Topical products like balm, ointments, and oils are mentioned in the bible and their importance to people for good health and healing. As we browse through the pages of the bible we would also see even during the old times, perfumes are considered important. It was also started in the bible that even idol worshippers desired to increase their perfume (Isaiah 57:9). By reading different verses we can see the makers of the perfume, the purposes of perfume, and what are the ingredients used in perfumes.
The Perfumers
Perfumes during the ancient times were done by apothecaries (Exodus 30:35). According to R.H Kenneth (1933), there are guilds for perfume makers for men and women. Nehemiah 3:8 states that Hananiah was the son of one of the apothecaries.” The English translation of this verse doesn’t tell us specifically the gender of the perfumer, but looking at Strong’s dictionary would enable us to discover that originally the word used for apothecaries is rak-kawkh (H7546) which means a male ointment or perfume maker. Meanwhile, In 1 Samuel 8:13 we would find the word confectionaries which is equivalent to rak-kaw-kaw which is H7548 in Strong Dictionary which means a female perfume maker or confectioner.
Purposes of Perfumes
1. Praying and Worshipping
One of the commandments of God to Moses was to make an incense that was to be placed in front of the ark of the testimony (Exodus 30:34-38). This perfume would be exclusively used for the Lord. To have a better perspective on why incense or perfumes serves as an important component when worshipping God we could read some verses from the old and new testament. Psalm 141:2 tells us that the person pleading to God was requesting Him to receive his prayers as incense. To unravel why this is his will, three verses in the book of Revelation would enable us to see the connection.
In Revelation 8:3 it is written that the incense shall be combined with the prayers of the saints, hence we can see that the prayers of the saints “ are with the smoke of the incense” in Revelation 8:4. This explains why the prayers of the saints are the odors in the golden vial (Revelation 5:8). This is what happens to our prayers when we tell it to God and this is also how God receives our prayers. Moses, the Levites, and the servants of God understand this hence we could find that during the time of the Old Testament using perfume or incense is required and desired when praying and worshiping God.
2. Cheer us up
Smelling sweet perfume makes us happy. Even the writer of Proverbs agrees with this as it says in Proverbs 27:9 that “perfume rejoices the heart.” Because perfume makes us happy, we can see that the people in the bible, and even us at present finds perfume very valuable.
Composition of Perfumes in the Bible
Two books in the bible which are said to be written by Solomon what perfumes are made of. In Songs of Solomon 3:6, Frankincense and Myrrh are the main ingredients of the perfume. While Proverbs 7:17 tells us that Aloes and Cinnamon are the ingredients used for bed perfume.
Stay fragrant 💋❤
References:
- R. H. Kennett. Ancient Hebrew Social Life And Custom As Indicated In Law Narrative And Metaphor. 1933. Humphrey Milford, Oxford University Press Amen House, EC
- King James Bible Version
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