiphora tree, was used in embalming and as a perfume. Frankincense, derived from the Boswellia tree, was a key component in incense offerings. In Matthew 2:11, the Magi present gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the Christ child, signifying honor and worship.

Other ingredients included spikenard, a costly aromatic oil mentioned in the anointing of Jesus by Mary of Bethany (John 12:3), and aloes, used in burial preparations (John 19:39).

Cultural and Religious Significance

Perfumes held a dual role in both secular and sacred contexts. In religious ceremonies, they symbolized purity and sanctity. The anointing oil, as described in Exodus, was used to consecrate priests and sacred objects, setting them apart for divine service. The fragrant incense burned in the Tabernacle and Temple represented the prayers of the people ascending to God, as seen in Psalm 141:2: "May my prayer be set before You like incense, my uplifted hands like the evening offering."

In royal settings, perfumes were a mark of luxury and status. Esther, in preparation to meet King Xerxes, underwent a year-long beauty treatment with oils and perfumes (Esther 2:12). This practice highlights the cultural value placed on fragrance as a symbol of refinement and allure.

Symbolism and Metaphor

Perfumes in the Bible often carry symbolic meanings. They can represent the presence of God, as in the anointing of kings and priests, or the beauty and purity of the beloved in the Song of Solomon. The metaphor of fragrance is also used to describe the spread of the Gospel and the character of believers. In 2 Corinthians 2:14-15, Paul writes, "But thanks be to God, who always leads us triumphantly as captives in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. For we are to God the sweet aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing."

Conclusion

The art of perfumery in biblical times was a complex and revered practice, deeply intertwined with the spiritual and cultural life of the people. Its presence in Scripture underscores the importance of fragrance as a symbol of holiness, beauty, and divine presence.1. (n.) Perfumes, in general, or the art of preparing or selling perfumes.7547. riqquach -- perfumery
... 7546, 7547. riqquach or riqquach. 7548 . perfumery. Transliteration: riqquach
or riqquach Phonetic Spelling: (rak-koo'-akh) Short Definition: perfumes. ...
/hebrew/7547.htm - 6k

7544. reqach -- spice
... spiced. From raqach; properly, perfumery, ie (by implication) spicery (for flavor) --
spiced. see HEBREW raqach. 7543, 7544. reqach. 7545 . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/7544.htm - 6k

8562. tamruq -- a scraping, rubbing
... Or tamruq {tam-rook'}; or tamriyq {tam-reek'}; from maraq; properly, a scouring,
ie Soap or perfumery for the bath; figuratively, a detergent -- X cleanse ...
/hebrew/8562.htm - 6k

4795. maruq -- a scraping, rubbing
... purification. From maraq; properly, rubbed; but used abstractly, a rubbing (with
perfumery) -- purification. see HEBREW maraq. 4794, 4795. maruq. 4796 . ...
/hebrew/4795.htm - 6k

Pleasures of the Glorified Senses.
... Think, also, how exquisitely the odors of flowers, incense, and all manner of perfumery
produce a soothing effect upon man, banishing cares, and infusing a new ...
/.../boudreaux/the happiness of heaven/chapter x pleasures of the.htm

Perfumery (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Perfumes, in general, or the art of preparing
or selling perfumes. Multi-Version Concordance Perfumery (1 Occurrence). ...
/p/perfumery.htm - 6k

Nard (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) An East Indian plant (Nardostachys Jatamansi)
of the Valerian family, used from remote ages in Oriental perfumery. ...
/n/nard.htm - 8k

Myrtle (7 Occurrences)
... The flowers, leaves, and berries are used variously in perfumery and as a condiment,
and the beautifully mottled wood is used in turning. Int. ...
/m/myrtle.htm - 12k

Perfumer's (2 Occurrences)

/p/perfumer's.htm - 7k

Box (13 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary For holding oil or perfumery (Mark 14:3). It
was of the form of a flask or bottle. The Hebrew word (pak ...
/b/box.htm - 13k

Stacte (1 Occurrence)
... "The Syrians value this gum highly, and use it medicinally as an emulcent in pectoral
complaints, and also in perfumery.". Noah Webster's Dictionary. ...
/s/stacte.htm - 8k

Storax
... common of these is liquid storax, a brown or gray semifluid substance of an agreeable
aromatic odor and balsamic taste, sometimes used in perfumery, and in ...
/s/storax.htm - 6k

Perfumes (69 Occurrences)

/p/perfumes.htm - 30k

Perfumery: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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