An ointment was an oily or unctuous preparation mixed with spices, resins, or other aromatics. Ointments were used for medicine, personal fragrance, anointing, and worship; the holy anointing oil was used in tabernacle service.
Definition
An ointment is an oily or unctuous preparation, commonly made by combining oil with spices, resins, myrrh, or other aromatics. Ointments served medicinal and cosmetic purposes and were kept in small alabaster jars or vials so that their fragrance would be preserved.
Biblical Usage
Scripture mentions ointments in medicine, personal use, anointing, worship, and burial. The holy anointing oil used in tabernacle worship was based on olive oil and scented with myrrh, cinnamon, calamus, and cassia. Scented oil also appears in the anointing of Jesus.
Historical Background
Ancient perfumers used the ability of oils and fats to absorb odors. The holy oil was prepared by heating olive oil with powdered aromatics and allowing the mixture to settle. Alabaster vessels were used for storing fragrant oils.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Various fragrant preparations, also compounds for medical purposes, are so called (Ex. 30:25; Ps. 133:2; Isa. 1:6; Amos 6:6; John 12:3; Rev. 18:13).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(An oily or unctuous substance, usually compounded of oil with various spices and resins and aromatics, and preserved in small alabaster boxes or cruses, in which the delicious aroma was best preserved. Some of the ointments have been known to retain their: fragrance for several hundred years. They were a much-coveted luxury, and often very expensive.—ED.)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>oint'-ment: The present use of the word "ointment" is to designate a thick unguent of buttery or tallow-like consistency. the King James Version in frequent instances translates shemen or meshach (see Ex 30:25) "ointment" where a perfumed oil seemed to be indicated. the American Standard Revised Version has consequently substituted the word "oil" in most of the passages. Merqachah is rendered "ointment" once in the Old Testament (Job 41:31 (Hebrew 41:23)). The well-known power of oils and fats to absorb odors was made use of by the ancient perfumers. The composition of the holy anointing oil used in the tabernacle worship is mentioned in Ex 30:23-25. Olive oil formed the base. This was scented with "flowing myrrh .... sweet cinnamon .... sweet calamus .... and .... cassia." The oil was probably mixed with the above ingredients added in a powdered form and heated until the oil had absorbed their odors and then allowed to stand until the insoluble matter settled, when the oil could be decanted. Olive oil, being a non-drying oil which does not thicken readily, yielded an ointment of oily consistency. This is indicated by Ps 133:2, where it says that the precious oil ran down on Aaron's beard and on the collar of his outer garment. Anyone attempting to make the holy anointing oil would be cut off from his people (Ex 30:33). The scented oils or ointments were kept in jars or vials (not boxes) made of alabaster. These jars are frequently found as part of the equipment of ancient tombs.</p><p>The word translated "ointment" in the New Testament is muron, "myrrh." This would indicate that myrrh, an aromatic gum resin, was the substance commonly added to the oil to give it odor. In Lu 7:46 both kinds of oil are mentioned, and the verse might be paraphrased thus: My head with common oil thou didst not anoint; but she hath anointed my feet with costly scented oil.</p><p>For the uses of scented oils or ointments see ANOINTING; OIL.</p><p>James A. Patch</p>
